Canada Hockey’s Marie-Philip Poulin has been voted the Canadian Press’s Female Athlete of the Year.
“It sure tops up the year. I think 2022, when I take a little time to myself and rethink it, it’s quite amazing, not only personally, but as a group,” Poulin told CP.
“A big thank you to people that voted, but this goes to the people around me, my teammates.”
The 31-year-old forward from Beauceville, Que., this year became the only hockey player in the world, male or female, to score goals in four consecutive Olympic hockey finals.
Her two goals, including the eventual game-winner, drove Canada to a 3-2 win over archrival United States for gold Feb. 17 in Beijing’s Wukesong Arena.
With quick passing and shooting hands, peerless hockey sense and a sense of occasion, Poulin has produced seven goals in her four Olympic finals, including a late equalizer and an overtime winner in Sochi, Russia in 2014.
She’s captained Canada to back-to-back world championships in 2021 and 2022 after a run of five straight titles by the U.S.
After scoring the OT winner in the 2021 world final in Calgary, Poulin had five goals and five assists in seven games in September when Canada defended its crown in Herning, Denmark.
“Poulin played a massive role on one of the most successful team performances in a long time,” said Victoria Times-Colonist sports editor Brian Drewry. “She led on and off the ice while thriving in the spotlight.”
The Canadian Press began recognizing male and female athletes of the year in 1932.
CP’s male athlete of the year will be announced Thursday and the team of the year Friday.
