Caroline Ouellette

Caroline Ouellette OC (born May 25, 1979) is a Canadian former ice hockey player and current associate head coach of the Concordia Stingers women's ice hockey program.^[1] She was a member of the Canadian national women's ice hockey team and a member of Canadiennes de Montreal in the Canadian Women's Hockey League. Among her many accomplishments are four Olympic gold medals, 12 IIHF Women's World Championship medals (six gold, six silver), 12 Four Nations Cup medals (eight gold, four silver) and four Clarkson Cup championships.

Caroline Ouellette OC
Hockey Hall of Fame, 2023
Ouellette with the Montreal Stars in 2011
Born	(1979-05-25) May 25, 1979 (age 45) Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Height	5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight	172 lb (78 kg; 12 st 4 lb)
Position	Forward
Shot	Left
Played for	Montreal Wingstar Minnesota Whitecaps Les Canadiennes de Montréal
National team	Canada
Playing career	1999–2018
Medal record Women's ice hockey Representing  Canada Olympic Games 2002 Salt Lake City Team 2006 Turin Team 2010 Vancouver Team 2014 Sochi Team IIHF World Women's Championships 1999 Finland Team 2000 Canada Team 2001 United States Team 2004 Canada Team 2007 Canada Team 2012 United States Team 2005 Sweden Team 2008 China Team 2009 Finland Team 2011 Switzerland Team 2013 Canada Team 2015 Sweden Team

Ouellette is in the Top 10 in all-time NCAA scoring with 229 career points. She is a member of the Triple Gold Club (not officially recognized by the IIHF for women) as one of only three women to win the Clarkson Cup, an Olympic gold medal and an IIHF Women's World Championship gold medal. Along with teammates Jayna Hefford and Hayley Wickenheiser, Ouellette is one of only five athletes to win gold in four consecutive Olympic games.^[2]

Nicknamed Caro by her teammates, she started playing hockey at the age of nine. She is the co-founder of athletichub.com, which helps student-athletes navigate the recruitment process, and an ambassador for Right to Play and Carrément Rose.

Ouellette retired as a player from Canada's national women's team on September 25, 2018.^[3] In 2023, she was inducted into both the IIHF Hall of Fame and the Hockey Hall of Fame.^[4][5]

Playing career

Ouellette played for Team Quebec at the 1995 Canada Winter Games, and won gold for Canada's Under 18 team in 1997.^[6] When the Canadian Under 19 women's hockey team was founded on May 15, 1996, Ouellette was one of the players named to the team. One of her teammates was future Olympic speed skater Cindy Klassen.^[7] The head coach was Daniele Sauvageau^[8] Ouellette represented Team Quebec at the 1998 Esso women's hockey nationals. She scored a goal and two assists in the bronze medal game, as Team Quebec was awarded the Maureen McTeer Trophy.^[9] During the 2011 IIHF Eight Nations Tournament, Ouellette assisted on all three goals as Canada defeated Finland by a 3–2 tally in round robin play.^[10] In the gold medal game of the 2011 Four Nations Cup, Ouellette notched a goal in a 4–3 loss.^[11] Ouellette has taken part in 3 Olympic Games, 9 World Championships and 9 Four Nations Cups. In 157 international games with Team Canada, Ouellette has racked up 169 points. In a game versus Russia at the 2012 IIHF Women's World Championship, Ouellette logged three assists in a 14–1 victory.^[12] Ouellette would score the game-winning goal in overtime versus the United States in the final game at the 2012 IIHF Women's World Championship, as Canada claimed the gold medal.^[13]

NCAA

Ouellette attended the University of Minnesota Duluth and played for the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs women's ice hockey program. Ouellette set an NCAA record for most shorthanded goals in one game with 2. This was accomplished on November 14, 2003, versus North Dakota.^[14] In the 2004–05 season, Ouellette was a factor on more than 60 percent of goals scored by the Bulldogs. Among the top nine scorers on the Bulldogs, she had nine penalties, which were the fewest. Throughout her NCAA career, she never had double digits in penalties. By season's end, she was one of three finalists for the Patty Kazmaier Award.

Ouellette is ranked third in all-time leading scoring in Bulldogs history and was named to the WCHA All-Decade team in 2009.^[15] She joined the national team in 1999 and has won four world championships (1999, 2000, 2001 and 2004) and four Olympic gold medals with the team (2002, 2006, 2010 and 2014).

CWHL

Ouellette, playing forward

During the 2000–01 NWHL season, Ouellette played with the Montreal Wingstar and finished third in league scoring with 53 points.^[16] She would also spend one season competing with the Minnesota Whitecaps in the former Western Women's Hockey League. In 2008–09, Ouellette joined the Montreal Stars. She won CWHL Top Scorer of the Month honours in November (tying the league record with 19 points in just six games) and December. At year's end, she was named CWHL Most Valuable Player. By winning a third gold medal in women's Olympic hockey, she became the Bulldog hockey player with the most gold medals.^[17]

By winning the 2009 Clarkson Cup, Ouellette became an unofficial member of the Triple Gold Club (the accomplishment by women is not yet officially recognized by the IIHF), as she became one of only three women (at the time) to win the Clarkson Cup, a gold medal in ice hockey at the 2002 Winter Olympics, and a gold medal at the IIHF World Women's Championships.^[18]

In 2010–11, Ouellette won the Angela James Bowl as the CWHL's scoring leader with 68 points. She also became the first two-winner of the league's Most Valuable Player award. In the championship game of the 2011 Clarkson Cup, Ouellette led all scorers with three points (one goal, two assists).^[19]

On December 11, 2016, Ouellette logged a pair of assists, eclipsing the 300-point mark. Of note, Ouellette became the first player in the history of the CWHL to reach this plateau.

Coaching career

For the 2007–2008 season, Ouellette was an assistant coach with the University of Minnesota Duluth women's hockey team alongside American Olympic ice hockey player Julie Chu. With Hockey Canada, she was an assistant coach for the Women's National Under-18 Team for a three-game series vs. the US in August 2008. She joined the coaching staff of the Concordia Stingers women's ice hockey program in the autumn of 2012.

Personal life

Ouellette graduated from the University of Minnesota Duluth in 2005 with a degree in criminology and women's studies, and she graduated from the National Police Academy in Quebec in 2000. She played for Quebec in softball at the 1997 Summer Canada Games. On September 11, 2010, the Centre Etienne Desmarteau in Montreal, named one of the two rinks in the arena in Ouellette's honour.^[20] Caroline Ouellette is involved in raising funds for the Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation, a disease that has affected the Ouellette family.^[21] On January 21, 2011, Ouellette, along with University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldog alumni Jenny Potter and Maria Rooth, took part in a ceremonial faceoff to mark the first ever game at Amsoil Arena at her alma mater in Duluth.^[22]

She participated in various festivities commemorating the 2012 NHL All-Star Game in Ottawa, Ontario. Said festivities included an interview (along with a fan question and answer period) at the Sirius XM Stage at the Scotiabank NHL Fan Fair,^[23] the Energizer Night Skate at the Ottawa Rink of Dreams (relocated from the Rideau Canal),^[24] and attended the Molson Canadian NHL All-Star Skills Competition on Saturday, January 28, 2012. On April 17, 2012, Ouellette (along with Meghan Agosta, Gillian Apps, Courtney Birchard, and head coach Dan Church) took part in the opening faceoff of the playoff game between the Ottawa Senators and the New York Rangers at ScotiaBank Place.^[25]

Ouellette is married to American hockey player and Olympic silver-medalist Julie Chu.^[26] Ouellette and Chu announced the birth of their daughter Liv in November 2017.^[27][28] They welcomed their second child, Tessa, in May 2021.^[29]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1998–99	Bonaventure Wingstar	NWHL		27	32	28	60	6		—	—	—	—	—
1999–00	Montreal Wingstar	NWHL		25	26	27	53	6		—	—	—	—	—
2000–01	Concordia University	RSEQ		7	12	7	19	0		—	—	—	—	—
2000–01	Montreal Wingstar	NWHL		29	21	34	55	22		—	—	—	—	—
2002–03	University of Minnesota Duluth	WCHA		32	31	42	73	16		—	—	—	—	—
2003–04	University of Minnesota Duluth	WCHA		32	29	47	76	16		—	—	—	—	—
2003–04	University of Minnesota Duluth	WCHA		33	32	48	80	18		—	—	—	—	—
2005–06	Montreal Axion	NWHL		—	—	—	—	—		2	0	3	3	0
2007–08	Minnesota Whitecaps	WWHL		9	7	9	16	0		1	1	3	4	0
2008–09	Montréal Stars	CWHL		24	25	33	58	6		—	—	—	—	—
2010–11	Montréal Stars	CWHL		29	22	46	68	16		4	1	5	6	4
2011–12	Montréal Stars	CWHL		27	30	36	66	12		4	5	3	8	2
2012–13	Montréal Stars	CWHL		23	13	13	26	14		4	1	1	2	6
2013–14	Montréal Stars	CWHL		2	2	0	2	4		3	0	3	3	2
2014–15	Montréal Stars	CWHL		22	8	18	26	18		3	1	2	3	0
2015–16	Les Canadiennes de Montréal	CWHL		24	15	17	32	18		3	4	6	10	0
2016–17	Les Canadiennes de Montréal	CWHL		22	15	16	31	4		—	—	—	—	—
2017–18	Les Canadiennes de Montréal	CWHL		6	1	4	5	2		2	0	0	0	0
WWHL/NWHL totals				90	86	98	184	34		3	1	6	7	0
CWHL totals				179	131	183	314	94		23	12	20	32	14

International

Year	Team	Event	Result		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1999	Canada	WC			5	2	5	7	4
2000	Canada	WC			5	0	2	2	2
2001	Canada	WC			5	2	3	5	4
2002	Canada	OG			5	2	4	6	6
2004	Canada	WC			5	3	6	9	0
2005	Canada	WC			5	2	6	8	0
2006	Canada	OG			5	5	4	9	4
2007	Canada	WC			5	1	3	4	2
2008	Canada	WC			5	2	4	6	4
2009	Canada	WC			5	3	5	8	6
2010	Canada	OG			5	2	9	11	2
2011	Canada	WC			5	1	2	3	2
2012	Canada	WC			5	4	5	9	6
2013	Canada	WC			4	1	2	3	2
2014	Canada	OG			5	0	0	0	2
2015	Canada	WC			5	2	2	4	2
WC Totals					59	23	45	68	34
OG Totals					20	11	19	30	14

Awards and honours

Ouellette's nickname is Caro, short for Caroline

Hockey Canada

• 2019 Hockey Canada Female Breakthrough Award^[30]
• Isobel Gathorne-Hardy Award, 2013

CWHL

• Clarkson Cup Top Forward, 2009
• Clarkson Cup Top Scorer, 2009
• CWHL Most Valuable Player, 2008–09 and 2010–11
• CWHL First All-Star Team, 2008–09
• Angela James Bowl, 2010–11

NCAA

• Caroline Ouellette, 2003 NCAA Division I Women's Ice Hockey Tournament Most Valuable Player ^[31]
• Caroline Ouellette, NCAA leader, 2003–04 season, Points per game, 2.38
• Caroline Ouellette, NCAA leader, 2003–04 season, Assists per game, 1.47
• February 7, 2005: Caroline Ouellette became the third Minnesota Duluth player to be named a Patty Kazmaier Top-10 Finalist for two straight seasons.^[32]
• March 3, 2005: Caroline Ouellette is named UMD's first ever WCHA Student-Athlete of the Year, while also earning a spot on the All-WCHA First Team. In addition, she is named to the WCHA All-Academic Team.^[33]
• March 6, 2005: Caroline Ouellette is named to the WCHA All-Tournament Team.^[34]
• March 14, 2005: Caroline Ouellette becomes the second Bulldog to be named a Patty Kazmaier Top-3 Finalist.^[35]
• March 23, 2005: Caroline Ouellette is honored with the USCHO.com Sportsmanship Award^[36] and a Second Team selection.^[37]
• March 28, 2005: Caroline Ouellette is named a CCM All-America First Team selection for the second straight season.^[38]

National honours

• In the 2019 Canadian honours, she was appointed as an Officer of the Order of Canada. This will give her the Post Nominal Letters "OC" for Life.^[39]
• In 2023, she was inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame.^[40][41][42]

References

1. "Caroline Ouellette takes on new full-time role with women's hockey". Concordia University Athletics (Press release). July 8, 2021. Archived from the original on July 8, 2021. Retrieved July 20, 2021.
2. "Hefford, Apps, Ward retire from Canadian women's hockey team". CBC Sports. The Canadian Press. September 10, 2015. Archived from the original on September 11, 2015. Retrieved September 10, 2015.
3. "Caroline Ouellette retires from Canada's national women's team". Hockey Canada. September 25, 2018. Archived from the original on September 28, 2018. Retrieved September 29, 2018.
4. Nicholas J. Cotsonika (June 21, 2023). "Barrasso, Lundqvist, Vernon voted to Hockey Hall of Fame Class of 2023". NHL.com. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
5. Lamarche, Michel (November 10, 2023). "Goyette et Sauvageau ne sont pas étonnées de l'intronisation de Caroline Ouellette". Le Droit (in French). La Presse Canadienne. Retrieved November 11, 2023.
6. Canadian Gold 2010, Andrew Podnieks, p. 152, Fenn Publishing, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, ISBN 978-1-55168-384-3
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8. "The Official Website of Hockey Canada". Hockeycanada.ca. Archived from the original on November 24, 2010. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
9. "Alberta downs Ontario 3–2 in Overtime in Gold Medal Final to win 1998 Esso Women's Nationals Hockey Championship". Hockey Canada. March 22, 1998. Archived from the original on November 24, 2010. Retrieved June 28, 2010.
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19. "- CWHL – Canadian Women's Hockey League". Archived from the original on August 14, 2011. Retrieved March 29, 2011.
20. "News – CWHL – Canadian Women's Hockey League". Archived from the original on October 2, 2011. Retrieved 2011-05-28.
21. "NWT.001". Archived from the original on June 7, 2012. Retrieved January 26, 2011.
22. "UMD Bulldogs – News". Archived from the original on July 17, 2011. Retrieved 2011-02-17.
23. Kalan, David (January 26, 2012). "Women's hockey greats to promote sport in Ottawa". NHL.com. Archived from the original on January 30, 2016. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
24. "Bulletin: Energizer® Night Skate™ at NHL® All-Star moved to Rink of Dreams at Marion Dewar Plaza". NHL.com. Archived from the original on February 22, 2014. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
25. Agosta, Meghan (April 17, 2012). "Agosta: Canada soaking up gold medal victory". NHL.com. Archived from the original on August 20, 2022. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
26. "Former women's hockey rivals welcome baby". BBC News. November 13, 2017. Archived from the original on November 9, 2020. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
27. Jay, Michelle (November 10, 2017). "Julie Chu and Caroline Ouellette welcome baby to family". The Ice Garden. Archived from the original on December 23, 2017. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
28. Kassam, Ashifa (November 15, 2017). "Canada-US ice hockey rivalry thaws as former captains have child together". The Guardian. Archived from the original on November 17, 2017. Retrieved November 16, 2017.
29. Donato, Al (May 19, 2020). "Hockey's Favourite Couple Welcome 2nd Baby, And She Has A Skater's Name". HuffPost Canada. Archived from the original on May 21, 2020. Retrieved July 20, 2021.
30. "2019 Hockey Canada Award Winners". hockeycanada.ca. Archived from the original on May 18, 2021. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
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36. Site Administrator (March 22, 2005). "USCHO.com's 2004–05 D-I Women's Year-End Honors | College Hockey". USCHO.com. Archived from the original on October 6, 2012. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
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39. Zimonjic, Peter (December 27, 2019). "Nobel laureate Donna Strickland, James Cameron, Inuk actor Johnny Issaluk among Order of Canada appointees". CBC. Archived from the original on December 27, 2019. Retrieved December 28, 2019.
40. Harvey-Pinard, Katherine (December 9, 2022). "Caroline Ouellette au temple de la renommée de l'IIHF". La Presse (in French). Montreal, Quebec. Retrieved June 13, 2023.
41. Podnieks, Andrew (December 9, 2022). "honours international mix for Hall of Fame '23". IIHF. Archived from the original on December 12, 2022. Retrieved December 11, 2022.
42. Potts, Andy (May 28, 2023). "Celebrating a century of legends". IIHF. Retrieved June 13, 2023.

External links

• Biographical information and career statistics from Eliteprospects.com
• Caroline Ouellette website
• Live The Dream, Caroline Ouellette, Life After the World Championships for Ouellette
• (in French) Interview de Caroline Ouellette à la revue Elle Québec

Preceded by Sabrina Harbec (2010)	Angela James Bowl 2011	Succeeded by Meghan Agosta (2012)