Olympian Ouellette joins Les Canadiennes staff
Four-time Olympic hockey gold medallist Caroline Ouellette has joined Les Canadiennes as a technical coach this season, the Canadian Women’s Hockey League team announced on Wednesday.
After announcing her retirement from Team Canada on Tuesday, Ouellette was back on the ice in Montreal with Les Canadiennes in her new role as a coach.
Ouellette left an indelible mark on the professional game, winning four Clarkson Cup CWHL titles (2009, ’11, ’12 and ’17) and becoming the CWHL’s all-time leader in points (315) and assists (184).
After giving birth to her first child in 2017, the Montreal native joined Les Canadiennes for the second half of the 2017-18 season, scoring her 131st career goal to surpass Jayna Hefford’s all-time goals record.
The CWHL goals record (132) was established by Ouellette’s teammate, Noémie Marin, last season.
Ouellette was named to the CWHL first all-star team five times, is a two-time league MVP and was named Clarkson Cup MVP in 2012.
Along with her coaching duties with Les Canadiennes, she will remain an assistant coach with the Concordia Stingers and the Canadian national program.
“Thanks to her singular passion, intensity, and drive, Caroline helped define the championship culture at the heart of Les Canadiennes,” Les Canadiennes general manager Meg Hewings said in a release.
“A monumental athlete, mentor, role model and champion of our sport, she has inspired the female game at all levels in Quebec, and throughout the world.
“We will miss her presence on the ice, but are thrilled that she will continue to have an impact on our athletes, and the club’s future, in this new role.”