Team Canada Women’s Hockey Team’s exploits received a significant jolt when the USA-Canada rivalry ended with the United States winning 5-0. Team Canada was undefeated at that point, but it entered the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on February 10 to take on its most formidable foe, the United States, without the leadership of Captain Marie-Philip Poulin.
Poulin’s absence was a giant blow to Team Canada, and the community has since hoped for the 34-year-old’s speedy recovery. Fortunately, fans finally have an update about her health.
Marie-Philip Poulin on the Path to Recovery After Missing Canada vs. United States
Under Poulin’s deft leadership, Canada continued its victorious march. In its opening Olympic game against Switzerland, the Maple Leaf secured a thoroughly dominant 4-0 victory. The team also had the last laugh against the Czech Republic 5-1; however, it had adverse repercussions for the team’s captain.
An unpleasant encounter with Kristyna Kaltounkova caused the captain to exit from the game prematurely.
Kaltounkova’s brutal hit in the first period sent Poulin crashing into the boards. Team Canada’s captain was spotted lying prone on the ice, and even though she left unassisted, the sight of her in agony on the bench was a warning sign, and even though the resilient captain tried to return, the worst followed. Poulin was ruled out of Canada’s showdown against the United States.
However, recently, Team Canada’s HC has provided an encouraging update about Poulin’s recovery. Her Olympics stint may not be over just yet. While Poulin is not playing against Finland, she has begun to skate and is feeling well. Troy Ryan further informed that she might be back in a couple of days.
“Canada’s Head Coach Troy Ryan says that Captain Marie-Philip Poulin skated this morning with medical staff and coaches, and ‘she felt well, obviously not good enough right now to put her in the game (against Finland), so an extra couple days will do her justice,” Claire Hanna shared on her social media.
Canada’s Head Coach Troy Ryan says that Captain Marie-Philip Poulin skated this morning with medical staff and coaches and “she felt well, obviously not good enough right now to put her in the game (against Finland) so an extra couple days will do her justice.”@CBCOlympics… pic.twitter.com/353Bk9YGzP
— Claire Hanna (@clahanna) February 12, 2026
Poulin is a seasoned player and is much-respected in the locker room. Goaltender Ann-Renée Desbiens expressed the team’s love and support for its captain during such a difficult moment, stating that Poulin should prioritize getting better at the moment.
“I hope she puts all her time right now to recover, rest, get better not only to compete with this team but just to be able to compete as an athlete. And then I know she’s going to have an impact. Regardless of when she’s going to come back, she’s somebody that will always cheer us on and be the heart of this team. That won’t change,” Desbiens said, as reported by Sportsnet’s Luke Fox.
Despite the injury struggle, which has compromised Poulin’s ability to stay with her team in Milan-Cortina, she has earned the respect, adoration, and love of the entire community.
