Best Female Hockey Players Of All Time
Women have been playing ice hockey for over a century now, and the game has seen some incredible players over the years. From players who have made their mark in the early days of women's hockey to the modern era, the sport has seen some truly great athletes. Here's a look at the best female hockey players of all time.
1. Hayley Wickenheiser
Hayley Wickenheiser is without a doubt one of the greatest female ice hockey players of all time. The Canadian forward played for the national team for 23 years, from 1994 to 2017, and won four Olympic gold medals and one silver. She also helped Canada win seven World Championships and is the all-time leading scorer for the national team. Wickenheiser retired from competitive hockey in 2017 and is now serving as the assistant director of player development for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
2. Cammi Granato
Cammi Granato was one of the pioneers of women's hockey in the United States. She played for the national team for 16 years and won a gold medal at the 1998 Olympics, the first year the event was contested for women. Granato was also the captain of the U.S. team that won a silver medal at the 2002 Olympics. She retired from competitive hockey in 2005 and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2010.
3. Angela Ruggiero
Angela Ruggiero is one of the most decorated female ice hockey players of all time. She played for the U.S. national team for 16 years and won four Olympic medals, including one gold. Ruggiero was also part of the team that won four World Championships and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2015. She is now serving as the chief strategy officer for the Los Angeles Kings.
4. Manon Rhéaume
Manon Rhéaume is a Canadian goaltender who made history by becoming the first woman to play in an NHL exhibition game. Rhéaume played for the Canadian national team for 11 years and won two Olympic silver medals. She also played professionally in men's leagues in both Canada and the United States. Rhéaume retired from competitive hockey in 1999 and is now a motivational speaker and a coach.
5. Marie-Philip Poulin
Marie-Philip Poulin is a Canadian forward who has made her mark in both international and professional hockey. Poulin played for the national team for 10 years and won two Olympic gold medals, scoring the game-winning goals in both the 2010 and 2014 finals. She has also played professionally in both Canada and the United States, winning a Clarkson Cup in 2019. Poulin is currently playing for Les Canadiennes de Montreal in the Canadian Women's Hockey League.
6. Meghan Duggan
Meghan Duggan is an American forward who has been playing for the national team since 2007. Duggan has won seven World Championships and two Olympic silver medals. She is also a three-time winner of the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award, which is given to the top player in women's college hockey. Duggan announced her retirement from competitive hockey in October 2021, but she will remain involved in the sport as an analyst for ESPN.
7. Cassie Campbell
Cassie Campbell is a retired Canadian forward who played for the national team for 11 years. Campbell won two Olympic gold medals and six World Championships. She was also the captain of the Canadian team that won a gold medal at the 2002 Olympics. Campbell retired from competitive hockey in 2006 and is now a broadcaster for Hockey Night in Canada and Sportsnet.
8. Caroline Ouellette
Caroline Ouellette is a retired Canadian forward who played for the national team for 16 years. Ouellette won four Olympic gold medals and six World Championships. She is also the all-time leading scorer for the Canadian national team. Ouellette retired from competitive hockey in 2018 and is now an assistant coach for the Concordia Stingers women's hockey team.
9. Jayna Hefford
Jayna Hefford is a retired Canadian forward who played for the national team for 17 years. Hefford won four Olympic gold medals and seven World Championships. She is also the all-time leading scorer for the Canadian women's hockey team in Olympic play. Hefford retired from competitive hockey in 2015 and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2018.
10. Hilary Knight
Hilary Knight is an American forward who has been playing for the national team since 2007. Knight has won seven World Championships and two Olympic silver medals. She is also a two-time winner of the IIHF Women's World Championship Most Valuable Player award. Knight currently plays for the Boston Pride in the National Women's Hockey League.
These women have left an indelible mark on the sport of ice hockey and have inspired generations of young girls to take up the game. Their incredible skill, determination, and passion for the sport have made them true legends of the game.