Marie-Philip Poulin, who led the Victoire to their first Walter Cup championship in 2026 despite a serious knee injury, has announced she will undergo surgery next month. This procedure will force the captain of the Canadian national team to miss the start of the 2026/27 Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) season.
During Canada’s Olympic campaign, Poulin sustained a torn ACL and meniscus. Remarkably, she continued to guide her team to victory in the Walter Cup, demonstrating remarkable resilience amid physical adversity. However, the injury now requires surgical intervention to ensure her long-term playing career at an elite level.
Impact on Upcoming Season and International Play
With the surgery scheduled for next month, Montréal will face the upcoming season without their captain on the ice. Additionally, Poulin’s participation in the World Championships set for نوفمبر is uncertain, potentially ending her impressive streak of competing in major tournaments for 17 consecutive years.
Reflecting on her decision, Poulin expressed the difficulty of the moment but emphasized the necessity of prioritizing her future. “I wanted to be part of this journey that led us to hoist the Walter Cup,” she stated. “It has become clear that if I want to continue playing at a high level, surgery is necessary.” She added, “In the short term, it’s a difficult choice, but if I take a step back and think about the years ahead, the decision is obvious.”