Injured women’s star Marie-Philip Poulin practices ahead of Canada’s Olympic quarters

Canadian forward Marie-Philip Poulin (29) after taking a hit against Czechia in women's hockey at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics in Milan on Monday, Feb. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

MILAN — Marie-Philip Poulin was one of the first players on the ice Friday.

The captain of Canada’s women’s hockey team was again testing out an injured right knee that kept her out of the country’s last two games at the Milan Cortina Olympics.

Poulin’s full participation was a good sign. It also doesn’t mean she’ll be good to go against Germany in Saturday’s quarterfinals.

“We’ll see,” she said following the skate. “It’s daily”.

The 34-year-old grabbed her knee after taking a hit into the boards during Canada’s 5-1 preliminary round victory over Czechia on Monday. Poulin played part of the ensuing power play, but quickly headed back to the bench and didn’t return to the action.

“Grabbed my knee a little bit there and a little tweak,” the three-time Olympic gold medallist added in her first public comments since the injury. “It did hurt, still hurts, but it’s part of it. That’s why we have a team here. Unbelievable physio and docs have been helping me.”

Poulin missed Tuesday’s 5-0 loss to the United States and could also only look on during Thursday’s 5-0 victory over Finland.

The five-time Olympian skated before the game against the Finns, which gave Canadian head coach Troy Ryan hope she would be part of Friday’s session.

“Late last night, early this morning, I was anticipating it probably being in a different (non-contact jersey) colour,” he said. “But further conversations with the medical group, they assured us that she could be on a line and can do a full practice … too early right now to jump and say she’d be in the lineup.”

“We want to make sure we manage it,” Ryan added. “That we’re setting her up for success, and our team up, for when she does come back.”

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Poulin skated on a line between Daryl Watts and Sarah Fillier on Friday. She also took part in power-play drills at the Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena practice rink, which has taken over a section of a sprawling exhibition complex on Milan’s west side.

The talismanic centre added she would “be lying” if the thought didn’t cross her mind that her Games could be over in the moments after getting hurt.

“It puts things in perspective,” Poulin said. “When you get back on that ice with that team, it’s really special.”

The Beauceville, Que., product is the active leader in goals in Olympic women’s hockey with 17 — and one off the record held by former teammate Hayley Wickenheiser.

Poulin, who suits up in the Professional Women’s Hockey League with the Montreal Victoire, has scored seven goals across four Olympic finals, the only male or female player to do so.

“She’s as tough as they come,” Ryan said. “It’s a testament to the work she does behind the scenes. She trains like nobody else, so she puts herself in these situations that she can rebound and still find ways to contribute and have an impact.”

Canada (3-0-0-1) finished second in Group A behind the unbeaten Americans. The semifinals go Monday, before Thursday’s medal round.

Veteran forward Natalie Spooner was relieved to see Poulin back at practice.

“The heartbeat of our team,” she said. “To have her out there is what we need.”

Spooner also has little doubt that whenever Poulin returns to the lineup, it will be a full-throttle return.

“She always finds a way,” Spooner said. “She has these injuries, and she’ll come back, and she’ll still score those big goals and play out of her mind. She’s someone that we can always count on to grind through whatever she’s going through and give it her best.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 13, 2026.

Joshua Clipperton, The Canadian Press