Q&A: Marie-Philip Poulin talks 2025, being ‘Captain Clutch,’ playing alongside Stacey

Montreal Victoire's Marie-Philip Poulin (29) waits for a face off against the Toronto Sceptres during second period PWHL hockey action in Vancouver, on Wednesday, January 8, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns

Marie-Philip Poulin’s exploits on the ice are well-documented.

She’s “Captain Clutch,” the scorer of three game-winning goals in Olympic gold-medal games. Even at 34, Poulin delivered one of her best individual years in 2025, winning the PWHL, IIHF and world women’s hockey championship MVP awards.

But what’s she like off ice? The Canadian and Montreal Victoire captain sat down for a conversation about everything from her standout year to what it’s like playing alongside her wife, Laura Stacey.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

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CP: You had a massive past year. How do you look back on the last 12 months from an individual standpoint?

POULIN: “I’d for sure exchange a couple of these awards for the big ones, but I mean, I’m not there by myself. There’s a team beside me that allows me to play the best I can. And honestly, yes, individually there were some trophies, but it’s not very satisfying if you don’t get the big ones, so to me it’s just more motivation.”

CP: What were your challenges in 2025 — on or off the ice?

POULIN: “If we look at the Montreal Victoire, losing in the playoffs after such a great year, it’s never fun. You never wanna let down your teammates, your fans, and I feel that’s what we did the last two years. So it is a challenge, and it’s how we’re gonna get back up from that.”

CP: The Walter Cup is just about the only thing missing from your trophy chest. How front of mind is that?

POULIN: “Starting this league, you want to win that big championship. It’s an Olympic year as well, you want to win that gold medal. Those are all goals I think for everybody that has the chance to compete in those. But at the end of the day, you have that big goal, but you have to focus on the process. I know it’s there, but to me, I can’t get there if I don’t get better day in and day out.”

CP: What’s it like being ‘Captain Clutch’?

POULIN: (laughs) “It’s normal. I think it’s more Marie-Philip Poulin. I’m a basic human. I just love what I’m doing. I’m passionate about what I’m doing.”

CP: Does living up to that nickname add pressure?

POULIN: “There is pressure. For myself, it’s just part of it. I’ve learned to embrace it. You get to be in those moments for a reason. Yes, I’m the lucky one. Sometimes I’m in those big moments, but hockey’s a team sport. I’m not there by myself. When you get in those moments, nowadays I’m more enjoying it. I’m like, ‘Wow, OK, here we are in overtime.’ Why? Because that’s how we train all summer long, to be in those moments. When you do that extra rep when no one is watching, you’re ready for those moments. That’s something that I truly believe in, preparation. There’s no magic potion.”

CP: What’s something fans would be surprised to learn you’re good at, outside of sports?

POULIN: “I mean, I love a good karaoke, but it depends at what time of the night, you know?” (Her go-to song is “To Be with You” by Mr. Big.)

CP: What’s something you’re terrible at?

POULIN: “Oh, lots. Drawing, musical aspect is tough for me, for sure. Yeah, the art part. When I was at school, my mom did most of my art projects, because the only thing I would draw was a hockey player.”

CP: You seem to attend a lot of sporting events. What was your favourite thing this year?

POULIN: “For sure, the Blue Jays, in terms of a team spirit and being behind that team, it was quite crazy. Being at Game 6, 7, seeing the whole country behind the Blue Jays was something quite special. There’s another moment that was pretty special this summer, attending “En direct de l’univers” on Radio-Canada. It was a very cool TV show that I did. It was a full hour of surprises, people coming from my family, different people singing for me, so that was quite cool.”

CP: Speaking of the Blue Jays, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. wearing your Canada jersey before Game 7 made a lot of news. Do you know how that came together, or were you surprised?

POULIN: “I had no idea. I was waking up from a nap, and I got a couple of messages saying, ‘Holy, Vladdy’s wearing your jersey!’ At first, I was quite confused and finally realized that he actually was wearing my jersey. I don’t know exactly how it came about, but it was quite a nice surprise and the amount of people that reached out, how amazing it was for women’s sport, that was pretty cool to see.”

CP: What’s it like having your wife as not just your teammate, but your linemate?

POULIN: “It’s funny because if we looked four years ago, I don’t think we would have ever thought that we would be playing on the same line. How she’s grown as a player, it’s been unbelievable to see and kudos to her. She wants to be better, she asks questions, she’s always the first in the gym, on the ice. It used to be me, and now she’s pulling me … It’s not always easy, not gonna lie. We are spending 24 hours together on the ice, off the ice. We’re not easy on each other as well. If there’s a bad pass, we’re for sure going to let each other know. It’s funny, but that’s how competitive we are.”

CP: Do you get chirped about it by opponents?

POULIN: “No, I mean at first a little bit, but I feel now people see what we can do, see how much pride we take. I think people have been nice.”

CP: What about teammates?

POULIN: “They know sometimes how to get under our skin for sure, but it’s always funny.”

CP: Do you two talk hockey at home, or do you try to leave it at the rink?

POULIN: “We do mention that often, that we kind of have to put a pause, or when we get to our house, that the game is over, we don’t talk about it. But we’re quite competitive. Sometimes we wake up the next morning, and we’re like, ‘Oh, you remember this?’ And then we still talk about it.”

CP: Is it true you’ll sometimes drive around the block a few times after a game?

POULIN: “We do have a good 45 minutes to drive (after games), so we talk about it, and obviously we’re not done when we get home, so sometimes we take a little bit of a detour to make sure when we cross that door, it’s over.”

CP: Is it hard sometimes to do the opposite, where maybe you’ve had an argument before heading to the rink?

POULIN: “I think we’re pretty good at putting on a face, knowing we’re coming to work and this is not going to interfere with our teammates, our team … It doesn’t happen often. I think we know now that it’s part of it, and we leave it at home, and then when we get back home, we’re going to get back at it.”

CP: How much pride do you take in Laura’s development, which is an example of a player growing into a bigger role in the PWHL?

POULIN: “When you get to the national team, we don’t have that much time together. You have to form a team, and you’re on that line at that tournament. To see what the PWHL has done for some of those players, where they evolve, grow, have a bigger role on a team, and you see them take so much pride in that. Laura’s a perfect example of just wanting to be better, not wanting to settle to where she’s at. She wanted to keep improving, keep getting better, and that’s what she’s done from Year 1 to Year 3 in the PWHL. She’s been a really key element in the Montreal Victoire. With her shot, speed, leadership, it’s something that’s unbelievable and to see where she’s at now.”

CP: What’s your level of anticipation for the Olympics, especially as a pro this time?

POULIN: “Usually, we get centralized, we’re together for six months. Everything is so new, but it’s fun. We get to be in the PWHL. … We got to have three (national) camps before the season. We connected, got on the ice together, but honestl,y when we’re on our own or on our PWHL team, we trust that we’re doing the work. We know it’s going to come up quickly, the Olympics.”

CP: Are you able to enjoy the holiday season when the Olympics are around the corner?

POULIN: “It’s in the back of your mind. To me, again, preparation is key, and I am going to enjoy it, but it’s still there for sure. Less maple syrup, less dessert.”

CP: Favourite holiday tradition?

POULIN: “I love a nice raclette or fondue with my family, and a maple fondue for dessert.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 17, 2025.

Daniel Rainbird, The Canadian Press