The Face of a New Era of Canadian Women’s Hockey: Sarah Nurse
Sarah Nurse has become a powerhouse on and off the ice, rewriting the history of women’s hockey in Canada and inspiring a new generation of athletes.
Olympic Success
Nurse made her Olympic debut in 2018 in PyeongChang, South Korea, as a member of Canada’s women’s hockey team. While she established herself as a promising athlete early on, her true breakout came at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, where she claimed a gold medal and set a tournament record with 18 points.
Nurse continued her impressive Olympic journey by leading Team Canada to a silver medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics, earning broader recognition, sponsorships, publicity, and opportunities within the sport and athlete worlds.
At the 2026 Games, Nurse became an endearing figure to Canadians, helping unite the nation as fans from coast to coast rallied to watch Team Canada chase Olympic glory.
The PWHL
In 2023, Nurse began her PWHL career (Professional Women’s Hockey League) by signing with Toronto, becoming one of the league’s first and most high-profile players.
Nurse emerged as an elite forward for the Toronto Sceptres. Over her first two seasons, she racked up impressive numbers, consistently ranking among the league’s top five in points. Her move to the Vancouver Goldeneyes in 2025 stirred both excitement and debate among fans, as some questioned the league’s expansion and Nurse’s high-profile transfer. In 2025-2026, Nurse played 19 out of 30 games (missing 11 due to injury), earning 9 goals and 6 assists. She tied for first with the most goals on her team alongside Jenn Gariner and Sophie Jaques, despite missing 11 games. Recently, Nurse re-signed another 2-year deal with the Goldeneyes. As one of the league's founding stars, she helped attract fans, media attention, and sponsors to the PWHL.
Nurse didn’t just open the door for the PWHL; she has helped expand it. Transforming hockey from a traditionally male-dominated sport into one where women’s professional teams now capture the national spotlight.
Beyond the Ice
Beyond her on-ice achievements, Nurse has been a powerful influence and advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion, working to make the sport more welcoming and accessible for future generations.
She is an idol to many young hockey fans, especially women and girls, and continues to champion representation and positive change within the sport. As Nurse remains with the Vancouver Goldeneyes, her journey continues to reshape women’s hockey and inspire the next generation of players.
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