The Last Time in Italy

As the world prepares for the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, it’s worth reflecting on the last time the Olympic Winter Games were in Italy, when Canada won the 2006 women’s hockey gold in Torino with a lot of familiar PWHL faces.

There are no less than 10 members of that team who now work within the PWHL: Cassie Campbell-Pascall (PWHL Special Advisor), Jayna Hefford (EVP of Hockey Operations), Becky Kellar (PWHL Broadcast Team), Gina Kingsbury (Toronto Sceptres GM), Charline Labonté (Vancouver Goldeneyes Player Development Consultant), Carla MacLeod (Ottawa Charge Head Coach), Caroline Ouellette (Montréal Victoire Assistant Coach), Cheryl Pounder (PWHL Broadcast Team), Kim St-Pierre (Montreal Victoire Director of Business Operations) and Vicky Sunohara (Toronto Sceptres Coach Consultant).

That particular Canadian team arrived in Torino carrying the weight of expectation and the confidence of champions. Four years earlier in Salt Lake City, Canada had claimed its first Olympic gold, reasserting itself atop the international game. The task in Italy was not just to win again, but to prove that dominance could be sustained. What unfolded over the next two weeks was one of the most complete Olympic performances in the history of the program and a tournament that, nearly two decades later, continues to shape the women’s game in profound ways.

“I think it was the best Team Canada team we’ve ever had,” Campbell-Pascall told thepwhl.com. “It was definitely the best one I ever played on, but I do think it was the best we’ve ever had. You had the mix of the older players like myself plus the talented younger players starting to make the team.

“We absolutely dominated,” she emphasized, “outscoring our opponents 46-2.”

Canada opened the tournament with a 16–0 win over host Italy, followed by a 12–0 victory against Russia and an 8–1 defeat of Sweden in round-robin play. A 6–0 whitewashing of Finland set up a gold medal rematch against the Swedes, who had upset the United States in the semifinals.

Canada’s 4–1 victory in the gold medal game on February 20, 2006, was decisive and controlled, underscoring the depth and structure of the roster. Goals from Hefford, Ouellette, Gillian Apps and Cherie Piper took care of the offense while Canada’s defensive structure limited Sweden to a single goal. The final score is indicative of the way Canada controlled nearly every facet of play throughout the tournament.

Canada’s second straight Winter Olympic gold medal in women’s hockey further entrenched the program as the sport’s global standard and was the second of four straight golds. But the significance of that 2006 team extends far beyond the scoreboard. We caught up with all the team members now with the PWHL to find out their favorite memories and reflect on how being on that team sticks with them to this day.

Campbell-Pascall captained the Canadian team in Turin, bringing calm authority to a group expected to win every night. Already an Olympic champion from 2002, she was a stabilizing presence in high-pressure moments and a trusted leader within the locker room. Now a Special Advisor to the PWHL, Campbell-Pascall continues to shape the league’s strategic vision, applying the same perspective and credibility that defined her playing career.

“That team always talked about there being a professional league like this someday,” Campbell-Pascall said. “So, it’s no surprise that so many of the players are a part of it — and in leadership roles — now that we have one.”

Hefford was one of the offensive engines of the Turin tournament, finishing amongst Canada’s leading scorers with three goals and four assists. Her speed and ability to generate offense made her nearly impossible to match up with, and her experience—this was her third Olympic medal and second Olympic gold after she potted the clinching goal at 2002 Salt Lake City—was invaluable. Today, Hefford serves as Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations for the PWHL, overseeing league-wide hockey strategy, competition standards, and the on-ice product. Her transition from elite performer to senior executive reflects a throughline that connects Olympic excellence to professional league-building.

“The 2006 team was a special group. It was one of the most consistent teams I was a part of, (always) performing at a high level,” recalled Hefford. “There are now so many members of that team who are still in the game, and particularly in the PWHL. It says a lot about the passion of the group. It’s been incredible to have so many teammates continue to impact the game in leadership, coaching and media capacities.”

Kellar, a veteran of three Olympic Winter Games by the time Torino 2006 concluded, added experience and versatility to the Canadian lineup. Already a gold medalist from 2002, Kellar was known for her consistency and adaptability, capable of contributing offensively while maintaining defensive responsibility. Today, she is part of the PWHL broadcast team, helping bridge generations of the sport by explaining the modern professional game through the lens of her lived hockey experience, which ultimately included four Olympic appearances and three gold medals.

Like her teammates, Kellar reflects fondly on her 2006 experience and recalls the squad’s passion for Tim Hortons: “There was a group of us that would go to the training room every day for our coffee. We named it the ‘Kumbaya cafe’—we needed our Canadian coffee before going on the ice!

“That team was very close,” Kellar added. “The relationships you forge last a lifetime. So many of the women on that team are in the PWHL. I feel like when I see them I think of them as teammates first and always, no matter what role we have moved on to.”

Kingsbury won her first of two straight gold medals in Turin, picking up three assists and contributing all over the ice in a performance that reflected the depth of Canada’s roster. Her on-ice awareness has translated perfectly off the ice, where she has been a successful coach and General Manager. She is the current GM of Canada’s Women’s National Team while holding the same title with the PWHL’s Toronto Sceptres. These roles put her in charge of roster construction and a team’s identity at the highest levels of the sport. And in many ways, the fuel for her success came from 2006.

“My favorite memory of the Games in 2006 was likely the opening ceremonies,” Kingsbury said. “The opportunity to walk into the Opening Ceremony dressed in red and white representing my country was a moment to remember. I think those Games and the Games in 2010 solidified my passion for the game... I went the coaching route which was the opportunity that was the most common for athletes to stay connected. Becoming a GM was never on the radar until I got offered a position with Hockey Canada. I am very grateful for the connections and relationships that I made through my playing career on the national team; it has shaped my life ever since.”

Labonté was the rock at the back of Canada’s stout lineup, serving as goaltender for three crucial games, including the semifinal shutout of Finland and the gold medal win over Sweden. Labonté was an alternate on Canada’s 2002 gold medal-winning team and played for the 2010 and 2014 Olympic champs as well, giving her four gold medals in a decorated playing career. She has remained deeply connected to the sport since retiring, and now serves as a Player Development Consultant for the Vancouver Goldeneyes.

“There is a very intense four years prior to the Olympics that not a lot of people will talk about or almost forget. And most importantly, eight-nine months of extreme training and preparation,” Labonté reflected on her experience. “I remember the ups and downs. The challenges, the wins. I think when you are an athlete right in the middle of it, it is easy to forget about the process, and the learning experiences and lessons we acquire not only as athletes, but as people and humans. We had such a great group with great leaders, and we had a lot of fun together. I think that keeping in mind all of those things, it helps me in my role now as a player development consultant to mentor the players based on lived experiences.”

MacLeod, just 23 years old at the 2006 Games, brought youthful energy and composure to Canada’s defense corps in 2006. The skillful skater racked up two goals and two assists in five games en route to gold in Torino. A natural leader, MacLeod now serves as head coach of the Ottawa Charge, translating lessons from her Olympic experience into leadership behind the bench in the PWHL. What’s more, she also serves as head coach of the Czechia National Team and will be serving in that role in Milano Cortina.

“The privileges associated with playing at that level are endless,” MacLeod told us. “When I think of that time now, 20 years later, it's very simple to know the greatest impact are the people! My coaches then still support me now. My teammates then are still great friends and are making a difference within the game and their communities. The PWHL has allowed so many of us to continue in the game that gave us so much.”

Ouellette was another cornerstone of Canada’s success in 2006. A powerful, intelligent player who made an impact in all three zones, Ouellette scored a first-period goal in the gold medal game. Torino marked her second Olympic gold medal, and she would go on to win two more in 2010 and 2014, cementing one of the most decorated careers in international hockey history. Today, the Hockey Hall of Famer serves as an assistant coach with the Montréal Victoire, bringing her deep understanding of the game to one of the PWHL’s Inaugural Six teams.

“That was a very special team with an incredible mix of veterans and young promising players,” Ouelette shared. “It was the first time in my career I was part of the leadership group, and I learned so much from our Captain Cassie Campbell and veterans like Vicky Sunohara, Danielle Goyette, Becky Kellar and Cheryl Pounder. Cassie said something I'll never forget: We have to agree as a leadership group that we will disagree amongst ourselves, but it can never show for the rest of the team. It taught me the importance of showing unity as leaders despite our differences at times.”

Pounder was a steadying force on the Canadian blue line throughout the Olympic Winter Games Torino 2006. Known for her defensive awareness and physical edge, she notched two goals and two assists over the tournament as she earned her second straight gold medal. Pounder remains a prominent voice in the game today as one of the top analysts for the PWHL broadcast team and a successful public speaker.

“Honestly, the 2006 team had a massive impact on me personally,” Pounder said. “Understanding what a true team is and fully believing that those around me had my back. In turn, it taught me how to have other’s’ backs. True success comes from pushing each other in the same direction. It means learning to have a tough conversation, take ownership and learn what character means.”

St-Pierre was a key part of the goaltending foundation of the 2006 Canadian squad, minding the net in two games in Torino. Already an Olympic gold medalist from 2002, St-Pierre contributed to the overall depth and preparation of the team, and she would go on to win an additional Olympic gold medal in 2010. Today, she holds the role of Director of Business Operations with the Victoire, helping shape the organizational side of the PWHL team playing in her home province.

“My favorite memory of the 2006 Olympics was Danielle Goyette carrying the Canadian flag at the Opening Ceremony,” St-Pierre said. “Seeing a teammate and a true leader walk into the stadium with the maple leaf held high was an incredibly proud moment for all of us,” St-Pierre said. “Being part of the 2006 Olympic team played a huge role in shaping who I am today. On that team, everyone had a role, everyone mattered, and everyone led in their own way. You quickly learn that success is never an individual achievement. It’s built on the people around you... That understanding translates directly into business: every person matters, every role has value, and strong results come from a group that feels supported, trusted, and aligned.”

Sunohara’s role on the 2006 team reflected her enduring importance to Canadian women’s hockey. A three-time Olympian whose career spanned the sport’s formative international years, Sunohara brought leadership, reliability and explosive offense to the forward group. Her understanding of what it takes to succeed as a player translated smoothly into coaching, as she has been head coach of the University of Toronto’s women’s team since 2011 and a coaching consultant with the Sceptres since 2024.

Of 2006 and its impact on her today, Sunohara said, “I remember taking the time to enjoy the entire experience, from the opening ceremonies on, as I knew it was most likely going to be my last Olympic Games. It’s the memories with my teammates, friends and family that I cherish most...It is a privilege to work with the Sceptres and share my experiences. Any opportunity to help the growth and development of this league and the game is something that I value tremendously.”

As a postscript for this amazing collection of women... The 2006 Canadian women’s hockey team was inducted into the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame in 2012, recognized not only for its results but for its enduring impact on the sport. With the Olympic Winter Games back in Italy for the first time since Turin, the legacy of that gold medal team feels especially present. As the women from that team now with the PWHL relayed so beautifully, the gold medal team they were on in 2006 was not just a moment of dominance—it was a foundation. Now, the same women who delivered Olympic excellence in Italy are ensuring that women’s hockey has the structure, visibility, and opportunity to take it to unprecedented heights.

And, as Campbell-Pascall let us know happily, there’s now a thriving group chat amongst the members of this historic team.

Photos courtesy of Hockey Canada