Canadian Olympian Claire Thompson retires from PWHL to pursue medical career

Defender Claire Thompson, one of Canada's top women's hockey players, is retiring from the sport to become a doctor. The 28-year-old played with the PWHL's Vancouver Goldeneyes last season.

The audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results.

Former Goldeneyes defender Claire Thompson set an Olympic record for points by a defender with 13 at the 2022 Beijing Games and finished with 17 points in 14 career Olympic games. (Ethan Cairns/Canadian Press/File)

One of Canada's top women's hockey players is retiring from the sport to become a doctor.

Defender Claire Thompson announced her retirement Thursday on Instagram and in an exclusive interview with The Athletic.

The 28-year-old Toronto native won Olympic gold with Canada at the 2022 Beijing Games and silver earlier this year in Milan after putting her medical career on hold for two years.

Thompson set an Olympic record for points by a defender with 13 in Beijing and finished with 17 points in 14 career Olympic games.

She also won the Walter Cup with the PWHL’s Minnesota Frost in 2025 before spending last season with the expansion Vancouver Goldeneyes.

Copyright for this text belongs to CBC.