Canadian defender Claire Thompson tonight joined Triple Gold Club, just the sixth woman to do so since the advent of the Walter Cup, after capturing the Cup as part of Minnesota’s back-to-back title, becoming the first Canadian female player to join the club, adding to her World Championship and Olympic Gold medal.

The achievement is a remarkable one for the 27 year old Thompson, only a rookie in the PWHL following her NCAA career at Princeton, being selected third overall by the Frost in the 2024 PWHL Draft. Thompson, who debuted for the Canadian senior national team in 2019, captured World Championship Gold at her debut appearance in 2021, following that up with an Olympic Gold medal in Beijing the following year, notching a staggering 13 points in seven games, being named to the tournament all-star team.

The Toronto native would add Silver medals from the 2023 and 2025 World Championships, after sitting out the 2024 season from both Hockey Canada and the PWHL to complete her medical school obligations at Princeton. Thompson would notch another 18 points in 30 games for the Frost in her rookie season, along with another 6 points in 9 playoff games (including a leading four points in the Finals), and she is a nominee for PWHL Defender of the Year; although, ironically enough, she is not a nominee for Rookie of the Year.

Thompson becomes the sixth woman to join the Club since the Walter Cup debuted last season, and the first Canadian, following five of her American teammates joining last year. She becomes just the second defender after Lee Stecklein to join, and is the first Canadian to join since Jay Bouwmeester captured the Stanley Cup in 2019.

Our congratulations go out to Claire Thompson on her achievement in joining this prestigious club of international hockey stars!

Photo Credit: Pro Hockey News – IIHF – HHOF – IOC