Hayley Wickenheiser holds several Olympics records, some of which might fall - one which won't.
photo: Andre Ringuette / HHOF-IIHF Images
Well, that didn’t take long! Only three days into the 2022 Olympics and it’s already time to check out the IIHF Guide & Record Book to see where this year’s Games might fit into the seven-Olympiad history of women’s hockey. We’ve had two records tied, and others are in peril.
Canadian defender Claire Thompson tied the record for most assists in a period when she collected three in the second period of the team’s opening game against Switzerland. That tied Hilary Knight of the U.S., which she did back on 16 February 2010.
At the top of the heap of new records is Nicole Bullo of Switzerland. She is playing in her record-tying fifth Olympics, a feat only five women have achieved to date: Jayna Hefford (CAN), Emma Laaksonen (FIN), Caroline Ouellette (CAN), Karoliina Rantamaki (FIN), and Hayley Wickenheiser (CAN). Almost as significant, she will also likely tie, and maybe even set, the record for most games played. She is currently at 24, after the two Swiss games to date, and will hit 26 after the preliminary round. The Swiss have automatic entry to the quarter-finals where her 27th game would tie Rantamaki for the most ever, and if the Swiss win that game Bullo could be alone at the top of the record for most games played. Wow.
The strong start by the Canadians also puts in jeopardy the three records for one Olympics – most points (17, Wickenheiser, 2006), most goals (9, Meghan Agosta (CAN) & Stefanie Marty (SUI), 2010), and most assists (12, Wickenheiser, 2006). Currently, Natalie Spooner already has 7 assists and 9 points, and Sarah Fillier and Laura Stacey have four goals.
One record that won’t be broken now, or perhaps ever, is Wickenheiser’s 51 career points at the Olympics. She had 51 points in five Olympics. Currently, the next closest is Jenny Potter with 32. Consider that Hilary Knight, the all-time points leader in Women’s Worlds play, had 17 points coming into this year, and Marie-Philip Poulin had 18. In short, this is a record that might never be broken. The only sign of hope is that the tournament format has changed since Wickenheiser retired. There are ten teams now, not eight, and all play in the quarter-finals, so teams that go the medal games play seven times, not the five from Wickenheiser’s era.
And then in the “don’t look now” department, we have American goalie Nicole Hensley. She has played only two career games at the Olympics, but both were shutout victories (and both 5-0 scores against OAR/ROC). The record for a career is four, set by Canada’s Kim St-Pierre. Depending on how much playing time she gets in Beijing, she might well get close to this number in the next couple of weeks.
From the “don’t look now” volume 2 files, Poulin has 11 career goals at the Olympics. The record is Wickenheiser’s 18, so it’s a long shot but not entirely out of the question. Although through the two lop-sided wins Poulin has four assists but no goals as of yet.
And then, of course, there are the records that no one can see coming. Perhaps it’s a time record like fastest two goals, or a record for most or fewest shots on goal, or a record in the penalty-shot shootout. No matter, it’s all fun to follow the exploits of the record-makers as they keep their sights on the main prize – an Olympic medal.
Canadian defender Claire Thompson tied the record for most assists in a period when she collected three in the second period of the team’s opening game against Switzerland. That tied Hilary Knight of the U.S., which she did back on 16 February 2010.
At the top of the heap of new records is Nicole Bullo of Switzerland. She is playing in her record-tying fifth Olympics, a feat only five women have achieved to date: Jayna Hefford (CAN), Emma Laaksonen (FIN), Caroline Ouellette (CAN), Karoliina Rantamaki (FIN), and Hayley Wickenheiser (CAN). Almost as significant, she will also likely tie, and maybe even set, the record for most games played. She is currently at 24, after the two Swiss games to date, and will hit 26 after the preliminary round. The Swiss have automatic entry to the quarter-finals where her 27th game would tie Rantamaki for the most ever, and if the Swiss win that game Bullo could be alone at the top of the record for most games played. Wow.
The strong start by the Canadians also puts in jeopardy the three records for one Olympics – most points (17, Wickenheiser, 2006), most goals (9, Meghan Agosta (CAN) & Stefanie Marty (SUI), 2010), and most assists (12, Wickenheiser, 2006). Currently, Natalie Spooner already has 7 assists and 9 points, and Sarah Fillier and Laura Stacey have four goals.
One record that won’t be broken now, or perhaps ever, is Wickenheiser’s 51 career points at the Olympics. She had 51 points in five Olympics. Currently, the next closest is Jenny Potter with 32. Consider that Hilary Knight, the all-time points leader in Women’s Worlds play, had 17 points coming into this year, and Marie-Philip Poulin had 18. In short, this is a record that might never be broken. The only sign of hope is that the tournament format has changed since Wickenheiser retired. There are ten teams now, not eight, and all play in the quarter-finals, so teams that go the medal games play seven times, not the five from Wickenheiser’s era.
And then in the “don’t look now” department, we have American goalie Nicole Hensley. She has played only two career games at the Olympics, but both were shutout victories (and both 5-0 scores against OAR/ROC). The record for a career is four, set by Canada’s Kim St-Pierre. Depending on how much playing time she gets in Beijing, she might well get close to this number in the next couple of weeks.
From the “don’t look now” volume 2 files, Poulin has 11 career goals at the Olympics. The record is Wickenheiser’s 18, so it’s a long shot but not entirely out of the question. Although through the two lop-sided wins Poulin has four assists but no goals as of yet.
And then, of course, there are the records that no one can see coming. Perhaps it’s a time record like fastest two goals, or a record for most or fewest shots on goal, or a record in the penalty-shot shootout. No matter, it’s all fun to follow the exploits of the record-makers as they keep their sights on the main prize – an Olympic medal.