Canadian women’s hockey star, Claire Thompson, has decided to retire from the sport in order to pursue a career in medicine. Thompson, a defender from Toronto, made the announcement of her retirement through Instagram and in an exclusive interview with The Athletic. The 28-year-old athlete, who clinched Olympic gold at the 2022 Beijing Games and silver at the recent Milan Games, opted to put her medical ambitions on hold for two years to focus on her hockey career.
Thompson made history at the Beijing Olympics by setting a new record for points scored by a defender, tallying 13 points. Throughout her Olympic career, she accumulated a total of 17 points in 14 games. In addition to her Olympic success, she also secured the Walter Cup with the Minnesota Frost in 2025 and played a season with the Vancouver Goldeneyes.
Expressing her decision to transition to a medical profession, Thompson stated, “A career in medicine has always been a long-standing goal of mine, and I believe that this is the right time to step away from hockey.” She has resumed her studies at New York University after initially starting medical school in 2024 and briefly playing for the Minnesota Frost in the PWHL.
Thompson’s return to the game in 2024 was met with success as she was drafted third overall by the Minnesota Frost and played a pivotal role in the team’s consecutive championship wins. Despite a year away from competitive play, she showcased her talent and was a finalist for the league’s defender of the year title in 2025.
Joining the Vancouver Goldeneyes for the 2025-26 season, Thompson made history as the franchise’s first player and served as an alternate captain. She marked her debut with a goal and an assist in front of a spirited crowd at the Pacific Coliseum. Reflecting on her final season in Canada, Thompson expressed gratitude for the opportunity to play in front of Canadian fans and represent her country at the 2025 world championships, where she secured a silver medal.