Road to PyeongChang: Jennifer Wakefield

The Pickering native, an Olympic gold medallist and world champion, plays best on the big stage.

Jason La Rose

JENNIFER WAKEFIELD
Position: Forward
Hometown: Pickering, Ont.
Birthdate: June 15, 1989
Club Team: Linköping HC (SWE)

Road to Centralization
2001-02: Scarborough Stallions (Peewee AA)
2002-03: Scarborough Stallions (Minor Bantam AA)
2003-04: Unknown
2004-07: Durham West Lightning (PWHL)
2007-09: University of New Hampshire (HE)
2009-10: Centralized for Olympics
2010-12: Boston University (HE)
2012-13: Toronto Furies (CWHL)
2013-14: Centralized for Olympics
2014-17: Linköping HC (SWE)

Team Canada Experience
International debut: August 23, 2007 vs. United States
Canada’s National Women’s Team (2007-17): 105GP 40G 36A 76P
Canada’s National Women’s Development Team (2007-10): 24GP 13G 20A 33P

Olympic & World Championship Experience
2017 IIHF Women’s World Championship – 5GP 2G 2A 4P (silver medal)
2016 IIHF Women’s World Championship – 5GP 3G 3A 6P (silver medal)
2015 IIHF Women’s World Championship – 5GP 2G 3A 5P (silver medal)
2014 Olympic Winter Games – 5GP 0G 1A 1P (gold medal)
2013 IIHF Women’s World Championship – 5GP 4G 4A 8P (silver medal)
2012 IIHF Women’s World Championship – 5GP 1G 0A 1P (gold medal)
2011 IIHF World Women’s Championship – 5GP 1G 2A 3P (silver medal)

Who has played the biggest role in getting you to centralization?
“My family has played the biggest role throughout my hockey career. My parents have sacrificed so we could play hockey, or participate in whatever sports we wanted to play. And my sisters continue to be my rock during the ups and downs.”

When did you decide you wanted to play for Team Canada?
“My parents would take my sisters and I to female sporting events to show us positive female role models; I think that’s where my passion started, when I wanted to be like them. I still remember watching the 2002 Olympics, and I was so inspired by that team.”

What is the most important thing hockey has given you?
“The most important thing that hockey has given me is the importance of loyality and friendship.”