CALGARY, Alberta – Three-time Olympic gold medallist and three-time IIHF Women’s World Championship gold medallist Rebecca Johnston (Sudbury, ON) officially announced her retirement from international competition with Canada’s National Women’s Team on Thursday.
The 36-year-old made her debut in 2007 at the age of 18, representing Canada in four Olympic Winter Games. She won gold in 2010, 2014 and 2022, and silver in 2018. Johnston ends her decorated career ranked in the top 10 in games played (182 – seventh), goals (63 – ninth), assists (79 – eighth) and points (142 – eighth) with Team Canada.
Johnston also competed in 12 world championships, winning three gold medals (2007, 2012, 2021), eight silver (2008, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2023) and one bronze (2019), earning a place on the media all-star team in 2016. She also represented Canada 11 times at the Four Nations Cup, winning five gold medals (2007, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2014), and earned three-consecutive Air Canada Cup gold medals (2007, 2008, 2009) as a member of Canada’s National Women’s Under-22 Team.
“After more than 15 years with Hockey Canada, it’s hard to put into words what this game and this journey have meant to me,” said Johnston. “From the first time I wore the Maple Leaf, I felt an overwhelming sense of pride and responsibility to represent my country, and that feeling never faded. My ultimate dream was to play on the Olympic stage and to bring home medals for Canada, achievements that will always stand as the greatest honours of my career.”
Click here for a ‘Thank You, Hockey’ letter from Rebecca.
An alumna of Cornell University, where she earned her degree in communications, Johnston was named to the ECAC First All-Star Team and Ivy League First All-Star Team in all four of her college seasons (2007-08, 2008-09, 2010-11, 2011-12). She was named ECAC Player of the Year and an NCAA First Team All-American in 2011-12, and helped the Big Red to a pair of Frozen Four appearances in 2011 and 2012.
Johnston was drafted second overall by the Toronto Furies in the 2012 CWHL Draft, playing one season in Toronto before joining the Calgary Inferno for four seasons. She was named CWHL Most Valuable Player in 2014-15 and won Clarkson Cup championships with Calgary in 2016 and 2019.
“Hockey has given me more than I could have ever imagined: lifelong friendships, lessons in resilience and teamwork, and moments that will stay with me forever,” continued Johnston. “What I will miss most are the little things: the locker room laughs, the feeling of stepping on the ice with my teammates and the unshakable bond of chasing a common goal together. Representing Canada has been the privilege of a lifetime, and I will always carry that pride with me.”
Johnston took time off after the 2023 IIHF Women’s World Championship to determine her next steps in the game, which ultimately led to her current role as a player development and grassroots hockey coordinator with the Calgary Flames, working with prospects on and off the ice, while also supporting community initiatives. Johnston also leads her Johnny’s Elite Girls Hockey Camp, which focuses on developing skills and encouraging young girls to stay in sport.
“Rebecca’s impact on the international game has been remarkable, representing Canada in four Olympic Games and 12 world championships,” said Gina Kingsbury (Rouyn-Noranda, QC/Toronto, PWHL), general manager of Canada’s National Women’s Team. “Deemed one of Canada’s best skaters ever, Rebecca brought a tremendous amount of skill to the teams she proudly represented. Her contributions on the ice helped shape some of this country’s most memorable moments. On behalf of Hockey Canada, we thank Rebecca for her outstanding career and everything she has given to our program and the game.”
For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s National Women’s Team, please visit HockeyCanada.ca or follow along via social media on Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok.