Cayla Barnes Bio
Cayla Marie Barnes is an American ice hockey player for the Seattle Torrent of the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) and the United States women’s national ice hockey team. A two-time Olympic medalist, Barnes won gold at the 2018 Winter Olympics as the youngest player on Team USA and silver at the 2022 Winter Olympics. She has competed in six IIHF Women’s World Championships, earning three gold medals (2019, 2023, 2025) and three silver medals (2021, 2022, 2024), and was named to the tournament all-star team in 2019. Barnes is the first player in history to win three consecutive gold medals at the IIHF World Women’s U18 Championship (2015, 2016, 2017), earning Best Defender honors in 2016 and 2017.
Early Life and Background
Cayla Barnes was born on January 7, 1999, in Eastvale, California, to Michelle Church and Scott Barnes. She is the youngest of five siblings, with four older brothers who played roller hockey. Initially, Barnes began her athletic journey as a figure skater, following her mother’s wishes. However, she was drawn to ice hockey after watching the hockey program during her figure skating lessons, switching to ice hockey around the age of three. Growing up in a hockey-loving family, she was inspired to play the sport by her brothers, stating, “I just loved it from the start. I just kept going with it.”
As a youth player in Southern California, Barnes played for various teams, including the 10U Anaheim Ducks and the 14U LA Kings. Due to limited girls’ hockey programs in California, she often played on boys’ teams during her development years. After watching the 2010 Winter Olympics at around age 11, she decided to pursue college hockey and make a national team roster. Recognizing the greater opportunities for recruitment on the East Coast, she moved to Massachusetts at age 14 to attend boarding school and play for the East Coast Wizards.
Path to Hockey
Barnes enrolled at Boston College in the fall of 2017, where she played in the first five games of the season before receiving a call-up to join the U.S. Women’s National Team on October 28, 2017. She withdrew from Boston College to prepare for the 2018 Winter Olympics, preserving her freshman year of eligibility. After returning to Boston College in August 2018, she played a significant role in the team, earning multiple accolades during her collegiate career.
In her freshman season, Barnes recorded 19 points in 36 games and was named to both the Hockey East Third Team All-Star and All-Rookie Team. She continued to excel in her sophomore season, tallying a career-high 23 points and earning Hockey East Second Team All-Star honors. By her junior year, she was one of three co-captains and led her team with 36 blocked shots. After taking a leave of absence for the 2021–22 season to compete in the Olympics, she returned as team captain in her redshirt senior year, concluding her Boston College career with 75 points in 131 games.
Cayla Barnes Career
Early Career (2017–2021)
Barnes began her professional career after being drafted in the first round, fifth overall, by PWHL Montreal in the 2024 PWHL draft. She signed a three-year contract with the team on June 21, 2024. During her time with Montreal, she led all Victoire players in time on ice and recorded 13 points in 30 regular-season games.
On December 4, 2024, Barnes scored her first professional goal against the New York Sirens. She continued to make an impact with her team, scoring a dramatic overtime goal against the Boston Fleet on March 8, 2025, which ended Boston’s franchise-record home winning streak.
Breakthrough (2022–Present)
Barnes made her senior national team debut at the 2018 Winter Olympics, becoming the youngest player on Team USA. She played a crucial role in helping the team win gold, marking the United States’ first Olympic gold medal in women’s hockey since 1998. She later competed in the 2022 Winter Olympics, earning a silver medal.
In addition to her Olympic success, Barnes has participated in six IIHF Women’s World Championships, winning three gold medals and three silver medals. Her performance at the 2019 World Championship earned her a spot on the tournament Media All-Star Team. Most recently, she contributed to Team USA’s gold medal victory at the 2025 IIHF Women’s World Championship.
Notable Works and Milestones
Cayla Barnes is recognized for her significant contributions to women’s ice hockey, including her historic achievement of winning three consecutive gold medals at the IIHF Women’s World U18 Championship. She has also been a key player in multiple international competitions, showcasing her skills and leadership on the ice.
Cayla Barnes Award Nominations
Throughout her career, Cayla Barnes has received numerous nominations for her outstanding performances in both collegiate and international competitions.
Cayla Barnes Awards Won
Cayla Barnes has won several prestigious awards, including Olympic gold and silver medals, as well as multiple gold and silver medals at the IIHF Women’s World Championships. Her achievements reflect her dedication and excellence in the sport of ice hockey.
Cayla Barnes Family
Cayla Barnes is in a relationship with Hope Walinski, a goaltender for Providence College. She is the youngest of five siblings and has a supportive family background that has influenced her athletic journey.
Personal Life
Barnes earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication and Management in Leadership from Boston College and is pursuing a Master’s degree in Sports Management at Ohio State University. In her free time, she enjoys roller hockey, soccer, lacrosse, reading, and painting.
