Élizabeth Giguère Bio
Élizabeth Giguère (born May 8, 1997) is a Canadian ice hockey forward currently serving as a reserve player for the Minnesota Frost of the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL). A right-shot right winger standing 5 feet 10 inches tall, she previously played for the New York Sirens of the PWHL and the Boston Pride of the Premier Hockey Federation (PHF). Giguère is widely recognized as one of the most decorated American collegiate women’s hockey players of her era, having won the prestigious Patty Kazmaier Award in 2020.
After an outstanding tenure at Clarkson University and a graduate season at the University of Minnesota Duluth, Giguère transitioned to the professional ranks, where she has continued to contribute as a reliable scoring forward. Her combination of offensive skill, hockey intelligence, and competitive edge has carried her from junior international hockey to the highest levels of the women’s game.
Early Life and Background
Élizabeth Giguère was born on May 8, 1997, in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. Growing up in a region with deep roots in hockey culture, she developed an early passion for the sport and began honing her skills on local rinks throughout her childhood. Her athletic foundation and dedication to the game became evident during her youth career, when she emerged as one of the most promising young forwards in her province.
Before arriving on the collegiate stage, Giguère represented Canada at major international junior events. She suited up for her country at the 2015 IIHF World Women’s U18 Championship, where she ranked second on the team in scoring with three goals and four assists in five games, helping Canada capture a silver medal. Two years later, she again wore the maple leaf at the 2017 Nations Cup, adding two goals and one assist in five games and securing another silver medal for her country.
Path to Hockey
Giguère’s path to elite hockey began to take shape during her teenage years, as her performances in youth and international competition caught the attention of NCAA recruiters. Her blend of speed, playmaking, and finishing ability made her a coveted recruit, and she ultimately committed to Clarkson University, one of the most successful women’s hockey programs in the country. Her international experience with Canada provided a strong foundation for the demands of high-level collegiate play.
The transition to NCAA Division I hockey proved seamless. Giguère joined a Clarkson program coming off consecutive national championships, and she quickly established herself as an offensive force. Her immediate impact as a freshman signalled the beginning of one of the most remarkable collegiate careers in women’s hockey history, setting the stage for a decorated run with the Golden Knights and later the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs.
Élizabeth Giguère Career
Early Career (2017–2018)
Élizabeth Giguère began her collegiate career with the Clarkson Golden Knights during the 2017–18 season, and she wasted no time announcing her arrival at the Division I level. As a freshman, she recorded 27 goals and 44 assists for 71 points, setting the Clarkson program record for freshman scoring. Her early-season excellence earned her HCA National Rookie of the Month honors in December and March, along with multiple ECAC Hockey Rookie of the Month accolades.
Giguère saved her brightest moments for the biggest stage. During the 2018 NCAA National Collegiate Women’s Ice Hockey Tournament, she scored the game-winning goal in overtime to send Clarkson to the Frozen Four, and then repeated the feat in the National Championship game against Colgate, securing Clarkson’s second consecutive NCAA Tournament title. She was named to the 2018 Frozen Four All-Tournament Team and earned spots on the ECAC Hockey All-Rookie Team, the ECAC Hockey First Team All-League, and the Second-Team All-American list.
Clarkson Golden Knights Breakthrough (2018–2020)
During her sophomore season in 2018–19, Giguère elevated her game to new heights, leading the entire NCAA in scoring with 26 goals and 47 assists in 40 games. She set a Clarkson program record with five shorthanded goals during the campaign and was named ECAC Hockey Player of the Month in November after posting 15 points in 10 games, including a nation-high 12 goals. She also recorded her first career hat-trick in a 5–1 victory over Yale on January 18, 2019. In the NCAA Tournament, she delivered yet another overtime game-winning goal, this time against Boston College, marking her third game-winning overtime goal in four NCAA Tournament games. She was recognized as a First Team All-American, a Top 10 Patty Kazmaier Award finalist, and the USCHO.com Player of the Year.
Her junior season in 2019–20 represented the peak of her collegiate dominance. Giguère led the NCAA in goals with 37 in 37 games and tied for second in national scoring with 66 points. She tied for the nation lead with 10 game-winning goals and ranked among the leaders in shorthanded goals. On December 6, 2019, she set a Clarkson program record with her 105th career assist in a 5–0 victory over RPI. Her awards that season included ECAC Hockey First Team All-League, ECAC Hockey Player of the Year, ECAC Hockey’s Best Forward, a Second Consecutive First Team All-American selection, and ultimately the Patty Kazmaier Award as the top player in NCAA Division I women’s hockey.
Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs (2021–2022)
On May 20, 2021, Giguère announced that she would join the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs for the 2021–22 season as a graduate transfer. In her only season with the Bulldogs, she recorded 22 goals and 40 assists in 40 games, leading the team in scoring and helping Minnesota Duluth advance to the Frozen Four. She finished her collegiate career with 295 points in 177 games, ranking sixth all-time in NCAA Division I history in scoring.
Boston Pride Era (2022–2023)
On July 28, 2022, Giguère signed a one-year contract with the Boston Pride of the Premier Hockey Federation. In her first and only PHF season, she recorded 22 points in 18 games, showcasing her professional readiness. During the following offseason, she signed with the Montreal Force, but she never joined the team because the PHF dissolved to make way for the newly formed Professional Women’s Hockey League.
New York Sirens Era (2023–2025)
On September 18, 2023, Giguère was selected in the fifth round, 28th overall, by PWHL New York in the 2023 PWHL Draft. She signed a one-year contract on November 3, 2023, and during the 2024–25 season she recorded two goals and two assists in 29 games. On June 19, 2025, following her time in New York, she signed a one-year contract with the Ottawa Charge.
Minnesota Frost Era (2025–Present)
Following pre-season training camp, Giguère was signed to a reserve player contract with the Minnesota Frost prior to the 2025–26 season. On February 27, 2026, she signed a standard player agreement with the Frost after Kendall Coyne Schofield was placed on injured reserve. She finished the campaign with one assist in 13 regular season games and went scoreless in five games during the 2026 Walter Cup Playoffs. On June 20, 2026, she signed a one-year contract extension with the Frost, solidifying her continued role with the organization.
Driving Style and Strengths
Giguère is widely regarded for her elite offensive instincts, smooth skating, and ability to impact games in multiple ways. She excels as a playmaker with high-end vision and passing ability, and she has consistently produced at every level she has played. Her shot, hockey IQ, and willingness to play in all situations, including the penalty kill, have made her a versatile and dependable forward throughout her career.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Giguère’s most memorable achievements are her three NCAA Tournament overtime game-winning goals, her Patty Kazmaier Award in 2020, and her place in NCAA history as the sixth all-time leading scorer in Division I with 295 points. Her transition to the PWHL and subsequent contract extension with the Minnesota Frost further underscore her lasting influence on the women’s game.
Élizabeth Giguère Career Wins
Throughout her career, Élizabeth Giguère has accumulated a long list of team and individual honours, including NCAA championships, conference awards, national recognitions, and a Patty Kazmaier Award. Her wins span the junior international stage, the NCAA ranks, and the professional women’s game.
Clarkson Golden Knights Highlights
Giguère won back-to-back NCAA National Championships with Clarkson in 2018 and 2019, and she was a driving force in both title runs. She earned numerous ECAC Hockey awards, multiple All-American selections, the 2018 Frozen Four All-Tournament Team nod, and the 2020 Patty Kazmaier Award. She set Clarkson program records for freshman scoring, career assists, and shorthanded goals in a season.
Minnesota Duluth and Professional Highlights
At Minnesota Duluth, Giguère led the Bulldogs in scoring and helped the team reach the Frozen Four in 2022. In the professional ranks, she reached the Walter Cup Playoffs with the Minnesota Frost in 2026 and signed a contract extension with the club that same summer.
Élizabeth Giguère Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Specific details about Élizabeth Giguère’s parents and family background are not publicly documented in the available sources.
Personal Life
Élizabeth Giguère married her wife, Claudia Duffy, on August 14, 2022. The couple has been a visible part of her life alongside her professional hockey career.
2025 Season Performance
During the early portion of her PWHL career, Élizabeth Giguère suited up for the New York Sirens, where she appeared in 29 games during the 2024–25 season and recorded two goals and two assists. Her steady presence on the wing contributed to the Sirens’ competitive efforts throughout the campaign.
On June 19, 2025, Giguère signed a one-year contract with the Ottawa Charge, only to be later signed to a reserve player contract with the Minnesota Frost ahead of the 2025–26 season. After joining the Frost on a standard player agreement in February 2026, she recorded one assist in 13 regular season games and appeared in five playoff contests during the 2026 Walter Cup Playoffs.
Her contract extension with the Minnesota Frost on June 20, 2026, signals continued organizational confidence in her two-way game and offensive upside. With another year of professional development ahead, Giguère is positioned to play a meaningful role in the Frost’s pursuit of additional Walter Cup success.