Emily Clark Bio
Emily Clark is a Canadian professional ice hockey player for PWHL Hamilton of the Professional Women’s Hockey League. A forward who shoots left, she has represented Canada at the junior and senior level since 2011, including the 2018, 2022, and 2026 Winter Olympics. She is also a former Wisconsin Badgers standout and a PWHPA alumna.
Early Life and Background
Emily Clark was born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, on November 28, 1995. She grew up as the youngest of six children in a tight-knit hockey household, and all of her siblings played the sport. Her father served as a local coach, giving her an early connection to the game that shaped her development from a young age.
Her early competitive years were spent in Saskatoon. In 2009–10, she won the Tier 2 Saskatoon city championship with the Saskatoon Flyers. The following season, she served as alternate captain for the Saskatoon Stars, helping the team reach the Saskatchewan Female Midget AAA Hockey League championship game for the second straight year, and she also won a gold medal with the Stars at Mac’s Tournament. In 2011, she represented her province as a member of Team Saskatchewan at the Canada Winter Games.
Path to Hockey
Clark’s first taste of national-level competition came in August 2011, when she joined the Under-18 Canadian National Women’s Ice Hockey Team for a three-game series against the United States. She was the youngest player on the roster and one of only three women from Saskatchewan invited to try out. In the third game of the series, she scored a goal and helped Canada win the set.
She continued to develop through Canada’s age-group programs before being named to the senior squad. Her college recruitment by the Wisconsin Badgers followed, setting the stage for her transition into NCAA Division I women’s ice hockey. Clark’s progression from Saskatchewan youth leagues to the international stage was steady, built on consistent scoring and strong two-way play.
Emily Clark Career
Early Career (2014–2018)
Clark made her NCAA debut on October 3, 2014, lighting up the Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs with two goals and three points in a 4–1 win for the Wisconsin Badgers. Over four seasons in Madison, she became a top-line forward for the program and one of the most productive players in the WCHA.
In December 2016, she tied for the WCHA lead in points with eight and assists with seven, while also leading the conference in plus/minus at +7. She recorded a career-high five points, a goal and four assists, in a 7–0 win over the Ohio State Buckeyes on December 9, and was named the WCHA Player of the Month for her December performance. She also added an assist in Wisconsin’s 8–2 win over rival Minnesota.
Senior National Team Breakthrough (2014–2018)
Clark made her senior debut with Canada at the 2014 Four Nations Cup and quickly became a reliable contributor on the international stage. She went on to compete in multiple IIHF Women’s World Championships for Canada, gaining valuable tournament experience against the world’s top programs. By 2018, she had earned a place on Canada’s Olympic roster.
At the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, Clark recorded her first Olympic goal in the semifinals, a 5–0 win over the Olympic athletes from Russia. She helped Canada advance to the gold medal game, where the team fell to the United States in a shootout and took home a silver medal. The performance established her as a clutch performer in high-stakes moments.
Wisconsin to PWHL Breakthrough (2022–2024)
After college, Clark expected to begin her professional career in the Canadian Women’s Hockey League, but the league folded before she graduated. She joined the Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association, supporting a boycott of the existing North American women’s leagues in search of a more sustainable model. During her time with the PWHPA, she helped lead Team Harvey’s to the Secret Cup championship in 2023, recording a hat-trick in the final on her way to being named the game’s first star.
When the PWHPA and the Premier Hockey Federation merged into the new Professional Women’s Hockey League in 2023, Clark was one of the first three player signings announced, joining PWHL Ottawa alongside Brianne Jenner and Emerance Maschmeyer. She was named an assistant captain ahead of Ottawa’s first game on January 2, 2024, and scored her first PWHL goal on January 23 in a 3–1 win over Toronto. Her consistent two-way play and leadership helped anchor the team’s inaugural season.
2022 Winter Olympics
On January 11, 2022, Clark was named to Canada’s 2022 Olympic team. She played a steady, two-way role throughout the tournament in Beijing, where Canada ultimately defeated the United States 3–2 in the gold medal game to capture the championship. Reflecting on the experience, Clark said the day felt like a dream and that the stars had aligned in the biggest moments.
Ottawa Charge Era (2024–2026)
During the 2024–25 season with the renamed Ottawa Charge, Clark recorded nine goals and ten assists in 30 regular season games, then added three goals and two assists in eight playoff games. On August 7, 2025, she signed a two-year contract extension with the Charge, signaling her importance to the franchise.
In 2025–26, she posted three goals and six assists in 30 regular season games and was held scoreless across eight games in the Walter Cup playoffs. Following the season, during the league’s expansion to 12 teams ahead of 2026–27, she was left unprotected by the Charge and signed a two-year contract with PWHL Hamilton on June 7, 2026.
2026 Winter Olympics
On January 9, 2026, Clark was named to Canada’s roster for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina. In the final game of Group A play, she scored twice in a 5–0 win over Finland, helping set up Canada’s path through the bracket. She ultimately won a silver medal with Canada, which fell 2–1 to the United States in the gold medal final on February 19, 2026.
Driving Style and Strengths
Clark is a left-shooting forward known for her strong two-way game, reliable forechecking, and calm decision-making in tight spaces. Her ability to drive play through the middle of the ice and contribute on the power play made her a fixture in big moments, from college games against rivals like the Minnesota Golden Gophers to Olympic semifinals and PWHPA championship finals.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among her career highlights are an Olympic gold medal at the 2022 Beijing Games, silver medals at the 2018 PyeongChang and 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics, multiple IIHF Women’s World Championship appearances, a PWHPA Secret Cup title with Team Harvey’s in 2023, and her role as one of the first three signings in PWHL history with PWHL Ottawa in 2023.
Emily Clark Career Wins
Emily Clark has built a strong résumé of team and individual achievements across junior, college, professional, and international play. She is an Olympic gold and two-time silver medalist, a multi-time IIHF Women’s World Championship participant, a PWHPA Secret Cup champion, and a former Wisconsin Badgers standout.
International Highlights
Clark has represented Canada at three Winter Olympics, winning gold in 2022 and silver in 2018 and 2026. She has also competed in numerous IIHF Women’s World Championships and at the IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship, establishing herself as a long-term contributor to Canada’s national team program.
Other Wins & Performances
At the club level, Clark captured a PWHPA Secret Cup championship with Team Harvey’s in 2023, recorded her first PWHL goal in January 2024, and was named an assistant captain for Ottawa. She has posted consistent offensive numbers in both the WCHA and the PWHL across multiple seasons.
Emily Clark Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Clark grew up in a large hockey family in Saskatoon. She was the youngest of six children, and all of her siblings played the sport. Her father served as a local coach, providing both inspiration and guidance as she developed her game.
Personal Life
Clark is a member of the LGBT community. Her partner is Jaime Bourbonnais, her teammate on the Canadian national team and a player for the New York Sirens.
2025 Season Performance
In 2024–25, Clark played a full 30-game regular season for the Ottawa Charge, finishing with nine goals and ten assists as one of the team’s most consistent forwards. Her production helped Ottawa remain competitive in the standings, and her leadership in the room continued to be a key part of the club’s identity.
During the 2025 PWHL playoffs, she added three goals and two assists in eight games, providing timely scoring as the Charge pushed deep into the postseason. On August 7, 2025, she signed a two-year contract extension with Ottawa, a strong signal of confidence from the franchise. On the international stage, she was also named to Canada’s roster for the 2026 Winter Olympics on January 9, 2026, an exciting early marker for the year ahead.
