Jaime Bourbonnais Bio
Jaime Claire Bourbonnais is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman for the New York Sirens of the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) and a member of the Canadian national team. Born on September 9, 1998, in Mississauga, Ontario, she has built a reputation as one of the top collegiate and professional blueliners of her generation. Since 2016, Bourbonnais has competed at the highest levels of women’s hockey, combining skilled puck movement with responsible defensive play.
Early Life and Background
Jaime Claire Bourbonnais was born on September 9, 1998, in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. Growing up in a region with a strong hockey tradition, she was introduced to the sport at a young age and developed her skills through local youth programs. Her family background carries deep roots in the game of hockey, a heritage that helped shape her path toward competitive play.
She comes from a hockey family with a celebrated international legacy. Her grandfather, Roger Bourbonnais, represented Team Canada and was inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame, giving Jaime a clear connection to the sport’s highest honors. This family influence played an important role in her development as a young athlete and reinforced her commitment to pursuing hockey at an elite level.
Path to Hockey
Bourbonnais progressed through the Canadian youth hockey system, where her performances earned her a place on competitive development rosters. She represented Canada at the under-18 level, winning a silver medal at the 2016 IIHF World Women’s U18 Championship in her lone junior-level appearance. The experience of competing on an international stage helped prepare her for the next step in her career.
Following her success in junior international hockey, Bourbonnais committed to Cornell University, joining the Cornell Big Red women’s ice hockey program. Her strong skating, hockey sense, and two-way play made her an immediate contributor on the blueline. The collegiate ranks provided her with a demanding schedule and high-level competition, which proved essential in preparing her for a professional career.
Jaime Bourbonnais Career
Early Career (2016–2020)
Bourbonnais began her collegiate career with the Cornell Big Red during the 2016–17 season. In her freshman year, she finished tied for third on the team in points with 16 and was selected to the ECAC Hockey All-Rookie Team. She also earned an Honorable Mention All-Ivy recognition, signaling her arrival as one of the conference’s promising young defencemen.
Her development continued steadily in subsequent seasons. After her sophomore year, she was named to the Second Team All-ECAC and the First Team All-Ivy, while also receiving Cornell’s Tompkins Girls Hockey Association Cub Club Mentor honor. During her junior season, she finished second in the nation in points among defencemen and fourth in the nation in assists and goals per game, earning ECAC Best Defenseman honors and a First Team All-ECAC selection after recording 29 points and leading the team in plus-minus.
PWHL Breakthrough (2023–2024)
On September 18, 2023, Bourbonnais was selected in the second round, ninth overall, by PWHL New York in the 2023 PWHL Draft. She signed a three-year deal with the club in November 2023, officially launching her professional career in North America’s newest top women’s league. Her selection reflected the strong reputation she had built through her collegiate achievements.
During her first two seasons in the PWHL, Bourbonnais appeared in all 54 games for the Sirens, recording seven goals and 13 assists. Her reliability, skating ability, and ability to log significant minutes made her a steady presence on the New York blueline. She quickly became a trusted contributor for the franchise as the league continued to grow.
New York Sirens Era (2025–Present)
On November 18, 2025, Bourbonnais signed a one-year contract extension with the New York Sirens, reaffirming her commitment to the franchise. The extension came after two dependable professional seasons in which she rarely missed time and continued to produce offensively from the back end. Her presence has been a stabilizing force for a Sirens team aiming to climb the PWHL standings.
With the extension in place, Bourbonnais entered the next phase of her PWHL career focused on building toward postseason contention. Her combination of experience, two-way play, and professional habits positions her as a key contributor for the Sirens moving forward.
Playing Style and Strengths
Bourbonnais is recognized for her smooth skating, intelligent positioning, and ability to contribute in all three zones. As a right-shot defenceman, she is comfortable joining the rush and quarterbacking the play from the blueline, and her collegiate scoring totals reflect an offensive instinct uncommon for her position. Defensively, her plus-minus leadership and disciplined reads allow her to handle tough minutes against opposing top lines.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among her standout career moments are her ECAC Best Defenseman award, her ninth overall selection in the 2023 PWHL Draft, and her silver medal at the 2016 IIHF World Women’s U18 Championship. The November 2025 contract extension further cemented her long-term place within the New York Sirens organization and the broader growth of women’s professional hockey.
Jaime Bourbonnais Career Highlights
Across her time at Cornell and in the PWHL, Jaime Claire Bourbonnais has compiled a résumé marked by consistent performance and individual recognition. Her collegiate awards and her immediate professional role with the New York Sirens highlight her standing as one of the top Canadian defencemen of her generation.
Collegiate and Professional Highlights
Bourbonnais earned ECAC Hockey All-Rookie Team, First Team All-ECAC, and ECAC Best Defenseman honors during her time with the Cornell Big Red. In the PWHL, she played all 54 games across her first two seasons, recording seven goals and 13 assists while serving as a steady presence on the Sirens’ blueline.
International Highlights
Representing Canada at the under-18 and senior levels, Bourbonnais won a silver medal at the 2016 IIHF World Women’s U18 Championship. Her continued selection to the senior Canadian national team reflects her standing among the country’s top defencemen.
Jaime Bourbonnais Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Jaime Claire Bourbonnais comes from one of Canada’s distinguished hockey families. Her grandfather, Roger Bourbonnais, competed for Team Canada and was inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame, giving the family a celebrated place in the history of the sport. This legacy continues to shape Jaime’s approach to the game and her connection to international competition.
Personal Life
Jaime Bourbonnais is in a relationship with Emily Clark, her teammate on the Canadian national team and a player for the Ottawa Charge. The couple share a connection rooted in their共同的 commitment to representing Canada at the highest level of women’s hockey.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented an important stretch in Jaime Claire Bourbonnais’s professional journey. Entering the year as an established member of the New York Sirens blueline, she continued to log heavy minutes and provide two-way reliability for her club. Her consistent presence through the schedule reinforced her value as a foundational piece of the franchise.
On November 18, 2025, Bourbonnais signed a one-year contract extension with the Sirens, a sign of mutual confidence between the player and the organization. The deal ensured her continued role within the team’s defensive core and provided stability heading into the remainder of the campaign.
Looking ahead, Bourbonnais remains focused on helping the New York Sirens contend in the PWHL standings while continuing her international duties with Team Canada. Her combination of experience, professionalism, and competitive drive positions her as a central figure in the league’s continued growth.
