Kristin O’Neill Bio
Kristin O’Neill (born March 30, 1998) is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who plays as a forward in the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL). She is a member of the Canadian national team and won silver at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina. Standing 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighing 125 pounds, O’Neill has built her reputation as a quick, skilled left-shooting forward with a knack for clutch scoring.
Over the course of her career, O’Neill has competed at every level of women’s hockey, from junior leagues in Ontario to NCAA Division I at Cornell, and now across the professional ranks in North America. Her progression through the Stoney Creek Jr. Sabres, Cornell Big Red, Montreal Victoire, New York Sirens, and PWHL San Jose reflects a steady climb marked by leadership roles and postseason experience.
Early Life and Background
Kristin O’Neill was born on March 30, 1998, in Oakville, Ontario, Canada. Growing up in a region with a strong hockey tradition, she was introduced to the sport at a young age and quickly developed her skills in local and provincial programs. Her early commitment to the game helped lay the foundation for what would become a long and accomplished playing career.
O’Neill began her organized competitive career in 2012, suiting up for the Stoney Creek Jr. Sabres in the Provincial Women’s Hockey League (PWHL). That same year, she won the PWHL championship with the Sabres and later added a silver medal at the 2015 OWHA Provincial championships with the same club. In her final junior season of 2015–16, she was named captain of the Sabres, leading the team in goals, assists, and points while finishing sixth in league scoring.
Beyond club hockey, O’Neill represented Ontario at multiple national events. In 2013, she earned a silver medal with Team Ontario Blue at the Canadian Under-18 Women’s Nationals. Two years later, she was part of Team Ontario Red, which captured gold at the 2015 Canadian Under-18 Women’s Nationals, and she also helped Ontario win silver in women’s ice hockey at the 2015 Canada Winter Games.
Path to Hockey
O’Neill’s transition to elite-level competition began during her junior years with the Stoney Creek Jr. Sabres, where she quickly established herself as one of the top players in the Provincial Women’s Hockey League. Her captaincy in 2015–16 and her consistent scoring totals drew attention from NCAA programs south of the border. Her performance at the 2015 Canada Winter Games and the Canadian Under-18 Nationals further cemented her status as a top prospect.
After completing her junior career, O’Neill enrolled at Cornell University, joining the Big Red women’s ice hockey program in the ECAC Hockey conference. The move to NCAA Division I competition marked a significant step up in pace and intensity, and O’Neill adapted quickly, producing from her first season on campus.
Kristin O’Neill Career
Early Career (2012–2017)
O’Neill’s early career was defined by her work with the Stoney Creek Jr. Sabres. She joined the program in 2012 and immediately contributed to a Provincial Women’s Hockey League championship. Over the next several seasons, she continued to develop, adding a silver medal at the 2015 OWHA Provincial championships and serving as team captain in her final junior year.
Her leadership and scoring touch at the junior level, combined with strong showings for Team Ontario at multiple national events, made her one of the most respected young players in the province. These accomplishments set the stage for her recruitment to Cornell.
Cornell Big Red Breakthrough (2016–2020)
As a freshman at Cornell, O’Neill ranked second in scoring on the Big Red while finishing as the NCAA’s leading scorer in shorthanded goals with five. She also placed seventh in the nation among all freshmen with 0.84 points per game, signaling her immediate impact at the collegiate level.
O’Neill’s sophomore season brought even greater success. She led the Big Red in scoring, tied for the NCAA lead in shorthanded goals with four, and ranked fourth nationally with seven game-winning goals. Her standout play earned her recognition as the Ivy League Player of the Year, along with selections to both the ECAC Hockey First-Team All-Stars and the Ivy League First-Team All-Stars.
Montreal Victoire Era (2023–2025)
PWHL Montreal selected O’Neill in the second round, seventh overall, of the 2023 PWHL Draft. On October 30, 2023, she signed a three-year contract with Montreal and quickly became part of the team’s leadership group. By the end of December 2023, she had been named one of Montreal’s alternate captains for road games.
During the 2024–25 PWHL season, O’Neill recorded one goal and four assists in 30 regular season games. She added one goal and one assist in four playoff games during the 2025 PWHL playoffs, contributing to Montreal’s postseason run.
New York Sirens Era (2025–2026)
Following the 2024–25 season, O’Neill was traded to the New York Sirens at the 2025 PWHL Draft, along with the 28th overall pick, in exchange for forward Abby Roque. The move gave her a fresh opportunity to expand her role within a new organization.
During the 2025–26 season with the Sirens, O’Neill recorded four goals and one assist in 30 games, providing consistent secondary scoring and reliable two-way play. Her contributions helped stabilize the Sirens’ forward group throughout the campaign.
Driving Style and Strengths
O’Neill is recognized for her speed, hockey sense, and effectiveness on the penalty kill. Throughout her career, she has consistently ranked among the top shorthanded goal scorers in her leagues, demonstrating an ability to read the game and capitalize on transitions. Her leadership qualities, evidenced by her captaincy at every level, also make her a trusted presence in the locker room.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among O’Neill’s signature moments is her silver medal with Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics, where she scored the opening goal in the gold medal game against the United States. She also recorded a goal in the Olympic final against Czechia and assisted on Loren Gabel’s first career goal for Canada at the 2018 4 Nations Cup. Her selection seventh overall in the 2023 PWHL Draft stands as another defining career milestone.
Kristin O’Neill Career Wins
Kristin O’Neill has compiled an impressive list of team and individual accomplishments throughout her career. From junior championships in Ontario to NCAA recognition and international medals, her trophy case reflects steady growth at every level. The following sections highlight her verified achievements across the major series she has competed in.
Junior and Collegiate Highlights
O’Neill won the Provincial Women’s Hockey League championship with the Stoney Creek Jr. Sabres in 2012 and added a silver medal at the 2015 OWHA Provincial championships. She also captured gold with Team Ontario Red at the 2015 Canadian Under-18 Women’s Nationals and silver with Team Ontario Blue at the 2013 edition of the same tournament. At the 2015 Canada Winter Games, she helped Ontario win silver in women’s ice hockey.
At Cornell, O’Neill’s most notable individual honour came during her sophomore season when she was named the Ivy League Player of the Year and selected to both the ECAC Hockey and Ivy League First-Team All-Stars.
International Highlights
O’Neill has represented Canada at multiple IIHF Women’s World Championships, including the 2021, 2022, 2024, and 2025 events, as well as the 2023 tournament in Canada. Her biggest international moment came at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina, where she helped Canada capture a silver medal and scored the opening goal of the gold medal game against the United States. She also competed for Canada at the 2018 4 Nations Cup.
Kristin O’Neill Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Kristin O’Neill was raised in Oakville, Ontario, and grew up in a region with a strong tradition of developing hockey talent. Her early immersion in the sport through local programs helped shape her path to the professional ranks.
Personal Life
Public details about O’Neill’s personal life are limited. She has continued to focus on her professional hockey career while representing Canada on the international stage.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 PWHL season marked a transition year for O’Neill, who was traded from the Montreal Victoire to the New York Sirens at the 2025 PWHL Draft. She joined a Sirens team looking to establish its identity and quickly became a contributor in the forward group.
Across 30 regular season games in 2025–26, O’Neill recorded four goals and one assist, providing timely scoring and steady defensive responsibility. Her experience from Montreal’s playoff run the previous spring helped bring a postseason mentality to the Sirens’ locker room.
Looking ahead, O’Neill’s role with the Sirens and her continued presence on the Canadian national team position her as a key figure in the next chapter of her career as the PWHL continues to grow.