Caroline Ouellette, who was a standout player for the University of Minnesota Duluth from 2002-05, will be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto during the 2023 induction ceremonies scheduled for Nov. 10-13.
Ouellette is one of seven individuals to be inducted into the Hall of Fame this year and the group includes Player Category inductees Ouellette, Tom Barrasso, Henrik Lundqvist, Pierre Turgeon and Mike Vernon. Individuals inducted in the Builders Categroy include Ken Hitchcock and Pierre Lacroix.
"The Hockey Hall of Fame is proud to welcome these hockey legends as Honoured Members," said Mike Gartner, Chair of the Hockey Hall of Fame Selection Committee. "Their contributions to the game of hockey are well documented and their election to the Hockey Hall of Fame is richly deserved."
Born in Montreal, Quebec, Caroline Ouellette became a member of Canada's national women's team in 1998-99 and played three seasons at the University of Minnesota-Duluth starting in 2002-03. As a member of Canada's national team, Ouellette won four Olympic gold medals and six gold medals at the World Championships. A driving force in women's professional hockey, Ouellette was the first player in the CWHL to reach the 300-point plateau (in 2016-17).
In her time at Minnesota Duluth, Ouellette played in 97 games and was an offensive dynamo for the Bulldogs with 92 goals, 137 assists and 229 points during her collegiate career - which places her 14th in the all-time WCHA scoring charts. A two-time first team All-America selection in 2005 and 2004, Ouelltte also gained All-WCHA First Team honors in 2005 and 2003 and was a second team All-WCHA pick in 2004. A Patty Kazmaier Memorial top three finalist in 2005, Ouellette finished her senior season at UMD with a career-high 32 goals, 48 assists and 80 points. Ouellette tied a league record with her six assists against North Dakota on Oct. 15, 2004.
The WCHA’s Most Outstanding Player of the 2003 Final Faceoff tournament, Ouellette helped the Bulldogs win the WCHA regular season and postseason tournament titles in 2003. In the classroom, Ouellette was named the WCHA Student-Athlete of the Year award recipient in 2005.
She also played a key role in helping Minnesota Duluth win NCAA championships in 2002 and 2003 along with gaining an NCAA playoff bid in 2005. A member of the Canadian National Team at the IIHF World Championships in 2000, 2001, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012 and 2013; Ouellette played in four Winter Olympics with Team Canada in 2002, 2006, 2010 and 2014.
The 2023 Hockey Hall of Fame Induction Celebration is scheduled on Monday, November 13, in Toronto (preceded by the traditional slate of "Induction Weekend" events beginning on Friday, November 11, including the annual "Hockey Hall of Fame Game" hosted by the Toronto Maple Leafs).
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