Sudbury's Tessa Bonhomme, a 2010 Olympic gold medallist and two-time world champion, has retired from international competition, Hockey Canada announced Wednesday.
“On behalf of Hockey Canada and Canadian hockey fans everywhere, I want to thank Tessa for what she did not only in bringing Canada success on the ice, but what she did to grow the women’s game off it,” said Tom Renney, president and CEO of Hockey Canada. “She will continue to be a tremendous ambassador for the sport, and I have no doubt she will find success wherever her career leads her.”
Bonhomme, 29, made her debut with Canada’s National Women’s Team at the 2004 4 Nations Cup in Lake Placid, N.Y., and finished her international career with 51 points (10 goals, 41 assists) in 107 games. She retires as the fifth-highest scoring defenceman in Team Canada history.
She won gold with Canada at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, B.C., and at the IIHF World Women’s Championship in 2007 and 2012, setting up Caroline Ouellette for the overtime winner in the 2012 gold-medal game. Bonhomme also won silver at the world championship in 2009, 2011 and 2013. She participated in the 4 Nations Cup on eight occasions, winning six gold medals (2004, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2013) and two silver (2008, 2012).
Bonhomme also played 18 games with Canada’s National Women’s Under-22 Team from 2004-07, finishing with nine points (two goals, seven assists). She helped the U22 team win gold at the Air Canada Cup in 2005, 2006 and 2007.
“I have watched Tessa play since she was a young player in Sudbury; her love of the game and infectious personality made her a pleasure to work with every day,” said Melody Davidson, Hockey Canada’s general manager for national women’s team programs.
“I cannot say enough about her gift of balancing fun with intensity, and how she always put the needs of the team first. I thank her for everything she has done for the women’s game to date, and I am sure well into the future.”
