Poulin, Hamelin to Carry the Maple Leaf in Opening Ceremony

We waited, we speculated and we finally got the answer. Team Canada has named Marie-Philip Poulin and Charles Hamelin as the opening ceremony flag bearers.

Poulin, 30, from Beauceville, QC, will participate in her fourth Olympic Games for the National Women’s hockey team. The three-time medalist has two gold and one silver.

In Vancouver 2010, as an 18-year-old, she scored both goals in Canada’s 2-0 gold medal victory over the United States and has continued to make a name for herself ever since. In Sochi 2014, Poulin delivered another clutch gold medal winning performance as she scored another two goals including the tying goal in the last minute of play and the overtime winner to defeat the rival Americans 3-2.

After a silver in 2018, Team Canada’s captain will look to put her team back on top. Poulin’s first action comes later today at 11:10 p.m. ET/8:10 p.m. PT.

Hamelin, 37, from Lévis, QC, is Canada’s most experienced Olympian as he is participating in his fifth games. The Short Track Speed Skater has five medals to his name which included three gold, a silver and a bronze.

Hamelin and the short track team will begin on Feb. 5.

Both were honoured to get the call and had difficulty keeping it a secret from their teammates. However, the secret is out and the games can begin.

Follow @deanmatheos and @CanOlyBlog on Twitter for updates.