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A final cut back in 2022, Julia Gosling has not only made this year’s Canadian Olympic team, but she’s thriving — both in international play and with the Seattle Torrent of the PWHL.
Julia Gosling is finally living out her Olympic dream.
“There were a lot of emotions when I got the call,” the London native said. “I’ve been trying out for this team for the last four years, and I’ve put a lot of work into it.”
Four years ago, at just 20 years of age and still a sophomore at St. Lawrence University, Gosling was the youngest player to try out for the 2022 Canadian Olympic team. She was among the final cuts and lost out on a season of collegiate hockey. She made the trip to Beijing, but as a reserve player (an insurance policy because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic). She didn’t even get to stay in the Olympic village.
Four years later, she’s now reached her goal.
“It’s surreal. I think I still have some old class notes from school asking what I wanted to be when I’m older and what my dream was — and it was going to the Olympics for Team Canada. So, it’s super cool to have those dreams come true.”
Gosling vividly recalls watching Canada win gold in 2010 when she was just nine years old.
“That’s where the dream started,” she told Gameday London.
“And then I remember that dominant team in 2014. It’s crazy to look back at it and now I’m playing with some of those players and getting to represent Canada at the Olympics.”
The London-born player has represented Canada at both the U18 and senior levels, winning gold at the 2019 U18 World Championship and the 2024 IIHF Women’s World Championship.
She expects the Olympics to be an entirely new experience.
“There are a lot of distractions, and a lot more going on (at the Olympics) than a typical tournament, with all the different sports and the athletes’ village,” she said. “You try to enjoy what you can, but you need to stay focused on the games.”
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At St. Lawrence University, Gosling was captain for her junior and senior seasons. Her point production took a huge leap during those years, as she recorded 46 and 51 points, respectively, helping her earn ECAC All-Star honours both seasons.
She finished her collegiate career with 128 points in 111 games, placing her 14th in the program’s all-time point list. Her final year in college happened during the inaugural season of the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL).
“I’m super fortunate I was able to graduate college and jump right into the league,” she said. “I couldn’t have done that without all the girls that came before me and pushed for the league. It’s cool that now young girls can not only dream of the Olympics, but also a chance to play in a professional league. And it’s nice that young girls can look up to us now, when we only had men or Olympians to look up to.”
Following a dominant senior season at St. Lawrence University, Gosling was selected sixth overall by Toronto in the 2024 PWHL Draft. She had four goals and 10 points during her rookie season and was then scooped up by the Seattle Torrent in the expansion draft. She scored the first goal in Torrent franchise history and leads her new team in scoring with six goals and 12 points in 14 games.
In just two seasons in the league, Gosling has been impressed to see the rapid growth of the women’s game in North America.
“It’s insane, honestly. It’s sometimes unbelievable. We’ll play a game on a Tuesday night and we’ll have 10,000 fans. We have such passionate fans, and it’s all over the league. It’s super fun having people passionate about us.
“You’re seeing it all over the media more and more. We’re finally getting represented, and people are taking notice.”
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Growing up, Gosling played three seasons with the London Devilettes before heading off to college. She now plays with St. Thomas native Lexie Adzija, and she’ll be at the Olympics alongside Ingersoll’s Ella Shelton, both of whom are also former Devilettes.
“When I first switched over to girls hockey, Lexi was the best player in London, so it’s cool to see her development over the years,” said Gosling. “Unfortunately, I didn’t make the team the season they were there, but I had skated with them before. It’s cool playing with them now and seeing how these other locals from the London area have had their dreams come true too.”
She’s also had the opportunity to play both with and against her cousin, Nicole Gosling, who is now a member of the Montreal Victoire.
“It’s so special to be able to play against your cousin at that level. We’ve only played each other once, and I won that game, so I currently have the bragging rights. Our families are close, and it’s really fun to have them all come and watch us.”
Montreal and Seattle are scheduled to play twice more this season.
Gosling says that, although the stage may be different, and the stakes higher, playing against her cousin involves the same competitive spirit they had in their younger years.
“She had an unfinished basement, so we’d be ripping pucks down there. There are a lot of good memories. You don’t really think about it when you’re a kid just having fun, but it probably really helped both of our careers.”
Canada opens its Olympic schedule Thursday against Finland. Their highly anticipated preliminary round match against the United States, usually a preview of the gold medal game, will be Thursday, Feb. 12. The tournament’s medal round will begin a week later on Feb. 19.
