Brianne Alexandra Jenner, she is a Canadian professional ice hockey player and captain for the Ottawa Charge of the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) and a member of Canada women’s national ice hockey team. Jenner served on the board of directors for the Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association (PWHPA) and, upon the formation of the PWHL in 2023, was named to the labour union’s executive committee.
Jenner is a three-time Olympic medalist, having won gold medals at Sochi 2014 and Beijing 2022, and a silver medal at PyeongChang 2018. At the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, she was named tournament MVP after tying the Olympic record with nine goals in a single tournament, adding five assists for 14 points. She has won 11 medals at the IIHF Women’s World Championship since her debut in 2012, including four gold medals (2012, 2021, 2022, 2024), six silver medals (2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2023, 2025), and one bronze medal (2019). Jenner scored both goals in Canada’s 2-1 gold medal victory over the United States at the 2022 IIHF Women’s World Championship.
Before joining the PWHL, Jenner was a founding board member of the Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association (PWHPA) and helped launch the organization following the collapse of the Canadian Women’s Hockey League in 2019. She was one of three initial free agent signings made by PWHL Ottawa when the league launched in 2023, and was named the team’s captain in December 2023. Jenner previously won two Clarkson Cup championships with the Calgary Inferno in 2016 and 2019, serving as team captain and scoring twice in the 2016 championship game.
During her collegiate career at Cornell University from 2010 to 2015, Jenner was a two-time ECAC Hockey Player of the Year (2013, 2015), two-time Ivy League Player of the Year (2013, 2015), and two-time finalist for the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award, given to the top player in NCAA Division I women’s ice hockey.
Born and raised in Oakville, Ontario to parents Dave and Brenda Jenner, Brianne learned to skate at age two on an outdoor rink that her father built in their front yard. She began playing organized hockey at age three with the help of her father and uncle, who ran their own youth league. Jenner played minor hockey in St. Catharines, Ontario.Before focusing exclusively on hockey, she also played basketball and soccer.
Jenner attended Appleby College for high school, where she served as captain of the hockey team. During her high school years, she played junior hockey in the Provincial Women’s Hockey League with the Stoney Creek Sabres.
Jenner played with the Mississauga Chiefs during the 2008–09 Canadian Women’s Hockey League season, followed by a season with the Burlington Barracudas. She was named captain of Team Ontario Red at the 2008 National Women’s Under-18 Championship, scoring the game-winning goal in double overtime of the gold medal game. In December 2007, she was recognized as the Toronto Star High School Athlete of the Week.
Jenner played for the Cornell Big Red from 2010 to 2015. In her freshman season (2010–11), she made an immediate impact, finishing tied for the team lead in scoring with 50 points. She was named Ivy League Rookie of the Year after finishing second in NCAA freshman scoring, and earned First Team All-ECAC Hockey and First Team All-Ivy League honors. She was also nominated for the Patty Kazmaier Award, given to the top player in women’s college hockey. On October 29 and 30, 2010, Jenner played a role in both victories for the Cornell Big Red ice hockey team. On October 29, she had three assists at Quinnipiac. The following day, she scored a pair of goals and added an assist at Princeton. Jenner helped Cornell reach the NCAA Frozen Four in both her freshman and sophomore seasons.
During three games from February 7 to February 11, 2012, Jenner led her team with eight points. Versus nationally ranked Mercyhurst, Jenner had a goal and an assist in a February 7 victory over Mercyhurst. In a 5–0 shutout win over the Brown Bears (on February 10), Jenner garnered two assists from two goals. On February 11, Jenner scored the game-winning goal versus the Yale Bulldogs that clinched the ECAC Hockey regular-season championship. She also added another goal and recorded her 30th assist of the season in that game.
In her junior season (2012–13), Jenner had a breakout year, recording 35 goals and 35 assists for 70 points in 32 games. Her 70 points set a Cornell single-season record that still stands. She led the nation in goals per game and was second in points per game, earning ECAC Hockey Player of the Year, Ivy League Player of the Year, First Team All-American, and Cornell MVP honors. She also tied the Cornell single-season record with seven game-winning goals and was named to the ECAC Hockey All-Tournament Team. Jenner was again nominated for the Patty Kazmaier Award and named to the top ten finalists.
Following her junior season, Jenner took a year away from Cornell to compete at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, where she won a gold medal with Team Canada. She returned to Cornell for her senior season (2014–15), leading the ECAC in points with 51 (15 goals and 36 assists). She was named ECAC Forward of the Year as well as ECAC Player of the Year, Ivy League Player of the Year, and Patty Kazmaier Award top ten finalists — all for the second time.
Jenner concluded her Cornell career as the program’s all-time leader in assists (136) and second all-time in points (229). She was a four-time Patty Kazmaier Award nominee, four-time First Team All-ECAC Hockey selection, and a four-time First Team All-Ivy League selection. Off the ice, she was a four-time Academic All-Ivy League selection and was named to the Quill and Dagger senior honor society. She was later nominated by the Ivy League for the NCAA Woman of the Year Award.
On June 6, 2015, Jenner announced her entry into the 2015 CWHL Draft with the intention of being selected by the Calgary Inferno, as she would also be studying for a master’s degree in public policy at the University of Calgary and would be able to play alongside three or more Cornell Big Red graduates. Jenner captained the Inferno and helped the team capture their first Clarkson Cup championship in 2016. Contested at Ottawa’s Canadian Tire Centre, she scored twice in an 8–3 victory over Les Canadiennes de Montréal. She helped the team win a second Clarkson Cup title in 2019. After the 2018–19 season, the CWHL abruptly ceased operations.
After the collapse of the CWHL in 2019, Jenner helped launch the Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association (PWHPA), which led a boycott of the remaining North American professional league, the National Women’s Hockey League, in a bid to gather support for the establishment of a unified, financially sustainable professional league. Jenner skated for Team Sonnet (Toronto) in the 2021 Secret Cup, the Canadian leg of the 2020–21 PWHPA Dream Gap Tour. She recorded one goal in a 4-2 championship game loss versus Team Bauer (Montreal).
In May 2022, the PWHPA signed a letter of intent with Billie Jean King Enterprises and the Mark Walter Group to explore a new professional league. She served on the PWHPA’s bargaining committee alongside Kendall Coyne Schofield, Sarah Nurse, Hilary Knight, and Liz Knox, helping negotiate the collective bargaining agreement ratified in July 2023 that paved the way for the PWHL.
In 2023, Jenner was one of three initial free agent signings made by Ottawa in the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL). She and fellow Team Canada members Emily Clark and Emerance Maschmeyer were the first players announced by any team in the league. On December 29, 2023, Jenner was named Ottawa’s captain. She scored her first PWHL goal on January 23, 2024, in a 3–1 win over Toronto. After a slow start to the season, Jenner found chemistry with linemates Daryl Watts and Kateřina Mrázová. She finished the inaugural PWHL season as Ottawa’s leading scorer with 20 points (9 goals, 11 assists) in 24 games, ranking sixth overall in the league. She also led the team in power-play points (7) and power-play assists. Despite Jenner’s production, Ottawa finished in fifth place and missed the playoffs. She was named to the PWHL Second All-Star Team for the 2023-24 season.
In Ottawa’s second PWHL season, the team rebranded as the Ottawa Charge in September 2024. Jenner recorded 15 points (7 goals, 8 assists) in 28 regular season games. The Charge clinched their first playoff berth on the final day of the regular season. Ottawa finished third in the standings with a 12-2-4-12 record. In the semifinals against the first-seeded Montreal Victoire, Jenner scored in Game 1 as Ottawa won 3-2. In Game 2, she scored late in regulation to force overtime in what became the longest game in PWHL history, a 3-2 Montreal victory in quadruple overtime. Ottawa won the series 3-1 to advance to their first Walter Cup Finals. In the Finals against the defending champion Minnesota Frost, Ottawa won Game 1 before losing the next three games, all decided in overtime. Jenner added 3 points (2 goals, 1 assist) in 8 playoff games as the Charge fell to Minnesota 3-1 in the series. Following the season, Jenner reflected on the team’s playoff run, stating: “We went through a lot this season. We showed a lot of resiliency, and I think these last couple weeks, we did something really special.
Full Interview is Continued on Next Page
This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar, President of womenfitness.net, and should not be reproduced, copied, or hosted in part or in full anywhere without express permission.
All Written Content Copyright © 2026 Women Fitness
During the 2025-26 season, Jenner tied the PWHL single-game record with four points (2 goals, 2 assists) in a 5-1 victory over the Vancouver Goldeneyes on November 26, 2025. She became the sixth player in league history and the first member of the Charge to record a four-point performance. Jenner scored both a power-play goal and a shorthanded goal in the game, Ottawa’s first victory of the season. For her performance, she was named PWHL First Star of the Week.
In a January 9, 2008, contest versus Germany at the inaugural World Women’s Under-18 hockey championship, Jenner scored twice and earned an assist in a 10–1 win. As an 18-year-old in 2009, she was centralized with the Canadian National Women’s Team in preparation for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, though she was among the final players released from the roster.
Jenner made her debut for the Canada national team at the 2010 Four Nations Cup and won a gold medal.
As of 2025, Jenner has won 11 medals (four gold, six silver, one bronze) at the IIHF Women’s World Championship. Jenner made her World Championship debut for the senior national team at the 2012 IIHF Women’s World Championship, helping Canada win gold.
Jenner won silver medals at the 2013, 2015, 2016 and 2017 World Championships. She was named assistant captain of the national team for the first time in 2015. At the 2015 tournament, she recorded one goal and three points in five games and was named one of Canada’s top-3 players. She added one goal and five points at the 2016 IIHF Women’s World Championship and four points in five games at the 2017 IIHF World Championship.
At the 2019 IIHF Women’s World Championship in Finland, Jenner had an outstanding performance with three goals and nine points in seven games and was named one of Canada’s top-3 players, though Canada left the tournament with a bronze medal for the first time in history after losing 4-2 to host Finland in the semifinals.
At the 2021 IIHF Women’s World Championship in Calgary, Canada won the world title for the first time in almost a decade. Jenner, one of just five players left from the gold medal-winning team in 2012, scored the opening goal in the final against the United States and assisted on Marie-Philip Poulin’s overtime winner in Canada’s 3-2 victory. She finished second in tournament scoring with 11 points and a +13 rating in six games.
At the 2022 IIHF Women’s World Championship in Denmark, Jenner scored both goals in Canada’s 2-1 gold medal victory over the United States, defending their world title for the first time since the early 2000s.
Jenner was named to the 2014 Olympic roster for Canada. At the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics, Jenner scored Canada’s first goal in the gold medal game against the United States, a crucial goal with 3:26 remaining in the third period that cut the American lead to 2-1 and sparked Canada’s comeback. Her shot ricocheted off the knee of an American defender and into the net. Canada went on to win 3-2 in overtime, with Marie-Philip Poulin scoring both the tying goal with 55 seconds left in regulation and the overtime winner, securing Canada’s fourth consecutive Olympic gold medal.
At the 2018 Pyeong Chang Winter Olympics, Jenner served as an assistant captain and recorded two assists in five games as Canada won the silver medal after losing 3-2 to the United States in a shootout in the gold medal game. During the preliminary round, Jenner set up game-opening goals by Rebecca Johnston against Russia and Meghan Agosta against the United States. Jenner was selected to shoot in the fifth round of the gold medal game shootout but her shot was blocked.
On January 11, 2022, Jenner was named to Canada’s 2022 Olympic team. At the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, Jenner was named tournament MVP after leading all players with nine goals, tying the Olympic record for most goals in a single women’s tournament. She also added five assists for 14 points in seven games and was named to the Media All-Star team at forward as an assistant captain. Jenner scored her record-tying ninth goal in Canada’s 10-3 semifinal victory over Switzerland. Canada defeated the United States 3-2 in the gold medal game to win their second Olympic gold medal, avenging their shootout loss from Pyeong Chang 2018.
On January 9, 2026, Jenner was named to Canada’s roster to compete at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy. On February 10, 2026, Jenner served as Canada’s captain, in place of an injured Marie-Philip Poulin, in a loss versus the United States. During the team’s quarterfinal game against Germany, Jenner scored at 1:40 helping lead Canada to a 5-1 win and advance to the semifinals. She was part of the squad which won the silver medal following a 2-1 loss against the United States on February 19, 2026.
Women Fitness President Ms. Namita Nayyar catches up with Brianne Jenner– an exceptionally talented and accomplished internationally acclaimed Canadian professional ice hockey player, a three-time Olympic medalist.
Brianne thank you for taking the time to speak with us today. We wish to cover the full spectrum of your life, from the biggest stages to the daily routines that keep you at the top of your game.
Namita Nayyar:
On November 26, 2025, you tied the PWHL single-game record with four points against Vancouver, becoming the first Charge player to do so. You scored both a power-play goal and a shorthanded goal in that game. Can you walk us through your mindset in a performance like that? When do you know you’re in one of those “flow states”?
Brianne Jenner:
You prepare the same for every game. My mindset is to go in knowing what I want my habits to look like. My mindset doesn’t change much from game to game but of course there are days where you do feel in that flow state- whether it’s just how bounces go in the game or how your team is playing, and that night felt like one of those games. My greatest indicator that I’m in that flow state is usually that I’m not thinking at all, just being, reacting, playing and not analyzing too much.
Namita Nayyar:
You’ve found great chemistry with line mates like Daryl Watts and Kateřina Mrázová. What is it about your playing styles that complement each other so well and how does that chemistry develop over the course of a long season?
Brianne Jenner:
These were my line mates in the 2023 season. Watts plays for Toronto now.
Namita Nayyar:
The Charge had a thrilling playoff run, falling just short in the Walter Cup Finals in a series of overtime games. Reflecting on that loss to Minnesota, how does a team use that kind of heartbreak as fuel for the following season?
Brianne Jenner:
We were obviously heartbroken to not win last year but we’ve definitely used that as motivation in the offseason and this year. We can take a lot from what we learned from that experience and take a lot of confidence forward as a group that we’re capable of great things.
Namita Nayyar:
You returned from the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy, where you served as captain in Marie-Philip Poulin’s absence and brought home a silver medal. How does this Olympic experience compare to your previous three, especially with the added perspective of being a mother and having your family there to witness it?
Brianne Jenner:
It was extra special to have my daughter in Milan for her first Olympic experience. Sharing those memories with her is something I’ll cherish for many years to come. It was disappointing to lose that final, but I feel very grateful to be a part of that team and very proud of the way we showed up in the final game.
Namita Nayyar:
Over your long career, how has your training and fitness regimen evolved? What did a workout look like for you at Cornell versus what it looks like now in your mid-30s?
Brianne Jenner:
As an athlete I try to keep learning and adding and tweaking my routines to try to find every marginal gain I can. As I’ve transitioned from being a younger athlete to one later in her career, my training has definitely evolved. In my college days it was more about building foundational strength and aerobic capacity. Now that I am older, I still have to build on that athletic foundation, but I also focus on specifics such as speed, mobility and injury prevention. As a hockey player you have to be well a well-rounded athlete, so I continue to make small shifts in my training while not losing those foundational pieces that I have built up over the course of my career.
Namita Nayyar:
Can you break down your typical workout week during the PWHL season compared to the off-season? What are the non-negotiable in your routine?
Brianne Jenner:
In a typical in-season week, usually practice 2-3 times and play 2-3 games. A few days out from games we are usually hitting a small dose of lower and upper body strength. A day or two before games we often have a speed or power session. And on game days, I usually do a morning activation with a small dose of strength and power as well as a post-game strength session. Usually after game days we try to take a rest day or some sort of active recovery day.
I would like to say that my “non-negotiable” through all of this is balancing the high workload with adequate sleep, but that is not always the case with 3 young kids. That said, my wife and I work together to try to get me as much rest as possible, which is important for my performance and recovery.
The offseason is different in that the focus is less on performance and more on building for the next season. Early in the offseason, it is about healing your body, taking care of anything nagging from the season, and priming it to make gains in the months ahead. Typically I am in the gym 5-6 times a week, but focusing on re-building my body to handle the heavier outputs that come later on. I typically do not skate in the early offseason to give my body a break.
As the offseason moves forward, training begins to focus more on power, and on-ice sessions are more frequent. I first start skating 1-2x per week, eventually building up to 4-5x per week in the 2 months before the season starts.
The best part of the offseason is that there is way less travel, so I spend a lot more time at home with my kids. Even though I am training most days, I am balancing that with family time, which is my only non-negotiable in the offseason.
Namita Nayyar:
Recovery is just as important as the workout. What does your recovery protocol look like, and how has your diet and nutrition changed to support your performance and longevity in the game?
Brianne Jenner:
Sleep and hydration are big elements in my recovery. I also like making use of saunas when possible and keeping up on my foam rolling and stretching routines. And taking time away from hockey is also important for me, enjoying time with my family.
Namita Nayyar:
You’re known for your incredibly high hockey IQ. Beyond the physical, what does your mental training look like? Are there specific exercises or routines you use to maintain focus and composure in high-pressure moments, like the longest game in PWHL history?
Brianne Jenner:
I work closely with our team’s mental performance coach (Kim Thompson). Regular check ins and planning for potential distractions is an important part of my training and game preparation.
Namita Nayyar:
As a pro athlete, you spend a lot of time traveling, on buses, and in dry arena environments. What does your skincare routine look like to keep your skin healthy through a grueling PWHL season?
Brianne Jenner:
Hydration is really important for me. Especially with so much time spent in hotel environments. As I have gotten older, I have tried to focus more on taking care of my skin, but I am not a person with a multi-step routine. I try to have a good moisturizer on hand, but my routine is not much more than that.
Namita Nayyar:
From a hair and makeup perspective, what is your game-day routine? Is it part of your pre-game ritual to feel confident and ready, or is it more of a quick and simple process?
Brianne Jenner:
I keep things pretty simple on game days. I like feeling fresh and well-dressed for games but nothing time-intensive.
Namita Nayyar:
We’d love to get practical. Are there any hero products—whether for hair, skin, or overall wellness—that you always have in your travel bag?
Brianne Jenner:
I like traveling with my sleep mask and loop ear plugs. Especially when on the road and sharing hotel rooms with roommates it helps me with my sleep routines. I also need to have my “bag of tricks” for recovery (lacrosse ball, foam roller, bands, etc.). One of my favorite products in my recovery bag are my toe separators. They’re a very cheap product but so great for foot health, especially when we spend so much time in a restrictive skate.
Namita Nayyar:
Your story began on an outdoor rink your father built. At what point in your journey did you truly believe that playing hockey professionally could be a viable career, and not just a dream?
Brianne Jenner:
I have been lucky to play on the national team for several years now, and throughout my career I have had access to government funding and sponsorships which has enabled me to make a career out of it. It wasn’t until the launch of the PWHL three years ago that we were able to play in a truly “professional” environment on a regular basis, and that players beyond those on the national team could make a career out of it, having access to salaries, benefits, etc. It’s been unbelievable to see how far our sport has come in a few short years.
Namita Nayyar:
You were instrumental in the formation of the PWHL and the PWHPA before it. Looking back at the sacrifices made during the boycott years, what was the moment you knew the fight for a sustainable league was going to be successful?
Brianne Jenner:
Our foundation in those years was hope and belief, but there was no guarantee of success throughout most of the process. We didn’t know for sure that we were going to be able to launch a sustainable league until we signed the CBA the summer before the league launched. It took a lot of trust in each other in the PWHPA and a lot of faith in the process. The players collectively made it happen but sticking to the belief that they deserved a pro league.
Namita Nayyar:
You’ve worn a letter on your jersey for years, for both club and country. How did becoming a mother change your perspective on leadership and being a teammate? Emily Clark mentioned you’ve always had a “mom” quality in the locker room—do you see it that way?
Brianne Jenner:
Becoming a mom changed me in every way. It’s been the greatest experience of my life and has given me so much perspective. I think especially having 3 young kids has made me more patient and easy going. You just can’t be on top of everything with 3 running around you have to roll with the punches. So I’ve learned to let go a bit more and try to worry more about the important things like quality time with them and to be okay with the laundry being behind haha. Having kids has made me level up in some regards, in that I can just handle way more than I ever thought I could, but also calm down because I have more perspective on what is important, and where to put my energy.
Namita Nayyar:
You run your own Hockey Academy in Oakville. What is the most important piece of advice you give to young players, especially girls who now have a clear PWHL dream to aspire to, that you wished you had heard at their age?
Brianne Jenner:
Build your game around your strengths. Don’t try to be another player out there, don’t compare. Just bring the best version of you. Of course you can add to your game, and work on things you need to improve on, but you need to own what makes you, you.
Namita Nayyar:
With the playoff heartbreak fresh and a strong regular season behind you, what is the singular focus for the Ottawa Charge as you push toward the postseason?
Brianne Jenner:
Consistency. Bringing playoff habits into every game down the stretch. We know every game matters so we’ve got to be dialed in on details every period.
Namita Nayyar:
You have a Master’s in Public Policy and have been deeply involved in union leadership. When you eventually hang up your skates, do you see your future in hockey operations, policy, or something entirely different?
Brianne Jenner:
Those are definitely all avenues that I’ve considered. Right now I’m focused on my playing career but it is really exciting to see so many new opportunities for roles within women’s hockey as a result of this league. One of the scariest things about being a pro athlete is that your body times you out of your first career. However this is also really exciting in that you get to start a new chapter in the middle of your working life.
Brianne Jenner Social Media Presence
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bjenner19/
This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar, President of womenfitness.net, and should not be reproduced, copied, or hosted in part or in full anywhere without express permission.
All Written Content Copyright © 2026 Women Fitness