Kristin O’Neill is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who is a forward for the New York Sirens of the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) and member of the Canadian national team, with whom she won silver at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Later that year, she won the Provincial Women’s Hockey League championship with the Stoney Creek Jr. Sabres. With the same Sabres team, she would also gain a silver medal at the 2015 OWHA Provincial championships.
During her final season (2015–16) in the Provincial Women’s Hockey League, she was bestowed the captaincy of the Stoney Creek Jr. Sabres. Leading the team in goals assists and points, she ranked sixth overall in the league. In addition, she was part of the Team Ontario Red roster that won the gold medal at the 2015 Canadian Under-18 Women’s Nationals.
As a freshman, O’Neill ranked second in scoring on the Cornell Big Red. Finishing as the NCAA’s leading scorer in shorthanded goals with five, she placed seventh in the nation among all freshmen with 0.84 points per game.
O’Neill experienced greater success as a sophomore. In addition to leading the Big Red in scoring, she tied for the NCAA lead in shorthanded goals, scoring four, while her seven game-winning goals tied for fourth in the nation. Recognized as the Ivy League Player of the Year, she also gained spots on the ECAC and Ivy League First-Team All-Stars, respectively.
PWHL Montreal of the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) selected O’Neill in the second round, seventh overall, of the 2023 PWHL Draft.[2] On October 30, she joined Montreal on a three-year contract. At the end of December, O’Neill was named one of Montreal’s alternate captains for road games.
During the 2024–25 season, O’Neill scored one goal and five points in 30 games and in four playoff games added one goal and one assist. Following the season, at the 2025 PWHL Draft, she was traded to the New York Sirens along with the 28th overall pick in exchange for forward Abby Roque.
In 2013, O’Neill participated with Team Ontario Blue at the 2013 Canadian Under-18 Women’s Nationals, securing a silver medal. O’Neill was named to the Ontario team, which captured the silver medal in women’s ice hockey at the 2015 Canada Winter Games.
O’Neill and Jamie Lee Rattray recorded the assists on Loren Gabel’s first career goal for the Canadian team in a 2–1 preliminary round loss on November 7, 2018, versus the United States at the 4 Nations Cup.
On January 9, 2026, she was named to Canada’s roster to compete at the 2026 Winter Olympics. On February 7, 2026, O’Neill was one of six Canadian skaters making their Olympic debut as Canada played Switzerland. Two days later, O’Neill contributed a goal as Canada prevailed over Czechia in a 5-1 final. She was part of the squad which won the silver medal following a 2-1 loss against the United States, in which she scored the opening goal, on February 19, 2026.
Women Fitness President Ms. Namita Nayyar catches up with Kristin O’Neill – an exceptionally talented and accomplished Canadian professional ice hockey player, winner of silver medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Here she talks about her fitness journey and the success story.
Namita Nayyar:
Your time with the Stoney Creek Jr. Sabres was incredibly decorated, including a PWHL championship and being named captain in your final season. What was the most important lesson you learned about leadership at such a formative stage in your career?
Kristin O’Neill:
I learned that connection is everything. When people feel valued, included, listened to and comfortable to be themselves a team flourishes. Sometimes going out of your way to connect with those around you goes further than you realize.
Namita Nayyar:
Before focusing entirely on hockey, you also participated in cross country and track and field in high school. How did that running background contribute to the incredible work ethic and skating endurance you’re now known for in the PWHL?
Kristin O’Neill:
I’ve always believed that it is important to be an athlete before a hockey player. To gain a base of strength, coordination, endurance, and agility before focusing entirely on one sport. Running helped me gain a lot of these elements, as did some other sports like tennis. I also think running challenge my mental game, I learned a lot about how i responded to nerves, what I resorted to in moments of intense effort.
Full Interview is Continued on Next Page
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