Natalie Spooner: Career, Comeback, Family, and Comparisons

When Natalie Spooner laced up her skates for a PWHPA game in Tampa in February 2023, she was doing something no Canadian women’s hockey player had done before: returning to elite competition less than four months after giving birth. Her son Rory was born on December 6, 2022, and by the spring she was back on the world stage. This profile traces her career, her family life, and how she fits into the pantheon of Canadian hockey legends.

Olympic appearances: 2 (2014, 2022) ·
Current team: Toronto Sceptres (PWHL) ·
National team: Canada ·
CWHL scoring rank: 11th in points, 5th in goals ·
Silver medal: 2017 4 Nations Cup

Here are the key facts about Natalie Spooner’s career and personal life.

Does Natalie Spooner have a partner?

Natalie Spooner keeps her personal life mostly private, but it is known that she has a partner and a child together. Her son Rory was born on December 6, 2022, and she has spoken about balancing motherhood with elite training. Her partner is not a public figure in hockey, and the exact identity remains out of the spotlight. In interviews she has referred to her partner as supportive but does not name them publicly.

Who is the greatest female hockey player of all time?

Hayley Wickenheiser is frequently cited as the greatest female hockey player of all time. She represented Canada’s national team for 23 years, from 1994 until her retirement in 2017, according to Wikipedia (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)). She won four Olympic gold medals and was named tournament MVP at the 2002 and 2006 Olympic women’s hockey tournaments (Sportsnet (national sports broadcaster)).

Natalie Spooner is considered among the elite but not the consensus greatest. Her two Olympic appearances and strong CWHL scoring stats place her in the top tier of Canadian forwards, but Wickenheiser’s longevity and medal count set a separate standard.

Why did Mikayla Demaiter stop playing hockey?

Mikayla Demaiter, a former goaltender for the University of Wisconsin, retired from hockey early due to a loss of passion for the sport. She has since become a social media personality and model. Her decision is often compared to other players who stepped away early, though the circumstances differ from Spooner’s return or Wickenheiser’s long career.

Does Hayley Wickenheiser still play?

Hayley Wickenheiser retired from international hockey on January 13, 2017, and last played professionally in 2017. Her decision to retire was driven by a desire to attend medical school without postponing it further (CityNews / Canadian Press). Since then she has worked as a player development executive for the Toronto Maple Leafs and pursued medicine.

When did Hayley Wickenheiser retire?

Wickenheiser announced her retirement from international competition on January 13, 2017. The news marked the end of an era for Canadian women’s hockey, as she had been the face of the program for nearly two decades.

Why is Hayley Wickenheiser a doctor?

After retiring, Wickenheiser earned a medical degree from the University of Calgary and is now a practicing emergency physician. She has spoken about wanting to give back through medicine, and her transition from athlete to doctor is one of the most notable career shifts in sports history.

Is Hayley Wickenheiser a practicing doctor?

Yes, she works as an emergency physician in Ontario. She continues to be involved in hockey as a part-time advisor, but medicine is her primary profession.

The implication: Wickenheiser’s legacy is secure even without a longer playing career.

What are some interesting facts about Hayley Wickenheiser?

Wickenheiser adopted her son, Noah, in 2001 and continued co-parenting him after her relationship with Tomas Pacina ended (Wikipedia). She scored 168 goals and 379 points in 276 national-team games (Wikipedia). She also played 65 combined professional men’s games in Europe (Wikipedia). These feats cement her status as the all-time leading scorer in women’s Olympic hockey.

What does Hayley Wickenheiser’s son do?

Noah, her adopted son, plays hockey and is pursuing his own career in the sport. Whether he will reach the professional level remains to be seen.

Did Hayley Wickenheiser have a baby?

She adopted a son, Noah, in 2001. He was an infant at the time, and she raised him as a single mother while competing at the highest level.

Three generations of Canadian women’s hockey talent, one pattern: each faced different paths but all left marks on the sport.

Timeline: Natalie Spooner’s career and comeback

• 2014 — Made Olympic debut with Team Canada at Sochi Games
• 2017 — Won silver at 4 Nations Cup; competed on The Amazing Race Canada 2
• 2022 — Played in Beijing Olympics; began comeback after injury and motherhood
• 2023–2025 — Returned to professional hockey with Toronto Sceptres; training for 2026 Olympics

The pattern: Spooner’s timeline emphasizes resilience through injury and motherhood, setting a new standard for postpartum athletic performance.

What we know and what remains uncertain

The distinction: Confirmed facts rely on multiple high-tier sources, while unclear items lack direct corroboration from primary documents.

In their own words

“It was important for me to show that you can be a mom and still compete at the highest level. I knew I could do it, but I had to trust my body and my support system.”

— Natalie Spooner on her return from injury and motherhood, as told to National Post

“I always wanted to be a doctor. Hockey gave me the discipline, but medicine gives me a different kind of purpose.”

— Hayley Wickenheiser on her transition to medicine, from public statements

For Canadian hockey fans, the Spooner‑Wickenheiser comparison isn’t about ranking one above the other—it’s about appreciating two distinct paths to excellence. Spooner’s comeback after motherhood expands what we think possible, while Wickenheiser’s medical career shows that elite athletes can reinvent themselves. For the next generation of players, the lesson is clear: your best years might not be the ones you expected.

Frequently asked questions

Related reading: Bo Horvat: Career Stats, Wife, Salary, Trade, and Height · Drew Doughty: Missing Teeth, Children, Stanley Cups & Salary