LAURA FORTINO
Position: Defence
Hometown: Hamilton, Ont.
Birthdate: January 30, 1991
Club Team: Markham Thunder (CWHL)

Road to Centralization
2004-06: Hamilton Reps (Bantam A)
2006-09: Stoney Creek Sabres (PWHL)
2009-13: Cornell University (ECAC)
2013-14: Centralized for Olympics
2014-17: Brampton Thunder (CWHL)

Team Canada Experience
International debut: January 5, 2008 vs. Switzerland
Canada’s National Women’s Team (2011-17): 69GP 9G 22A 31P
Canada’s National Women’s Development Team (2009-12): 17GP 5G 2A 7P
Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team (2008-09): 16GP 3G 11A 14P

Olympic & World Championship Experience
2017 IIHF Women’s World Championship – 5GP 0G 1A 1P (silver medal)
2016 IIHF Women’s World Championship – 5GP 1G 2A 3P (silver medal)
2015 IIHF Women’s World Championship – 5GP 1G 0A 1P (silver medal)
2014 Olympic Winter Games – 5GP 0G 1A 1P (gold medal)
2013 IIHF Women’s World Championship – 5GP 0G 2A 2P (silver medal)
2012 IIHF Women’s World Championship – 5GP 2G 2A 4P (gold medal)
2009 IIHF World Women’s U18 Championship – 5GP 0G 4A 4P (silver medal)
2008 IIHF World Women’s U18 Championship – 4GP 1G 4A 5P (silver medal)

Who has played the biggest role in getting you to centralization?
“I wouldn’t say it is one person in particular. For me, over my career, it is a network of people. It starts with my family, giving me the opportunity to do something that I love, and providing me everything to be successful, and helping me build the person that I am. All the coaches, all the mentors I have had, have played a massive role. And, of course, all my teammates and the people I have met along the way.”

When did you decide you wanted to play for Team Canada?
“Growing up, I was always surrounded by boys. I had three brothers and I played boys hockey, so I thought the NHL was the route. But my brothers told that wasn’t going to happen, so at a young age, once I knew hockey was something I wanted to do, I asked my dad, ‘What’s it going to be for me?’ And he said the Olympics. When it really set in for me was when I made my first U18 national team. That’s when I realized it was really something I wanted to do for as long as I can.”

What is the most important thing hockey has given you?
“Hockey has given me a lot. The ability to travel the world with an incredible group of women. Some of my best friends are on this team, but it is more than that. It has helped me in so many ways in life. The morals and values I have gained from hockey – teamwork, confidence, the ability to overcome obstacles – I’m going to be able to have that strength and apply it to life after hockey. It has helped me become a better person.”