CALGARY, Alta. – Defenceman Tara Watchorn has announced her retirement from international competition with Canada’s National Women’s Team.

“It has been a pleasure to witness Tara's growth from the under-18 level to becoming an Olympian. She took great pride in wearing the Maple Leaf and representing Canada, and her strong character and tremendous personality modelled what we expect of our future national team members and Olympians,” said Melody Davidson, general manager of national women’s team programs for Hockey Canada. “Tara’s ability to effortlessly represent her teammates helped fuel our program throughout many seasons and we wish her success as she transitions from playing to her coaching career.”

Watchorn, 27, made her debut with Canada’s National Women’s Team in 2011 and retires after 46 appearances on the blue-line for Canada in international competition.

The native of Newcastle, Ont., won an Olympic gold medal with Canada in 2014 in Sochi, Russia. Watchorn is a three-time IIHF Women’s World Championship silver-medallist (2011, 2015, 2016) as well as two-time gold-medallist at the 4 Nations Cup (2013, 2014).

Watchorn was a member of Canada’s first National Women’s Under-18 Team that competed at the 2008 IIHF World Women’s U18 Championship in Calgary, winning silver. She played in 21 games for Canada’s National Women’s Under-22/Development Team, recording 10 points, and added two gold medals at the Nations Cup (2010, 2011).

Provincially, she won gold with Ontario Red at the 2007 National Women’s Under-18 Championship and gold with Ontario at the 2007 Canada Winter Games.

“I could not even begin to describe what hockey and this program have done for me as a person on and off the ice,” said Watchorn. “My time as a player leaves me with nothing but fond memories and lifelong lessons that I will carry into the rest of my life. I am truly grateful for all the opportunities I’ve had to wear the Maple Leaf across my chest and learn from some of the most talented and amazing women in this country." 

Moving forward, Watchorn will shift her focus to beginning her coaching career. A highlight video of Watchorn’s career is also available at HockeyCanada.ca.

For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s National Women’s Team, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow through social media on Facebook, Twitter, and Twitter.com/HC_Women.