Imagine a world where the precision of civil engineering meets the fast-paced action of ice hockey. Sounds unlikely, right? But that’s exactly the unique journey of Sophie Jaques, a rising star in the hockey world who’s leveraging her engineering degree to dominate on the ice. When Sophie first enrolled in civil engineering at Ohio State University, she had no idea her problem-solving skills would one day become her secret weapon in pursuit of Olympic glory at Milano Cortina 2026. And this is the part most people miss—how a seemingly unrelated field can transform an athlete’s approach to their sport.
Sophie’s love for math and science naturally led her to engineering, but it was the practical, real-world applications of civil engineering that truly resonated with her. In an exclusive interview with Olympics.com, she shared, ‘What I loved most about civil engineering is how applicable it is to your daily life.’ Little did she know, those problem-solving and adaptability skills would soon become her superpower on the ice. ‘It carries over into my game,’ she explained. ‘I’m able to stay level-headed, calm, and collected, even in high-pressure situations.’
But here’s where it gets controversial: Can a mindset rooted in roadway design and traffic flow really make a difference in a sport as dynamic as ice hockey? Sophie’s answer is a resounding yes. As a defender, she must read fast-changing plays and react instantly—skills she attributes to her engineering training. ‘I’m open-minded to try new things and make adjustments without fear,’ she said. This adaptability isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s essential for survival in a league where every forward is a threat.
Sophie’s engineering specialization in transportation has even sparked a dream project: designing the transportation system for an Olympic village. She envisions a seamless network that minimizes travel time for athletes, maximizes public transport efficiency, and reduces road congestion. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves—her immediate goal is securing a spot on the Canadian women’s ice hockey team for the 2026 Olympics.
Her journey to this point hasn’t been without its challenges. At the 2025 World Championships, Sophie and her teammates settled for silver after a hard-fought final against the United States. Is silver a disappointment, or a stepping stone? For Sophie, it was a spark. ‘That silver medal is motivating,’ she said. ‘It makes you want to get back there and win. It fueled my journey and opened my eyes to the possibility of becoming an Olympian.’
Playing alongside legends like Marie-Philip Poulin has been both inspiring and humbling. Sophie recalls her earliest Olympic memory—watching Poulin and the Canadian teams win gold at Vancouver 2010—as a defining moment. ‘It is a sport that brings people together,’ she said. ‘Whether it’s a late-night beer league game or a sold-out PWHL arena, hockey is a fun sport to be part of. I have so much pride representing Canada and this sport.’
The rise of the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) has played a pivotal role in Sophie’s growth and the sport’s evolution. But is the PWHL just another league, or a game-changer for women’s hockey? Sophie argues the latter. ‘It has made everyone better,’ she said. ‘More teammates to learn from, great coaches, and more opportunities for growth. It’s also changed the game for fans—it’s its own sport, and it’s fun to watch.’
The PWHL has also tightened the international competition, giving players regular exposure to top-tier opponents and valuable experience to bring back to their national teams. This is why Sophie is convinced that Milano Cortina 2026 will be the best women’s ice hockey tournament ever seen. With the Olympics falling mid-PWHL season, players will be at their peak. But will this elevated competition level the playing field, or widen the gap between nations? That’s a question for the ice to answer.
Sophie’s own game has taken significant strides, particularly defensively. She’s refined details like stick positioning and blade angles, which have made her a more formidable opponent. ‘You truly have to stay calm when defending, or you’ll get exposed,’ she said. Once again, her engineering mindset has proven invaluable.
After two historic seasons with the Minnesota Frost, where she won back-to-back Walter Cup trophies, Sophie has joined the Vancouver Goldeneyes, one of the PWHL’s new expansion teams. ‘Winning the first-ever Walter Cup is something nobody can take away from us,’ she said. Now, she’s chasing another dream: stepping into her first Olympic village as a player—and maybe, just maybe, designing one herself someday.
So, here’s the question for you: How much does an athlete’s background outside their sport truly influence their performance? And could Sophie’s engineering mindset be the key to Canada’s next Olympic gold? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments!
