Spitfires Athletic Therapist Jennifer Love wins silver with Team Canada at U18 Women’s Worlds

Windsor Spitfires athletic therapist Jennifer Love captured a silver medal with Team Canada at the U18 Women’s World Championship on Sunday in Sydney, Nova Scotia, following a 2-0 loss to the United States in the gold medal game.

Entering the championship matchup as the tournament’s two undefeated teams, Canada and the U.S. were well acquainted, having faced off in last year’s final, which Canada won. This time, however, the Americans denied the Canadians a repeat title on home ice.

Emily Pohl and Lindsay Stepnowski scored for the United States, while Talla Hansen added two assists in the gold-medal victory. Bianca Birrittieri turned aside all 38 shots she faced to earn the shutout, while Lea-Rose Charrois made 25 saves for Canada.

Love joined the Spitfires organization last summer after previously working with the Sarnia Sting. She was also a member of the gold medal–winning staff at the 2024 U17 World Hockey Challenge in Sarnia.

With more than seven years of experience in the fitness and human performance industry, Love completed a two-year internship with the AHL’s Toronto Marlies and earned her Honours Bachelor of Applied Health Sciences in Athletic Therapy from Sheridan College in 2020. During her studies, she received the Anne Hartley Award for excellence in her field. Love also serves on the OHL Medical and Equipment Committee and has recently participated in NHL development camps with the Vancouver Canucks (2024) and the Ottawa Senators (July 2025).