Our faith in love has been restored! Hockey legends — and former competitors — Caroline Ouellette and Julie Chu just welcomed a baby together.
The arrival of Liv Chu-Ouellette was announced to the world on Twitter by Shannon Miller, who coached Ouellette during her college hockey career, NBC Sports reported.
#AmazingLove #AmazingLife
— Shannon Miller (@Miller12Shannon) November 9, 2017
Congratulations @couellette13 @juliechu13 pic.twitter.com/5AziN9ai8N
Considered two of the greatest female hockey players of all time, Ouellette and Chu have squared off against each other on several occasions.
We're surprised their love story hasn't already spawned a movie.
The former captain of the Canadian WNT just had a baby with the former captain of the USWNT. How do you expect me to be okay right now? 😭
— Kevin Colelli (@kcolelli) November 10, 2017
Ouellette, 38, captained the Canadian women's hockey team to victory at the Sochi Olympics and has four Olympic gold medals. She is also one of only three women to have won the Clarkson Cup and possess gold medals from both the Olympics and the world hockey championships.
Chu, 35, is a four-time Olympian and the second-most decorated American woman in the history of the Winter Games. She also captained the U.S. national women's hockey team from 2011 to 2013.
Further evidence of their love being destiny? When they played against each other, they both wore number 13.
The pair are now teammates in the Canadian Women's Hockey League, where they and their fellow Canadiennes de Montreal took home the Clarkson Cup last season.
Can you say power couple?
Selfie de championnes! / Champions selfie! 📷🏆🎉 #ClarksonCupChampions pic.twitter.com/2namR0dH0c
— Les Canadiennes (@LesCanadiennes) March 6, 2017
Chu is on the team's extended roster due to her commitment as a head coach at Concordia University. Ouellette was on the Canadiennes active roster, but Eyes On The Prize reported that she was taking leave at the beginning of the season.
Hockey fans on social media celebrated the baby news, and many pointed out the stark contrast between women's and men's hockey.
This good news is not out there enough. Congratulations to Caroline Ouellette 🇨🇦 and Julie Chu 🇺🇸 Olympic rivals, CWHL teammates who had their first child today. pic.twitter.com/57BeJUP5AH
— Joe Pack (@JoePack) November 10, 2017
What Julie Chu and Caroline Ouellette have proved is that you too can live the life of an inspirational sports movie with a compelling relationship arc.
— High Heels & High Sticks (@hiheelshisticks) November 11, 2017
Julie Chu and Caroline Ouellette had a baby??? Love is real and all is right with the world???
— Zoe Layla (@oscarbilde) November 10, 2017
Julie Chu and Caroline Ouellette are really out here living an Enemies to Lovers trope
— The Gobbledy GooKat (@KattyCorner) November 11, 2017
THEY DID THAT
Women's hockey is lauded for its inclusivity, with openly gay players playing professionally. Women's hockey also features Harrison Browne, the first openly transgender professional hockey player.
On the flipside, men's hockey is often criticized for fostering an environment of racism and homophobia despite efforts through initiatives like You Can Play to change that. There has never been an openly gay NHL player.
mens hockey: still trying to figure out if gay people are ok
— Zesty The Fool™ (@armadillorollup) November 10, 2017
womens hockey: former team canada and usa captains start a family together announce the birth of their first child
My dude, Shaw is the YCP ambassador on the Habs and he's gotten caught out twice for using homophobic slurs on the ice. Ain't impressed.
— Aly (@alyharania) November 11, 2017
It's hard to pretend that men's hockey doesn't still have a long way to go.
But for now, we're going to focus on the positives. Like the adorable baby these two female powerhouses have added to their family.
i can't believe julie chu and caroline ouellette just ended the USA-canada rivalry forever
— bossy icy nerd 🌼 (@lovethygoalies) November 10, 2017
The only question left is if baby Liv picks up a hockey stick, what national team will she play for?
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