A Gosling family reunion
Julia and Nicole Gosling have worn the Maple Leaf at the U18 and development levels, and now the cousins are reunited as the Rivalry Series comes to Ontario
From teammates to college hockey competitors, Nicole and Julia Gosling are reuniting on the ice as teammates once again when Canada’s National Women’s Team resumes the Rivalry Series on home ice.
The London, Ontario, cousins are looking forward to reconnecting on another Team Canada squad as the Canadians look to make an impact against the United States in marquee match-ups in Kitchener and Sarnia.
“I am super excited. Anytime you get to put that jersey on is a great feeling, but to be able to do it at this level is a dream come true,” Nicole says.
Nicole, a 5-foot-7 defender and Julia, a 5-foot-11 forward, last played together with Canada’s National Women’s Development Team in a three-game series against the U.S. in August 2022. They also shared the ice with the National Women’s Under-18 Team in 2019, helping Canada to a gold medal at the IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship. Both are looking forward to being on the same side and finding their previous chemistry.
“The chemistry is always there—she can always find me, and I always know where she is,” Julia says. “We can read each other very well on the ice. It will be nice not to have to go up against her, but also to have our family around to see us play together again.”
The U18 Women’s Worlds experience was a highlight for both Goslings, and seeing Julia make her national team debut during the 2021-22 Olympic centralization was a moment of pride for Nicole. Despite being competitors lately, the family ties are strong.
“Our first year playing for Team Canada was the year we won gold and that was a special experience,” Nicole says. “I’ve watched Julia have her success the year before when she made the team. With her being a year older, I am able to watch from her experiences and hopefully be able to follow her. Anytime I get to play with her, it is special not only for us, but for our family as well.”
While Nicole made her debut with Canada’s National Women’s Team on home ice in Kitchener, Julia is representing Canada for a third time in the Rivalry Series.
“There are different roles on the team, and it is important to be a sponge and take in as much information as possible,” Nicole says. “I want to gain as much information as I can when I’m around these players and coaches. Julia has always shared great things and I can’t wait to experience that for myself.”
It’s been a busy school year for both Goslings—Julia is a senior at St. Lawrence University and is third in ECAC scoring with 29 points, while Nicole is a senior at Clarkson University and is sixth in assists. Their teams sit third and fourth in a tight race in the ECAC standings, so reuniting as teammates on Team Canada is a nice change of pace for the cousins.
“I know she will be a little nervous about making her debut, but she will learn on her own—she’s smart and chill. I think she will do well, but I’ll be there to help her through it,” Julia shares. “We’ve been playing against each other so often now that it feels like there that’s extra competitiveness when your family, but it is all love though. We want each other to be successful.”
The cousins are only a year apart and have always been close—their fathers are identical twins and their families live only 15 minutes apart in London—but it was hockey that bonded them even further.
“When we were younger, we were both shy kids and hockey is what brought us together,” Julia says.
Representing Canada with the National Women’s Team is not only a dream come true, but it is extra special being able to do it so close to home. Kitchener and Sarnia are just over an hour away from their hometown. They anticipate many family members and friends with Gosling jerseys in the stands, which makes this reunion even more special.
“I think we will have a lot of Goslings in the stands. It will be great to have that support so close,” Julia says. “Having Nicole and I on the same team when these games are so close to home is just the best.”
“Hockey is always about connections and making friendships but doing it with a family member makes it that much more special,” Nicole adds. “Having that support in the crowd will be special.”
The Rivalry Series plays an important role in how Canada and the United States select their final rosters for the IIHF Women’s World Championship. Julia and Nicole are hoping to showcase their skill and earn their next opportunity to wear the Maple Leaf.
“This has always been our dream to play at the next level together,” Nicole says. “Now that we are here, we want to make the most of it and support each other.”
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