{{Short description|American ice hockey player (born 1999)}} {{Use American English|date=February 2026}} {{Use mdy dates|date=October 2018}} {{Infobox ice hockey player | name = Cayla Barnes | image = Cayla Barnes.jpg | caption = Barnes with the Seattle Torrent in 2026 | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1999|1|7}} | birth_place = Eastvale, California, U.S. | height_ft = 5 | height_in = 2 | weight_lb = 139 | position = Defense | shoots = Right | league = PWHL | team = Seattle Torrent | former_teams = Montreal Victoire | sex = f | ntl_team = USA | career_start = 2017 | career_end = | medaltemplates = {{MedalCountry|{{USA}}}} {{MedalOlympic}} {{MedalGold|2018 Pyeongchang|Team}} {{MedalGold|2026 Milano Cortina|Team}} {{MedalSilver|2022 Beijing|Team}} {{MedalCompetition|World Championship}} {{MedalGold|2019 Finland|}} {{MedalGold|2023 Canada|}} {{MedalGold|2025 Czechia|}} {{MedalSilver|2021 Canada|}} {{MedalSilver|2022 Denmark|}} {{MedalSilver|2024 United States|}} }} '''Cayla Marie Barnes''' (born January 7, 1999) is an American ice hockey player for the Seattle Torrent of the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) and the United States women's national ice hockey team.
A three-time Olympic medalist, Barnes won gold at the 2018 Winter Olympics as the youngest player on Team USA, silver at the 2022 Winter Olympics, and gold at the 2026 Winter Olympics. She has competed in six IIHF Women's World Championships, earning three gold medals (2019, 2023, 2025) and three silver medals (2021, 2022, 2024), and was named to the tournament all-star team in 2019. Barnes is the first player in history to win three consecutive gold medals at the IIHF World Women's U18 Championship (2015, 2016, 2017), earning Best Defender honors in 2016 and 2017.
Barnes played college ice hockey at Boston College and Ohio State, where she won the 2024 NCAA National Championship with the Buckeyes. She was drafted fifth overall by PWHL Montreal in the 2024 PWHL draft and later signed with the expansion Seattle Torrent in 2025.
==Early life== Born in Eastvale, California to Michelle Church and Scott Barnes, Cayla is the youngest of five siblings with four older brothers.<ref name="teamusa-profile">{{cite web|url=https://www.teamusa.com/profiles/cayla-barnes-823261|title=Cayla Barnes|publisher=Team USA|access-date=December 13, 2024}}</ref> Barnes initially began skating as a figure skater, her mother's preference after having four sons.<ref name="issuu">{{cite web|url=https://issuu.com/newhamptonschool/docs/hamptonia_digital/s/39695|title=Understated Gold - Cayla Barnes '17|publisher=New Hampton School|access-date=December 13, 2024}}</ref><ref name="pwhlseattle">{{cite web|url=https://thehockeynews.com/womens/pwhl/pwhl-seattle-s-first-defender-cayla-barnes-is-honored-to-be-part-of-the-inaugural-team|title=PWHL Seattle's First Defender, Cayla Barnes, Is Honored To Be Part Of The Inaugural Team|work=The Hockey News|date=August 4, 2025|access-date=December 13, 2024}}</ref> However, she was drawn to ice hockey after watching the hockey program at the other end of the rink during her figure skating lessons, and switched to ice hockey around age three.<ref name="issuu"/> Growing up in Eastvale within driving distance to Anaheim and Los Angeles, Barnes' four older brothers all played roller hockey, which inspired her to start playing as well.<ref name="usahockey2022">{{cite web|url=https://teamusa.usahockey.com/news_article/show/1258380|title=Cayla Barnes Serves as Role Model for Girls' Hockey in California|publisher=USA Hockey|date=December 20, 2022|access-date=December 13, 2024}}</ref> "I just loved it from the start," Barnes said. "I just kept going with it. But I definitely got into it because they all played, and I just wanted to do what they did."<ref name="usahockey2022"/>
As a youth player in Southern California, Barnes played for the 10U Anaheim Ducks, Lady Ducks, 12U LA Selects, and 14U LA Kings.<ref name="usahockey2022"/> Due to limited girls' hockey programs in California at the time, she primarily played on boys' teams during her development years.<ref name="newhampton2018">{{cite web|url=https://today.newhampton.org/alumni-spotlight/dreams-do-come-true-cayla-barnes-17-is-pyeongchang-bound/|title=Dreams Do Come True: Cayla Barnes '17 is PyeongChang Bound|publisher=New Hampton School|date=January 25, 2018|access-date=December 13, 2024}}</ref> Barnes watched the 2010 Winter Olympics at around age 11 and decided she wanted to pursue college hockey and make a national team roster.<ref name="usahockey2022"/> Recognizing that opportunities for recruitment and development were greater on the East Coast, she left California at age 14 after completing eighth grade to attend boarding school.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Elliott|first=Helene|date=2018-08-20|title=Cayla Barnes and Dominique Petrie help reaffirm the power of Southern California hockey|url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/olympics/la-sp-socal-hockey-elliott-20180820-story.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180821064230/http://www.latimes.com/sports/olympics/la-sp-socal-hockey-elliott-20180820-story.html |archive-date=August 21, 2018 |access-date=2020-12-07|website=Los Angeles Times}}</ref><ref name="newhampton2018"/><ref name="issuu"/> She moved to Massachusetts to play for the East Coast Wizards at the 14U, 16U, and 19U levels before enrolling at New Hampton School in New Hampshire.<ref name="usahockey2022"/> Barnes was a multi-sport athlete at New Hampton and played ice hockey, soccer, and lacrosse.<ref name="OSU-profile">{{cite web |title=Cayla Barnes |url=https://ohiostatebuckeyes.com/sports/womens-ice-hockey/roster/cayla-barnes/9717 |website=ohiostatebuckeyes.com |publisher=Ohio State University |access-date=March 31, 2024}}</ref>
==Playing career== ===College=== ====Boston College (2017–2023)==== Barnes enrolled at Boston College in the fall of 2017 and played in the first five games of the season before receiving a call-up to join the U.S. Women's National Team in Tampa, Florida, on October 28, 2017.<ref name="bc-callup">{{cite web|url=https://bceagles.com/news/2017/10/28/womens-hockey-barnes-added-to-2017-18-us-womens-national-team.aspx|title=Barnes Added to 2017-18 U.S. Women's National Team|publisher=Boston College Athletics|date=October 28, 2017|access-date=December 13, 2024}}</ref><ref name="uscho-2017">{{cite web|url=https://www.uscho.com/2017/10/29/boston-college-freshman-cayla-barnes-leaves-school-joins-u-s-womens-national-team/|title=Boston College freshman Barnes leaves school, joins U.S. Women's National Team|work=USCHO.com|date=October 29, 2017|access-date=December 13, 2024}}</ref> She withdrew from Boston College to prepare for the 2018 Winter Olympics, preserving her freshman year of eligibility, and returned in August 2018 to restart her freshman year both academically and athletically.<ref name="bc-callup"/><ref name="uscho-2017"/>
Barnes returned to Boston College as a redshirt freshman for the 2018–19 season, playing in 36 games and recording 19 points on five goals and 14 assists.<ref name="bc-profile">{{cite web|url=https://bceagles.com/sports/womens-ice-hockey/roster/cayla-barnes/15994|title=Cayla Barnes|publisher=Boston College Athletics|access-date=December 13, 2024}}</ref> She was named to both the Hockey East Third Team All-Star and All-Rookie Team.<ref name="bc-profile"/> In her sophomore season (2019–20), Barnes tallied a career-high six goals and 17 assists for 23 points in 35 games, while leading all Hockey East skaters and ranking third in the NCAA with 103 blocked shots.<ref name="icegarden-top25">{{cite web|url=https://www.theicegarden.com/2020/8/20/21373011/2020-top-25-under-25-cayla-barnes-boston-college-eagles-womens-hockey|title=2020 Top 25 Under 25 {{!}} No. 7: Cayla Barnes|work=The Ice Garden|date=August 20, 2020|access-date=December 13, 2024}}</ref> She earned Hockey East Second Team All-Star honors.<ref name="bc-profile"/>
Barnes was one of three co-captains for Boston College in the 2020–21 season, joining teammates Meagan Beres and Kelly Browne.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-04-22|title=Crowley Announces Trio of Captains for 2020-2021 Season|url=https://bceagles.com/news/2020/4/22/womens-hockey-crowley-announces-trio-of-captains-for-2020-2021-season.aspx|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221108045549/https://bceagles.com/news/2020/4/22/womens-hockey-crowley-announces-trio-of-captains-for-2020-2021-season.aspx|archive-date=November 8, 2022|access-date=2020-09-10|website=Boston College Athletics}}</ref> In the COVID-shortened season, she recorded 10 points on four goals and six assists in 19 games while leading the team with 36 blocked shots.<ref name="bc-uscho">{{cite web|url=https://bceagles.com/news/2021/4/3/womens-hockey-cayla-barnes-earns-uscho-honors|title=Cayla Barnes Earns All-USCHO Second Team Honors|publisher=Boston College Athletics|date=April 3, 2021|access-date=December 13, 2024}}</ref> She was named a Hockey East First Team All-Star and AHCA Second Team All-American.<ref name="bc-profile"/>
Barnes took a leave of absence from Boston College for the 2021–22 season to compete in the 2022 Winter Olympics.<ref name="bostonglobe">{{cite web|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/10/19/sports/two-time-olympian-cayla-barnes-brings-key-experience-her-sixth-year-boston-college/|title=Two-time Olympian Cayla Barnes brings key experience to her sixth year at Boston College|work=The Boston Globe|date=October 20, 2022|access-date=December 13, 2024}}</ref> She returned for the 2022–23 season as team captain in her redshirt senior year, recording 19 points on six goals and 13 assists in 36 games while leading BC with 63 blocked shots.<ref name="heights">{{cite web|url=https://www.bcheights.com/2023/03/26/cayla-barnes-and-hannah-bilka-transfer-to-ohio-state/|title=Captains Cayla Barnes and Hannah Bilka Transfer to Ohio State|work=The Heights|date=March 26, 2023|access-date=December 13, 2024}}</ref> She was named Hockey East Second Team All-Star and earned Hockey East Defender of the Month honors in January 2023.<ref name="bc-profile"/><ref name="bc-dotm">{{cite web|url=https://bceagles.com/news/2023/2/5/womens-hockey-cayla-barnes-named-hockey-east-defender-of-the-month|title=Cayla Barnes Named Hockey East Army ROTC Defender of the Month|publisher=Boston College Athletics|date=February 5, 2023|access-date=December 13, 2024}}</ref> Barnes concluded her Boston College career with 75 points (20 goals, 55 assists) in 131 games, ranking seventh all-time among BC defenders in points.<ref name="bc-profile"/>
====Ohio State (2023–2024)==== On March 25, 2023, Barnes announced that she would be transferring to Ohio State University for the 2023–24 season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ohiostatebuckeyes.com/ohio-state-signs-cayla-barnes-and-hannah-bilka-for-2023-24-season/|title=Ohio State Signs Cayla Barnes and Hannah Bilka for 2023-24 Season|website=ohiostatebuckeyes.com|date=March 25, 2023|access-date=March 25, 2023}}</ref> In her lone season with the Buckeyes and her final year of NCAA eligibility, Barnes recorded 36 points on 11 goals and 25 assists in 39 games.<ref name="osu-profile">{{cite web|url=https://ohiostatebuckeyes.com/sports/womens-ice-hockey/roster/cayla-barnes/9717|title=Cayla Barnes|publisher=Ohio State Athletics|access-date=December 13, 2024}}</ref> Her +71 plus-minus rating led the nation by 16 over the next-best player.<ref name="icegarden-2024">{{cite web|url=https://www.theicegarden.com/2024-top-25-under-25-cayla-barnes-18-gwyneth-philips-17/|title=2024 Top 25 Under 25: Cayla Barnes (18), Gwyneth Philips (17)|work=The Ice Garden|date=July 16, 2024|access-date=December 13, 2024}}</ref>
In the finals of the 2024 NCAA Championship game, Barnes made a crucial defensive play to break up a Wisconsin breakaway before assisting on the championship-winning goal scored by Joy Dunne in Ohio State's 1–0 victory over Wisconsin.<ref name="uscho-championship">{{cite web|url=https://www.uscho.com/2024/03/24/ohio-state-crowned-2024-ncaa-d-i-womens-hockey-national-champion-downs-wisconsin-1-0-to-bring-home-title/|title=Ohio State crowned 2024 NCAA D-I women's hockey national champion, downs Wisconsin 1-0 to bring home title|work=USCHO.com|date=March 25, 2024|access-date=December 13, 2024}}</ref><ref name="thw-draft"/> The title capped off Barnes' six-year collegiate career with her first NCAA national championship.<ref name="uscho-championship"/> She was named Second Team AHCA All-American for the season.<ref name="osu-profile"/>
===Professional===
====PWHL Montreal (2024–2025)==== 240px|thumb|right|alt=Barnes defends against Boston Fleet, January 2025|Barnes defends against Boston Fleet, January 2025{{external media | float =right | width = | topic = <!--centered italic text---> | caption = <!-- text placed left or right of headerimage ---> | headerimage= <!--search commons please include "|alt= text" and x-height in px "|x20px" example alt=YouTube logo|x20px|left or ...|right]] ---> | title = | video1 = [https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Lj_OThkxR_g Barnes' first professional goal] PWHL Montreal, December 5, 2024 | video2 = | video3 = }}
On June 10, 2024, Barnes was drafted in the first round, fifth overall by PWHL Montreal in the 2024 PWHL draft.<ref name="thw-draft">{{cite web|last1=Kennedy|first1=Ian|title=Cayla Barnes Has Closed The Gap Toward The PWHL's First Overall Pick|url=https://thehockeynews.com/womens/pwhl/cayla-barnes-has-closed-the-gap-toward-the-pwhls-first-overall-pick|website=The Hockey News|access-date=March 31, 2024|date=March 29, 2024}}</ref> She signed a three-year contract with the team on June 21, 2024.<ref name="cbc-montreal">{{cite web|last1=Donkin|first1=Karissa|title=Free agency opens: PWHL Montreal signs top draft pick Cayla Barnes to 3-year deal|url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/pwhl/pwhl-free-agency-2024-opening-1.7242582|website=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|access-date=June 21, 2024|date=June 21, 2024}}</ref> During the 2024–25 PWHL season, Barnes led all Victoire players in time on ice and recorded two goals and 11 assists for 13 points in 30 regular season games, ranking third among all PWHL rookies in scoring.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thepwhl.com/en/news/2025/june/05/pwhl-seattle-signs-cayla-barnes-to-three-year-contract|title=PWHL Seattle signs Cayla Barnes to three-year contract|website=thepwhl.com|date=June 5, 2025|access-date=June 5, 2025}}</ref><ref name="yahoo-preview">{{cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/article/seattle-torrent-2025-26-pwhl-111607001.html|title=Seattle Torrent 2025-26 PWHL preview: A superstar core offers immediate hope|work=Yahoo Sports|date=November 21, 2025|access-date=December 13, 2024}}</ref>
On December 4, 2024, Barnes scored her first professional goal on a breakaway against the New York Sirens, receiving a pass from Jennifer Gardiner and finishing with a backhand shot in a 4–1 loss at Place Bell.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/montreal-victoire-sirens-pwhl-1.7401723|title=Sarah Fillier strikes twice in Sirens' win over Montreal Victoire in PWHL season opener|work=CBC News|date=December 4, 2024|access-date=December 13, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.habseyesontheprize.com/victoire-vs-sirens-recap-highlights-sarah-fillier-montreal-new-york-pwhl/|title=Victoire vs. Sirens: Sarah Fillier's three-point game leads New York|work=Habs Eyes on the Prize|date=December 5, 2024|access-date=December 13, 2024}}</ref> On March 8, 2025, Barnes scored a dramatic overtime goal just 21 seconds into the extra period to give Montreal a 3–2 victory over the Boston Fleet at Agganis Arena before a sellout crowd of 5,968.<ref name="barnes-ot">{{cite web|url=https://www.thepwhl.com/en/news/2025/march/08/montr-al-spoils-boston-s-agganis-arena-debut-with-3-2-overtime-win|title=Montréal Spoils Boston's Agganis Arena Debut With 3-2 Overtime Win|website=PWHL|date=March 8, 2025|access-date=December 13, 2024}}</ref><ref name="cbc-ot">{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/pwhl/pwhl-montreal-victoire-boston-fleet-march-8-1.7478693|title=Cayla Barnes scores in OT to lift Victoire past Fleet in front of sell-out crowd at Boston University|work=CBC Sports|date=March 8, 2025|access-date=December 13, 2024}}</ref> The backhand goal on a rush, assisted by Laura Stacey, snapped Boston's franchise-record seven-game home winning streak and was Barnes' second goal of the season.<ref name="barnes-ot"/><ref name="cbc-ot"/>
Montreal finished first in the regular season standings with 53 points (12–7–3–8) but was eliminated in the first round of the 2025 PWHL playoffs by the Ottawa Charge in four games.<ref name="montreal-season">{{cite web|url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024–25_Montreal_Victoire_season|title=2024–25 Montreal Victoire season|website=Wikipedia|access-date=December 13, 2024}}</ref><ref name="playoffs-2025">{{cite web|url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_PWHL_playoffs|title=2025 PWHL playoffs|website=Wikipedia|access-date=December 13, 2024}}</ref>
====Seattle Torrent (2025–present)==== [[File:Cayla Barnes 2025.jpg|thumb|right|Barnes with the Seattle Torrent in 2025]] During the league's expansion to eight teams ahead of the 2025–26 season, Barnes was left unprotected by the Victoire and signed a three-year contract with the Seattle Torrent on June 5, 2025.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/other-sports/pwhl-seattle-adds-third-olympian-to-its-roster/|title=PWHL Seattle adds third Olympian to its roster|newspaper=The Seattle Times|date=June 5, 2025|access-date=June 5, 2025}}</ref> Barnes was one of the Torrent's marquee signings during general manager Meghan Turner's exclusive signing window, joining Hilary Knight and Alex Carpenter as the foundation of the expansion franchise.<ref name="pwhl-preview">{{cite web|url=https://www.thepwhl.com/en/teams/seattle-torrent/news/2025/november/17/seattle-torrent-2025-26-season-preview|title=Seattle Torrent 2025-26 Season Preview|website=PWHL|date=November 17, 2025|access-date=December 13, 2024}}</ref>
The Torrent made their home debut on November 28, 2025, at Climate Pledge Arena against the Minnesota Frost. The game drew 16,014 fans, setting a new attendance record for a women's hockey game in a U.S. arena and becoming the highest-attended home venue game in PWHL history.<ref name="torrent-record">{{cite web|url=https://www.si.com/onsi/breakaway/seattle-torrent-makes-pwhl-history-home-opener|title=Seattle Torrent Makes PWHL History in Home Opener|work=Sports Illustrated|date=November 29, 2025|access-date=December 13, 2024}}</ref><ref name="seattletimes-opener">{{cite web|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/torrent/seattle-torrent-drop-pwhl-home-opener-to-minnesota-before-record-crowd/|title=Seattle Torrent drop PWHL home opener to Minnesota before record crowd|work=The Seattle Times|date=November 29, 2025|access-date=December 13, 2024}}</ref> Although Seattle lost the game 3–0, the crowd's enthusiastic support throughout the match signaled strong community backing for the expansion franchise.<ref name="torrent-record"/>
On December 3, 2025, the Torrent earned their first franchise victory with a dramatic 2–1 win over the New York Sirens at Climate Pledge Arena.<ref name="torrent-firstwin">{{cite web|url=https://www.si.com/onsi/breakaway/seattle-torrent-capture-first-ever-home-win|title=Torrent Capture First Home Win in History|work=Sports Illustrated|date=December 4, 2025|access-date=December 13, 2024}}</ref> Barnes played a key role in the comeback victory, assisting on both Seattle goals scored in the final 90 seconds of the game.<ref name="thw-firstwin">{{cite web|url=https://thehockeywriters.com/torrent-earn-first-win-in-franchise-history-with-2-1-victory-over-sirens-12-3-2025/|title=Torrent Earn First Win in Franchise History with 2-1 Victory Over Sirens|work=The Hockey Writers|date=December 4, 2025|access-date=December 13, 2024}}</ref> Trailing 1–0 late in the third period, Barnes passed to Hannah Bilka, whose shot created a rebound that Carpenter buried for Seattle's first home goal in franchise history at 18:36.<ref name="thw-firstwin"/> Twenty-two seconds later, Barnes and Bilka combined again, with Knight scoring the game-winner in front of 8,622 fans.<ref name="torrent-firstwin"/><ref name="thw-firstwin"/> On January 20, 2026, Barnes recorded an assist in Seattle's 6–4 victory over Toronto. The Torrent's six goals set a franchise record and matched the season high for any PWHL team.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.si.com/onsi/breakaway/five-olympians-record-points-torrent-olympic-sendoff |title=Five Olympians Record Points for Torrent in Olympic Sendoff |website=si.com |publisher=Sports Illustrated |date=January 21, 2026 |access-date=January 21, 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thepwhl.com/en/news/2026/january/20/seattle-tops-toronto-in-high-scoring-6-4-thriller |title=Seattle tops Toronto in high-scoring 6-4 thriller |website=thepwhl.com |date=January 20, 2026 |access-date=January 21, 2026}}</ref>
== International play == Barnes has represented the United States on both youth and senior national teams, earning multiple medals in international competition. She is the first player in history to win three consecutive gold medals at the IIHF Women's World U18 Championship and has competed in two Olympic Games, winning gold in 2018 and silver in 2022. At the senior level, she has participated in six World Championships, earning three gold and three silver medals.<ref name="teamusa-profile"/><ref name="pwhl-seattle-signs">{{cite web|url=https://www.thepwhl.com/en/news/2025/june/05/pwhl-seattle-signs-cayla-barnes-to-three-year-contract|title=PWHL Seattle signs Cayla Barnes to three-year contract|website=PWHL|date=June 5, 2025|access-date=December 13, 2024}}</ref>
===Youth national team=== Barnes represented the United States at the 2015, 2016, and 2017 IIHF Women's World U18 Championship, becoming the first player in history to win three consecutive gold medals at the tournament.<ref name="usahockey-u18">{{cite web|title=2017-18 U.S. Women's National Team Roster: #3 Cayla Barnes|url=http://teamusa.usahockey.com/page/show/3742979-cayla-barnes|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171216144101/http://teamusa.usahockey.com/page/show/3742979-cayla-barnes|archive-date=December 16, 2017|access-date=2017-12-15|website=USA Hockey}}</ref><ref name="icegarden-2020">{{Cite web|last=Tokarski|first=Anne|date=2020-08-20|title=2020 Top 25 Under 25 {{!}} No. 7: Cayla Barnes|url=https://www.theicegarden.com/2020/8/20/21373011/2020-top-25-under-25-cayla-barnes-boston-college-eagles-womens-hockey|access-date=2020-12-07|website=The Ice Garden|archive-date=October 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211021025215/https://www.theicegarden.com/2020/8/20/21373011/2020-top-25-under-25-cayla-barnes-boston-college-eagles-womens-hockey|url-status=live}}</ref> She was named Best Defender of the tournament in both 2016 and 2017, and served as team captain in 2017.<ref name="usahockey-u18"/><ref name="thw-rolemodel">{{Cite web|last=Oliver|first=Nathaniel|date=2018-05-13|title=USA's Cayla Barnes Is the Consummate Role Model|url=https://thehockeywriters.com/usa-cayla-barnes-role-model/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926190930/https://thehockeywriters.com/usa-cayla-barnes-role-model/|archive-date=September 26, 2020|access-date=2020-12-07|website=The Hockey Writers}}</ref> In 15 total games across the three tournaments, Barnes recorded three goals and nine assists for 12 points.<ref name="thw-rolemodel"/> She also participated in the 2017 U.S. Women's Residency Program.<ref>{{cite web|date=2017-12-15|title=Take Six With USWNT Defender Cayla Barnes|url=http://teamusa.usahockey.com/news_article/show/867112?referrer_id=695820|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171216144114/http://teamusa.usahockey.com/news_article/show/867112?referrer_id=695820|archive-date=December 16, 2017|access-date=2017-12-15|website=USA Hockey}}</ref>
===Senior national team=== thumb|240px|right|alt=Cayla Barnes playing for Team USA, 2017|Barnes playing for Team USA, 2017
====2018 Olympics==== After being called up to the national team in late October 2017, Barnes made her senior debut at the 2018 Winter Olympics at the age of 19, becoming the youngest player on the team.<ref name="usatoday-youngest">{{Cite web|last=Walker|first=Teresa M.|date=2017-12-14|title=Teen Cayla Barnes youngest player on USA hockey team|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/2017/12/14/teen-has-olympic-chance-she-thought-would-be-4-years-away/108593438/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171216025112/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/2017/12/14/teen-has-olympic-chance-she-thought-would-be-4-years-away/108593438/|archive-date=December 16, 2017|access-date=2020-12-07|website=USA Today}}</ref><ref name="thw-rolemodel"/> Prior to making the Olympic roster, she scored two goals and one assist while helping Team USA win the 2017 4 Nations Cup.<ref name="ksl-2017">{{cite web|url=https://www.ksl.com/article/46217329/teen-cayla-barnes-youngest-player-on-usa-hockey-team|title=Teen Cayla Barnes youngest player on USA hockey team|work=KSL.com|date=December 14, 2017|access-date=December 13, 2024}}</ref> Barnes played in all five Olympic games and won a gold medal as part of the team that defeated Canada 3–2 in a shootout in the final.<ref name="usatoday-youngest"/><ref name="bc-profile"/> The victory marked the United States' first Olympic gold medal in women's hockey since 1998.<ref name="thw-rolemodel"/>
====World Championships==== Barnes made her World Championship debut at the 2019 IIHF Women's World Championship in Espoo, Finland, scoring two goals and four assists for six points in seven games.<ref name="bc-profile"/> She tied for third among all defensemen in points and tied for second in plus/minus (+8).<ref name="nhl-ladyducks">{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/ducks/news/former-lady-ducks-barnes-pankowski-win-iihf-womens-world-championship/c-306762660|title=Former Lady Ducks Barnes, Pankowski Win IIHF Women's World Championship|work=NHL.com|publisher=Anaheim Ducks|date=April 15, 2019|access-date=December 13, 2024}}</ref> The United States won gold by defeating Finland 2–1 in a shootout, and Barnes was named to the tournament Media All-Star Team.<ref name="nhl-ladyducks"/>
At the 2021 IIHF Women's World Championship in Calgary, Barnes won a silver medal as the United States fell to Canada 3–2 in overtime in the gold medal game.<ref name="iihf-2021gold">{{cite web|url=https://www.iihf.com/en/events/2021/ww/news/28008/gmg|title=Poulin scores golden goal|publisher=IIHF|date=August 31, 2021|access-date=December 13, 2024}}</ref> Barnes returned to the 2022 IIHF Women's World Championship in Herning, Denmark, where she recorded five points on one goal and four assists as the United States earned another silver medal, losing 2–1 to Canada in the final.<ref name="bc-2022wc">{{cite web|url=https://bceagles.com/news/2022/9/5/womens-hockey-eagles-us-earn-silver-medal-at-iihf-world-championships|title=Eagles, U.S. Earn Silver Medal at IIHF World Championships|publisher=Boston College Athletics|date=September 5, 2022|access-date=December 13, 2024}}</ref>
At the 2023 IIHF Women's World Championship in Brampton, Ontario, Barnes recorded three assists in the semifinal victory over the Czech Republic, including the primary assist on Amanda Kessel's opening power-play goal in the 9–1 win.<ref name="teamusa-2023sf">{{cite web|url=https://teamusa.usahockey.com/news_article/show/1269043|title=Team USA Advances to Sunday's Gold-Medal Game of Women's World Championship|publisher=USA Hockey|date=April 15, 2023|access-date=December 13, 2024}}</ref> In the gold medal game, she scored the insurance empty-net goal with 1:58 remaining in the United States' 6–3 victory over Canada, giving USA Hockey its first World Championship gold medal since 2019.<ref name="osu-2023wc">{{cite web|url=https://ohiostatebuckeyes.com/news/2023/4/17/barnes-bilka-win-gold-at-2023-world-championships|title=Barnes, Bilka Win Gold at 2023 World Championships|publisher=Ohio State Athletics|date=April 17, 2023|access-date=December 13, 2024}}</ref><ref name="teamusa-2023gold">{{cite web|url=https://teamusa.usahockey.com/news_article/show/1269166|title=U.S. Captures Gold Medal at Women's World Championship|publisher=USA Hockey|date=April 17, 2023|access-date=December 13, 2024}}</ref>
Barnes competed at the 2024 IIHF Women's World Championship in Utica, New York, recording two assists through seven games.<ref name="icegarden-2024t25">{{cite web|url=https://www.theicegarden.com/2024-top-25-under-25-cayla-barnes-18-gwyneth-philips-17/|title=2024 Top 25 Under 25: Cayla Barnes (18), Gwyneth Philips (17)|work=The Ice Garden|date=July 16, 2024|access-date=December 13, 2024}}</ref> In the gold medal game, the United States lost to Canada 6–5 in overtime with Canada scoring the golden goal at 5:16 of overtime on a power play.<ref name="iihf-2024gold">{{cite web|url=https://www.iihf.com/en/events/2024/ww/news/59747/canada_wins_gold_in_overtime|title=Canada wins gold in overtime|publisher=IIHF|date=April 14, 2024|access-date=December 13, 2024}}</ref> Barnes and Team USA earned a silver medal.<ref name="icegarden-2024t25"/> At the 2025 IIHF Women's World Championship in České Budějovice, Czech Republic, Barnes won her third World Championship gold medal. The United States defeated Canada 4–3 in overtime in the gold medal game.<ref name="teamusa-2025gold">{{cite web|url=https://teamusa.usahockey.com/news_article/show/1335859|title=2025 Women's Worlds Insider {{!}} Golden!!! U.S. Wins World Championship|publisher=USA Hockey|date=April 20, 2025|access-date=December 13, 2024}}</ref>
====2022 Olympics==== On January 2, 2022, Barnes was named to Team USA's roster for the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.iihf.com/en/events/2022/olympic-w/news/31457/u_s_women_with_13_returnees|title=U.S. women with 13 returnees|date=January 2, 2022|access-date=January 2, 2022|publisher=International Ice Hockey Federation|archive-date=January 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220117044818/https://www.iihf.com/en/events/2022/olympic-w/news/31457/u_s_women_with_13_returnees|url-status=live}}</ref> In the semifinal victory over Finland, Barnes scored a goal and added an assist as the United States won 4–1.<ref name="cbs-2022">{{cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/olympics/news/2022-winter-olympics-team-usa-medal-count-full-results-highlights-from-beijing-games/live/|title=2022 Winter Olympics: Team USA medal count, full results, highlights from Beijing Games|work=CBS Sports|date=February 19, 2022|access-date=December 13, 2024}}</ref> Barnes finished the tournament with two goals and four assists for six points in seven games, earning a silver medal after the United States lost to Canada in the gold medal game.<ref name="bc-profile"/><ref name="teamusa-profile"/>
====2026 Olympics==== Barnes was named to the U.S. roster for the 2025 Rivalry Series against Canada in October 2025.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://teamusa.usahockey.com/news_article/show/1348076 |title=USA Hockey Announces Rivalry Series Roster |publisher=USA Hockey |date=October 20, 2025 |access-date=December 16, 2025}}</ref> She was part of a Seattle Torrent contingent that included teammates Hilary Knight, Alex Carpenter, Hannah Bilka, and Anna Wilgren on the U.S. roster.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://thehockeynews.com/womens/pwhl/torrent-players-shine-through-final-two-games-of-rivalry-series-as-practice-continues-in-seattle |title=Torrent Players Shine Through Final Two Games Of Rivalry Series As Practice Continues in Seattle |work=The Hockey News |date=December 14, 2025 |access-date=December 16, 2025}}</ref> The United States swept all four games of the series, outscoring Canada 24–7 overall, marking the first sweep in Rivalry Series history.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/rivalry-series-us-canada-9.7015164 |title=U.S. downs Canada 4-1 to sweep women's hockey Rivalry Series |work=CBC Sports |date=December 14, 2025 |access-date=December 16, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/picking-usas-olympic-roster-following-183202022.html |title=Picking USA's Olympic Roster Following The Rivalry Series |publisher=Yahoo Sports |date=December 15, 2025 |access-date=December 16, 2025}}</ref>
On January 2, 2026, she was named to team USA's roster for the 2026 Winter Olympics.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/olympics/story/_/id/47481825/us-women-hockey-roster-reworked-knight-set-5th-games |title=U.S. women's hockey roster reworked; Knight set for 5th Games |website=ESPN.com |date=January 2, 2026 |access-date=January 2, 2026}}</ref>
== Personal life == Barnes earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication and Management in Leadership from Boston College and pursued a Master's degree in Sports Management at Ohio State University.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.linkedin.com/in/cayla-barnes-5a6b58258/|title=Cayla Barnes LinkedIn Profile|publisher=LinkedIn|access-date=December 13, 2024}}</ref> Her hobbies include roller hockey, soccer, lacrosse, reading, and painting.<ref name="teamusa-profile"/><ref name="icegarden-quarantine">{{cite web|url=https://www.theicegarden.com/2020/9/2/21397541/socially-distant-diaries-cayla-barnes-boston-college-womens-hockey|title=Socially Distant Diaries: Cayla Barnes|work=The Ice Garden|date=September 2, 2020|access-date=December 13, 2024}}</ref> According to her USA Hockey profile, Barnes models her play after Scott Niedermayer, and her favorite postgame meal is pasta, chicken and green beans.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cayla Barnes |url=https://teamusa.usahockey.com/202324rivalryseriesroster-caylabarnes |access-date=2026-02-15 |website=teamusa.usahockey.com}}</ref>
Barnes is represented by Creative Artists Agency (CAA).
== Career statistics == === Regular season and playoffs === {| border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center; width:60em" |- bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! colspan="3" bgcolor="#ffffff" | ! rowspan="100" bgcolor="#ffffff" | ! colspan="5" | Regular season ! rowspan="100" bgcolor="#ffffff" | ! colspan="5" | Playoffs |- bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! Season ! Team !! League !! GP !! G !! A !! Pts !! PIM !! GP !! G !! A !! Pts !! PIM |- | 2017–18 | Boston College | HE | 5 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 4 | — || — || — || — || — |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2018–19 | Boston College | HE | 36 || 4 || 19 || 23 || 44 | — || — || — || — || — |- | 2019–20 | Boston College | HE | 35 || 6 || 17 || 23 || 40 | — || — || — || — || — |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2020–21 | Boston College | HE | 19 || 4 || 6 || 10 || 14 | — || — || — || — || — |- | 2022–23 | Boston College | HE | 36 || 6 || 13 || 19 || 34 | — || — || — || — || — |- bgcolor="f0f0f0" | 2023–24 | Ohio State University | WCHA | 39 || 11 || 25 || 36 || 28 | — || — || — || — || — |- |2024–25 |Montreal Victoire |PWHL |30 |2 |11 |13 |12 |4 |0 |0 |0 |0 |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2025–26 | Seattle Torrent | PWHL | 30 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 20 | — | — | — | — | — |- bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! colspan="3" | PWHL totals ! 60 !! 5 !! 16 !! 21 !! 32 ! 4 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 |}
=== International === {| border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" ID="Table3" style="text-align:center; width:40em" |- ALIGN="center" bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! Year ! Team ! Event ! Result ! rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff" | ! GP ! G ! A ! Pts ! PIM |- | 2015 | United States | U18 | {{gold1}} | 5 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 |- bgcolor="f0f0f0" | 2016 | United States | U18 | {{gold1}} | 5 || 0 || 6 || 6 || 2 |- | 2017 | United States | U18 | {{gold1}} | 5 || 3 || 3 || 6 || 5 |- bgcolor="f0f0f0" | 2018 | United States | OG | {{gold1}} | 5 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 |- | 2019 | United States | WC | {{gold1}} | 7 || 2 || 4 || 6 || 4 |- bgcolor="f0f0f0" | 2021 | United States | WC | {{silver2}} | 7 || 0 || 3 || 3 || 0 |- | 2022 | United States | OG | {{silver2}} | 7 || 1 || 5 || 6 || 0 |- bgcolor="f0f0f0" | 2022 | United States | WC | {{silver2}} | 7 || 1 || 4 || 5 || 0 |- | 2023 | United States | WC | {{gold1}} | 7 || 2 || 6 || 8 || 8 |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2024 | United States | WC | {{silver2}} | 7 || 0 || 2 || 2 || 0 |- | 2025 | United States | WC | {{gold1}} | 7 || 0 || 1 || 1 || 0 |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2026 | United States | OG | {{gold1}} | 7 || 1 || 0 || 1 || 2 |- bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! colspan="4" |Junior totals ! 15 !! 3 !! 9 !! 12 !! 6 |- bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! colspan="4" |Senior totals ! 61 !! 7 !! 25 !! 32 !! 14 |}
== Awards and honors == {| class="wikitable" ! Honors ! Year ! Ref |- ! colspan="3"|College |- | Hockey East Third Team All-Star | 2019 |rowspan="4"| <ref name="bc-profile"/> |- | Hockey East All-Rookie Team | 2019 |- | Hockey East Second Team All-Star | 2020 |- | Hockey East First Team All-Star | 2021 |- | AHCA Second Team All-American | 2021 |<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hockeyeastonline.com/women/articles/2021/03/five-hockey-east-players-named-ccm-ahca-womens-all-americans.php|title=Five Hockey East Players Players Named CCM/AHCA Women's All-Americans|publisher=Hockey East|date=March 19, 2021|access-date=December 13, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210319151115/http://hockeyeastonline.com/women/articles/2021/03/five-hockey-east-players-named-ccm-ahca-womens-all-americans.php|archive-date=March 19, 2021}}</ref> |- | USCHO.com Second Team All-Star | 2021 | <ref>{{Cite news|url= https://www.uscho.com/2021/04/02/womens-division-i-college-hockey-2020-2021-all-uscho-teams/|title= Women's Division I College Hockey: 2020-2021 All-USCHO Teams|website= uscho.com|date= 2021-04-02|access-date= 2021-03-29|archive-date= April 16, 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210416064329/https://www.uscho.com/2021/04/02/womens-division-i-college-hockey-2020-2021-all-uscho-teams/|url-status= live}}</ref> |- | Hockey East Second Team All-Star | 2023 | <ref name="bc-profile"/> |- | AHCA Second Team All-American | 2024 |rowspan="4"|<ref name="osu-profile"/> |- | Frozen Four All-Tournament Team | 2024 |- | First Team All-WCHA | 2024 |- | WCHA Scholar-Athlete | 2024 |- ! colspan="3"|PWHL |- | All-Rookie Team | 2025 | <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thepwhl.com/en/news/2025/june/25/pwhl-announces-2025-award-winners |title=PWHL Announces 2025 Award Winners |website=thepwhl.com |date=June 25, 2025 |access-date=June 25, 2025}}</ref> |- ! colspan="3"|International |- | World U18 Championship – Best Defender | 2016, 2017 | rowspan="3"|<ref>{{cite web |title=Cayla Barnes |url=https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/201444/cayla-barnes |website=eliteprospects.com |publisher=Elite Prospects |access-date=May 10, 2024}}</ref> |- | World U18 Championship – Media All-Star Team | 2016 |- | World Championship – Media All-Star Team | 2019 |}
==References== {{Reflist|30em}}
==External links== {{commons category}} * {{Ice hockey stats}} * [https://ohiostatebuckeyes.com/sports/womens-ice-hockey/roster/cayla-barnes/9717 Cayla Barnes] at Ohio State Buckeyes * {{Team USA|new_id=cayla-barnes-823261|old_id=BA/Cayla-Barnes|archive=20220711225452}} * [https://www.olympics.com/en/milano-cortina-2026/results/athlete-details/25106 Cayla Barnes] at Milano Cortina 2026 * {{Olympedia}} * {{InterSportStats}} * {{Instagram}}<!-- per WP:ELMINOFFICIAL, choose one official website only -->
{{DEFAULTSORT:Barnes, Cayla}} Category:1999 births Category:Living people Category:American women's ice hockey defensemen Category:People from Eastvale, California Category:Boston College Eagles women's ice hockey players Category:Ice hockey players from California Category:Ice hockey players at the 2018 Winter Olympics Category:Ice hockey players at the 2022 Winter Olympics Category:Ice hockey players at the 2026 Winter Olympics Category:Medalists at the 2018 Winter Olympics Category:Medalists at the 2022 Winter Olympics Category:Medalists at the 2026 Winter Olympics Category:Olympic gold medalists for the United States in ice hockey Category:Olympic silver medalists for the United States in ice hockey Category:21st-century American sportswomen Category:LGBTQ ice hockey players Category:American expatriate ice hockey players in Canada Category:Sportspeople from Eastvale, California Category:Sportspeople from Riverside County, California Category:Seattle Torrent players Category:LGBTQ people from California Category:Ohio State Buckeyes women's ice hockey players