This one is for the people of New Brunswick.<\/p>\n
On Thursday, Moncton-raised Courtney Sarault captured a bronze medal<\/a> for Canada in the women\u2019s short-track 500-metre speed skating finals.<\/p>\n Not only that, but it was her first Olympic medal in an individual event.<\/p>\n By winning the medal, she made Canadian history. Something that even she was surprised to learn.<\/p>\n After winning bronze for her country, CBC\u2019s Devin Heroux let her know that she became the first Canadian ever outside of Quebec to win a medal in short-track speed skating.<\/p>\n “LET’S GO NEW BRUNSWICK!” <\/p>\n Love the reaction from Courtney Sarault after learning she just made Canadian speed skating history at the Olympics \ud83d\udd25\ud83c\udf41 pic.twitter.com\/fpKuwi6HBe<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Trevor Beggs (@TrevBeggs) February 12, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n The news from Heroux left her stunned.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, wow,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Then, she gave a shoutout to her hometown province.<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s go, New Brunswick, woo!\u201d<\/p>\n The broadcast panned to a hometown crowd cheering her on in Frederiction, New Brunswick, at the Willie O\u2019Ree Place.<\/p>\n Sarault also acknowledged why Quebec has been such a factory for speed skaters in this country.<\/p>\n \u201cQuebec has such a good program for skating, and I hope that this inspires people that maybe are from smaller towns that they can also dream big, and you\u2019re not limited to your smaller town.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf you want something, you can work for it,\u201d she said. \u201cAnything is possible.\u201d<\/p>\n Sarault was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan. That was likely because her father, former NHLer Yves Sarault, was playing in the IHL with the Grand Rapids Griffins at the time.<\/p>\n He did earn a recall to the Ottawa Senators that season, playing his last game for them less than three weeks before his daughter was born.<\/p>\n Sarault previously credited her hockey upbringing for helping her avoid a crash in the team relay earlier in these Olympic Games<\/a>.<\/p>\n Between her silver medal in the team relay, along with her bronze medal victory on Thursday, it\u2019s been a fantastic showing for the New Brunswick native.<\/p>\n \u201cI hope this inspires some New Brunswickers, or anyone watching from a smaller province.\u201d<\/p>\n Sarault may have other opportunities to add to her medal count. Canada\u2019s women\u2019s short-track speed skating team will compete in events on Feb. 16, Feb. 18, and Feb. 20.<\/p>\n