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Team Canada Olympian visits Westmount Gardens residents
Residents meet hockey star Ella Shelton and pose with her Olympic medals during Easter visit
4/24/2026
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Deron Hamel
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In February, Westmount Gardens residents gathered around the TV to cheer on Canada's women's hockey team at the Winter Olympics. Two months later, one of Team Canada's players was in their living room.
On Easter Sunday, Ella Shelton stopped by the London, Ont., long-term care community and spent 90 minutes meeting with residents, their families and staff members. She even brought the silver medal she received at Milano Cortina 2026 as well as the gold medal she won at the 2022 Winter Games in Beijing.
The residents had many questions for Ella, who shared that she's hoping to play in the 2030 Winter Olympics, which will be held in the French Alps.
Ella, who plays defence for the Toronto Sceptres of the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL), is originally from Ingersoll, about 30 kilometres east of London, and was in the area visiting family for Easter.
“It was so nice for her to take the time to be with us on such a special day,” says Adnan Resh, the life enrichment manager at Westmount Gardens, who organized the visit. “It just so happened that she was visiting family in Ingersoll for supper, so she took the extra drive to be with us.”
A major highlight of the visit came when the Olympian invited residents to pose for photos with her while wearing her gold and silver medals.
“Ella did a number of photos with residents, staff and family members,” Adnan says. “One of the family members even FaceTimed another family member who couldn't be in attendance. It was her birthday, her name was also Ella, and she was a big fan of Ella's. Ella was so genuine to the family member on the phone – it was so sweet to see.”
And, of course, many residents, family members and staff wanted an autograph from Ella, who happily obliged, Adnan says.
“One of the residents even had a Toronto Sceptres hat and had Ella sign that for her,” he says. “There was a jersey, photographs of her, flags, and one of the staff members even had Ella sign their phone case, while another had Ella sign their name badge.”
Adnan says Ella discussed with residents how she got into hockey, her days in the Olympics, the Team Canada-Team USA rivalry and her family. He says he asked Ella a question as well -- he wanted to know what her go-to meal was after a big win, she said, “a nice juicy burger.”
Adnan says Ella took her time with residents and made sure to answer all their questions. Given that it was Easter and she had dinner plans with her family, Adnan says he asked Ella at one point if she needed to leave soon, and her response was “no, I'm having fun.”
“Ella's approach and interaction with the residents was the sweetest thing I have ever seen,” Adnan says. “She was so amazing; she had a soft approach, and was so, so friendly and full of joy. You can tell she's a people person and loves interacting and sharing her story with others.”
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