Sydney Sawyer, who grew up in Rama First Nation, is one step closer to representing Canada at the U18 hockey championships in Finland this winter.
Sawyer says hockey has been her daily focus since she was three years old.
"My dad always put me in a lot of camps and skating programs," she said. "We always had the rink in the backyard and would be outside shooting in the driveway."
Sawyer, 17, says hockey runs in her blood. Her father, her three brothers and her grandfather were all skilled players.
Sawyer, a defenceman who has always played at the highest level possible, will play Division I at Colgate University in Hamilton, N.Y., next year.
"I love competing and playing in big games," she said. "I've made a lot of friends and met so many new people."
Sawyer, a Clarington Central Secondary School student in Bowmanville, says representing her country on the international stage has always been her dream.
"I went to the camp last year as one of the younger players," she said. "I always dreamed of making it, but it didn't work out."
Sawyer, who plays with the Etobicoke Junior Dolphins, says being cut from the team was "devastating," but she kept a positive outlook.
"I knew it gave me a whole year to get better," she said. "It gave me the opportunity to work on things and to develop as a player."
Sawyer spent the year playing with Team Ontario, where she got stronger and improved her defensive game.
When she returned to the U18 Team Canada Camp in August, she was noticeably better, and the coaches couldn't deny her a roster spot.
"It was a surreal feeling to make the team," she said. "It's a dream come true."
Already, Sawyer has played in three exhibition games with Canada against Team USA. She says wearing the maple leaf on her chest is a "big honour."
"It's a great opportunity," she said. "Especially since there are so many girls playing hockey now."
While Sawyer has made the initial roster, Team Canada has yet to finalize its roster for the U18 hockey championships that will be played in Finland in January.
"It would be pretty exciting to play in that," she said.
Sawyer, who models her game after Cale Makar, Quinn Hughes and Renata Fast, says she will need to keep training and remain focused if she wants to one day make the Professional Women's Hockey League.
"It's obviously very competitive," she said. "I need to keep working on areas of my game and keep developing as a player."
Sawyer is in the gym three times a week and is on the ice six to seven days a week. She credits her friends and teachers for helping her keep on track with her education while balancing her hockey career.
"When there's exams it gets a bit harder," she said. "I have a bunch of extra help, which is good."
Sawyer thanks her parents for being her biggest support system through her journey so far.
"They pay for all my skills, extra sessions with coaches, and the gym I go to," she said. "I couldn't do this without them."
