Long before she was inspiring the next generation of female hockey players more broadly, and East Coast girls more specifically, Sara Stewart was just a young girl who looked forward to getting home after school because it meant being able to go outside and play street hockey with her brothers and neighbours. And snow days, where school would be cancelled? Those were the best days.
Our full conversation is also available on YouTube here.
“The local rink was a five-minute walk from my house, and it would stay open,” Stewart said. “So we’d make the trek down and just play hockey all day on the ice. Whoever could make it there was welcome to do so. I feel like those little experiences drew me into the sport.” That’s exactly what made the sport so much fun for Stewart: it was about connecting with her community and sharing in those very experiences, no matter how big or how small they may have been.
Community is a through line that comes up often in Stewart’s story because, you see, hockey is something that’s embedded in the Antigonish community. They stand behind you, support and encourage you, and are always looking out for what’s best for you. That makes for an incredibly powerful motivator and serves as a fountain of inspiration and pride for Stewart. “I feel like there’s so many talented players that just took a while for people to get their looks on the East Coast,” she said. “Being a part of that group of hardworking players is something to be super proud of.”
Stewart played her early hockey career alongside boys in the Nova Scotia U15 Major Hockey League before switching to join the Northern Selects, where she finally had the chance to play with girls. “It was my first time entering playing female hockey,” she said. “I felt a sense of community and found a new home. I feel like it made me gain a ton of confidence being so close with those around me.” In her final junior season with the Selects, Stewart would see her point total more than double to 26 goals and 44 points, showcasing the offensive abilities that lay right below the surface of an otherwise very strong defensive-minded forward. That time with the Selects stands out on Stewart’s resume not only because of an impressive stat line, but also as an opportunity to grow into the leader that she is today.
“I feel like being in the leadership group with the (Northern) Selects definitely prepped me for jumping into the leadership role at the next level,” Stewart said. “I’m someone who always tries to lead by example, and being put into that leadership role forced me into a position to find my voice in the locker room.” That growth and development helped her navigate the balancing act of being best friends with her teammates while also looking out for the team's best interests. Valuable lessons as she would take on a leadership role with Colgate University.
During her four-year collegiate career with Colgate, a place she described as a “second home where people cared about me as a player but also as a person,” Stewart remained impactful offensively, putting up 75 points in 155 games, while also pursuing a Biology degree and receiving ECAC Hockey All-Academic Team honours in both 2022-23 and 2023-24. And over those four years, which all too often feel like they flew by, I remained certain of one thing in particular: “My career here at Colgate has been everything that I could have asked for and more than I could have asked for.”
Community comes up again when she reflects on her time with the program, whether it’s with the Rising Raiders program, where she’s able to connect with young girls and serve as a role model, or her Learn to Skate sessions with neurodiverse individuals. “I think Colgate really gives you that ability to open your eyes and connect with so many people around you.”
Since our conversation prior to the 2026 PWHL Draft, Stewart signed her first professional contract, a one-year deal with MoDo Hockey in the SDHL. “Following the draft, I was looking for somewhere that would help me to develop the most in my hockey journey,” Sara told me. “MoDo ended up being the perfect fit. I know it’ll help my development to play in a professional league which is physical and fast.”
From growing up on the East Coast of Canada to the experiences at Colgate University, which will last a lifetime, Sara Stewart never lost sight of her roots, the importance of community, and always striving to leave the sport better than she found it. She now embarks on an exciting next chapter, one which will undoubtedly leave young girls back home inspired and driven more than ever.
Our full conversation is also available on YouTube here.
