A Milestone in Richmond
Sara Swiderski, a 2026 Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) first‑round draft pick, stepped onto the ice at the Richmond Olympic Oval for her inaugural Hockey Canada Development Camp, a milestone that marks the culmination of a journey that began at the RINK Hockey Academy Kelowna and spanned four NCAA seasons at Clarkson and Ohio State.
Training with the Best
Held in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia, the camp gathered the nation’s top emerging talent, offering Swiderski a chance to train alongside elite players still enrolled in university programs. The event, hosted in a facility that served as a venue for the 2010 Winter Olympics, underscored the historic significance of the location while providing a competitive environment that Swiderski described as “elite.”
Teammates and the Summer Series
During the camp, Swiderski attended both the Canada Development Team Selection Camp and the U‑18 Selection Camp, before participating in a three‑game Summer Series against Team USA. Although she was ineligible to play in the series due to her recent graduation from Ohio State University, she praised the experience of watching her teammates — Jocelyn Amos, Jordan Baxter and Maxime Cimoroni — compete at a high level.
Home‑Field Advantage
The series also featured Brooke Disher, another British Columbia‑based PWHL draftee who, like Swiderski, could not take part in the games. Swiderski highlighted the convenience of staying close to home, noting that reduced travel fatigue allowed friends and family to attend and support her, a factor that added emotional weight to the camp’s already personal significance.
Looking Toward Minnesota
Beyond the camp, Swiderski used the opportunity to visit Minnesota’s facilities, familiarizing herself with the training environment that awaits her as she vies for a roster spot with the Minnesota Frost. She plans to compete for a place on the team, with the ultimate goal of wearing the Maple Leaf in front of the people who have cheered her throughout her career.