Rhyah Stewart (born November 23, 2006) is a Canadian ice hockey goaltender for the West Kent Steamers of the Maritime Junior Hockey League (MHL). She is committed to play women's college ice hockey at the University of Wisconsin beginning in the 2025–26 season.
| Rhyah Stewart | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Born |
November 23, 2006 Antigonish, Nova Scotia, Canada | ||
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (175 cm) | ||
| Weight | 125[1] lb (57 kg; 8 st 13 lb) | ||
| Position | Goaltender | ||
| Catches | Left | ||
| MHL team | West Kent Steamers | ||
Playing career
editIn the 2022–23 season, Stewart became the first woman to play for the Cape Breton West Islanders at the boys' under-18 'AAA' level. In 21 games, she recorded a save percentage of .899, the eighth best in the league, facing more shots and making more saves than any other goalie. Her performance earned her an invitation to the preseason camp of the Cape Breton Eagles of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL, then the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League).[2]
While in training camp with Cape Breton, Stewart appeared in a preseason game, playing half the game and stopping all 24 shots she faced in a 5–3 loss to the Moncton Wildcats.[3] Although other women have played in the QMJHL, Stewart was the first from the Maritimes and the first for the Eagles.[4][5] Returning to the Islanders for the 2023–24 season, Stewart recorded a .913 save percentage in 18 games, earning second team all-star honours before improving to a .930 in 10 playoff games.[6]
Entering the 2024–25 season, Stewart again attended Eagles training camp and again appeared in a preseason game. While at camp, she signed with the West Kent Steamers of the Maritime Junior Hockey League (MHL). Upon her debut for the Steamer, she became the second known female MHL player after goaltender Lisa Herritt in 1995–96.[7][8] In her first MHL start on September 22, 2024, Stewart recorded a 39-save shutout in a 3–0 victory over the Grand Falls Rapids.[9][10]
Stewart is committed to play women's college ice hockey for the University of Wisconsin beginning in the 2025–26 season.[6]
International play
edit| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
| Women's ice hockey | ||
Representing  Canada
| ||
| World U18 Championships | ||
 |
2024 Switzerland | |
Representing Canada at the 2024 World U18 Championship, Stewart recorded a .950 save percentage and 0.67 goals against average, winning all three games she played.[6] In a quarterfinal win against Switzerland, she recorded a three-save shutout.[11] Although she was not in goal for Canada's semifinal upset loss to the Czech Republic, Stewart returned for the bronze medal match, where she backstopped an 8–1 victory over Finland to claim third place.[12]
Career statistics
edit| Year | Team | Event | Result | GP | W | L | T | MIN | GA | SO | GAA | SV% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Canada | U18 | 
|
3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 180 | 2 | 1 | 0.67 | .950 | |
| Junior totals | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 180 | 2 | 1 | 0.67 | .950 | ||||
References
edit- ^ "Rhyah Stewart". West Kent Steamers. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
- ^ Kennedy, Ian (June 21, 2023). "Wisconsin Commit Rhyah Stewart Earns QMJHL Invite". The Hockey News. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
- ^ Kennedy, Ian (August 25, 2023). "Rhyah Stewart Earns First Star In QMJHL Preseason Game". The Hockey News. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
- ^ McKenna, Kathleen (August 23, 2023). "Antigonish teen is first female player to attend training camp for Cape Breton Eagles". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
- ^ Bailey, Mitchell (August 25, 2023). "N.S. goaltender to make hockey history when she suits up for Cape Breton Eagles". Global News. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
- ^ a b c Kennedy, Ian (September 10, 2024). "Rhyah Stewart Set To Become First Woman To Play Junior A Hockey In Maritime League". The Hockey News. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
- ^ Palmeter, Paul (September 10, 2024). "Antigonish teen to become one of first females to play in junior A hockey league". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
- ^ "Rhyah Stewart to become the 2nd female to play in the MHL". Maritime Junior Hockey League. September 12, 2024. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
- ^ Kennedy, Ian (September 26, 2024). "Stewart Earns Shutout In Her First Junior A Start". The Hockey News. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
- ^ Vohra, Ameeta (October 3, 2024). "Stewart continues to smash barriers". International Ice Hockey Federation. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
- ^ "Canada to face Czechs in semifinals at women's U18 worlds after crushing Switzerland". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. January 11, 2024. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
- ^ Aykyroyd, Lucas (January 14, 2024). "Canada thrashes Finns for bronze". International Ice Hockey Federation. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
External links
edit- Biographical information and career statistics from Eliteprospects.com