A Nova Scotia teenager is the first female player from the Maritimes to make it to training camp in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.
Rhyah Stewart of Antigonish, N.S., is only 16 years and also a goaltender who recently represented Nova Scotia in hockey at the Canada Games.
She played last season with the Cape Breton West Islanders of the Nova Scotia U18 Major Hockey League. She will be the first woman ever to try out for the Cape Breton Eagles although there have been female players on Quebec teams. "This is a tremendous experience for her in the development of her game and in her career," said Joe Murphy, head scout of the Eagles.
Stewart hit the ice for training camp for the first time Wednesday morning. After goalie training, she joined the team for on ice drills. "Some of the players here, some of the young prospects, they know her, they play against her and they certainly respect her abilities," said Murphy.