Hockey (W) 11/12/2021 9:30:00 AM Joe Mastromatteo

A Rams dream come true: Saije Catcheway

When Saije Catcheway finished high school, her transition to post-secondary was a bit more unique than the average student. Catcheway had been in the same Winnipeg private school since kindergarten - Balmoral Hall.

"I had a really cool high school experience," said Catcheway over Zoom from her downtown Toronto residence. "I was at a private school on a scholarship. Private, all girls, uniforms, the whole deal," she added.

With Grade 12 finished, Catcheway received another scholarship to attend and play hockey at Adrian College in Michigan. However, COVID-19 disrupted Catcheway's program on and off the ice.

"So I came back home to Winnipeg. From there, I was super confused."

She thought about working for a year while she even questioned the future of her hockey career. She's always considered herself "late to the game," since she learned to skate when she was nine.

"I started playing hockey when I was 10. I started playing with the boys. I was playing boys hockey for a number of years until I was about 14 or so."

Catcheway credits her parents, who both have athletic backgrounds, for supporting her throughout her academic and sporting career.

"They'll drive me anywhere, they'll do it all just so that I can do the sport that I love and pursue the education I want to do. So I definitely owe it to them. (My dad) took me out to the outdoor rink for hours on end. My feet would be icicles by the end of the day."

Catcheway had all this and more to ponder when she returned to Winnipeg from Michigan. Yet she recalled from her high school advisors that Ryerson was a top choice for her. She even went so far as to call it her "dream" school, and decided to send in an application.

"I ended up getting in and I was like: Oh my gosh, this has got to be for a reason."

So as she made her way to Toronto, she decided to pack her hockey gear just in case. When she had the chance to skate with the team and meet coach Lisa Haley, she made the most of her first impression.

"Lisa was like: I really like your character and what you bring to the team. We would love to have you (be a) part of the Rams."

Catcheway tried not to sound like a broken record when discussing her reaction.

"It was surreal. I didn't think it was going to be real. I was like: Oh my gosh, that's a dream. I'm saying it 10 times because I want you to hear it 10 times - it was a dream."

Aside from her excitement, Catcheway had some worries about coming to Toronto.

"I didn't think I was going to fit in coming from small-town Winnipeg to this huge city. I knew it was going to be a culture shock."

Though she immediately spoke about the character of her Rams peers and settling into the bustling city.

"It exceeded any of my expectations. All of my worries have gone away because nothing but good has come from here. There's real people here with real hearts and the amount of support that Ryerson gives and the amount of outlets that they have is so incredible."

When thinking about her support system, Catcheway also made sure to mention her community.

"I'm Indigenous from my dad's side and so my band has been a huge support (with) the financial needs that I have and the support to make sure I (stay) in the programs that I make. Because hockey is definitely not a cheap sport."

Catcheway said that her coaches complete the "triangle" that keeps her together.

"Huge shout out to my coach at Balmoral Hall, Sarah Zacharias. She's really been changing the game for women's hockey. She just loves to build the confidence of athletes, especially female athletes, and change the game."

In the holidays and over the summer, Catcheway hopes to return the favour by helping a local hockey camp. She also said that she tries to visit her treaty community as much as possible to speak to their youth.

Meanwhile, the first-year Ram has a big academic decision coming up. Though she was admitted to study Business, her major is currently undeclared. Next semester, she needs to make her declaration, and is deciding between Business or RTA Media.

"I love video production, film production, and media management's really what I'm passionate about. But I'm also really leaning towards going into business law or business media management."

Catcheway mentioned documentary filmmaking, such as working on a traveling sports documentary, as a potential dream job.

As she makes her decision, she knows she can rely on her supporters, none larger than her Rams coaches and teammates as their new season gets underway. Catcheway even revealed that coach Haley called her the team's "missing puzzle piece." Meanwhile, she's happy to have found such a caring home away from home.

"It feels like I actually belong somewhere and made it into a spot that's my own."

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Players Mentioned

#20 Saije Catcheway: D; 5' 3"; 1

Players Mentioned

#20 Saije Catcheway
: 5' 3"; 1
: D

Players Mentioned

#20 Saije Catcheway

Players Mentioned

#20 Saije Catcheway