Lindsey Donovan signs first pro contract with AIK of Swedish Women's Hockey League  

By Corey LeBlanc

The next stop on the hockey journey for Lindsey Donovan – one that started skating on a pond with her father (Mike) and brother (Ryan) as a five-year-old – will be Stockholm.

The All-Canadian defensive stalwart and Atlantic University Sport (AUS) champion with the StFX X-Women recently signed a one-year deal to play with AIK of the Swedish Women's Hockey League (SDHL).

"I am pretty excited," Donovan says of inking her first professional contract, while describing the opportunity to start the "next chapter" of her hockey career.

The native of Miramichi, New Brunswick admits she also has a "little bit of nerves," considering the "big move" she will be making to the Swedish capital city at the beginning of August.

"I am going to focus on using that to my advantage," Donovan says of channeling those feelings on the ice.

She adds she is looking forward to having a "tremendous learning experience" – both on and off the ice.

"I am going to be out of my comfort zone," Donovan offers, noting that "we [all] need that" at some point in our lives.

In a club press release, she says her goal is to "enjoy the adventure as much as possible."

"It's my first year and it's very new, so I hope I can learn from those around me. Hopefully, I can also share my knowledge with the others, just as they can help me," Donovan adds.

In that same announcement, her new head coach – fellow Canadian Jared Cipparone – describes her as a "good two-way defender, who is strong both defensively and offensively and can play in all different situations."

"She has a good first pass to start the game and follows up on the attacks really well. Lindsey's style of play and personality will fit very well into what we have in mind for next season. She has had a great university career in Canada and we look forward to working her in AIK Hockey and SDHL," he adds.

When it comes to playing pro hockey, Donovan says it has been on her radar for quite some time, a subject of conversation with family, friends and roommates, along with – of course – teammates and coaches at X. Her agent Chris Sacco played a key role in connecting her with the Swedish squad.

"I have always thought about it, but it is something that I have gotten interested in – more and more – over the past year or so," she adds.

Donovan notes she has received unending support in making her decision.

"They have really helped me as I have gone down this [professional] path," she says.

Donovan admits she doesn't know much about the SDHL, other than word from players that she knows from that circuit, who let her know it is "faster paced," compared to the AUS.

"It is a lot of fun," she says, when it comes to the common theme of her discussions with players from the Swedish pro league about their experiences.

Donovan adds she wants to enjoy every aspect of the opportunity, while improving her game and contributing to her new team as much as possible.

"I am looking forward to it," she says.

As for what she will be doing in the coming weeks to prepare for her first pro experience, Donovan notes she has been "focused on training" since last summer. With the past AUS season wiped out by the COVID-19 global pandemic – one that would have been her fifth campaign in White and Blue – she notes, without games, she and her teammates took advantage of having a lot of time to work on their respective games.

"I have been able to get into a really good routine," Donovan says, noting – along with time on the ice – there have been few missed days in the gym, where she has steadily improved her strength and conditioning.

She adds she has received boundless "encouragement and support" from her X-Women coaches and teammates; not to mention Josh Crouse – the StFX Athletics' head strength and conditioning coach.

"Everyone has been such a big help," Donovan says.

She agrees that has been the case since she arrived at X for her freshman campaign, one where she garnered an AUS all-rookie team nod.

"There are so many great memories," Donovan adds of the connections she made with X-Women teammates and coaches – and the moments they shared – each season.

Nevertheless, she admits it would be hard to top the X-Women's conference championship victory in 2020 over the rival Saint Mary's Huskies.

"There is no feeling like it," Donovan offers, noting the team had come "so close" to capture an AUS crown in her previous seasons with the program.

After sweeping the Huskies in that best-of-three final on home ice, the X-Women rode a 16-game winning streak into the U Sports' national championship tournament in Charlottetown.

"We were on such a high," Donovan remembers of the team after opening nationals with a thrilling 2-1 overtime victory over the Montréal Carabins that extended that sensational run.

That mood became bittersweet mere moments after the win, when the X-Women were informed the tournament was cancelled, with the White and Blue two victories away from capturing the program's first U Sports' gold medal.

"It was an amazing season," Donovan says, while agreeing the abrupt ending was a gut-wrenching and bittersweet one.

She adds there are countless moments of her X-Women career that she will "cherish forever."

"It has been a great experience – I have learned so much," she says, adding there are "no regrets," when it comes to choosing StFX.

On the ice – and in the locker room – Donovan says her X-Women coaches and teammates always provided motivation to "get better," an important skill and mindset that she wants to bring to her experience in Sweden.

"I was constantly growing and learning," she adds of her time with the women's hockey program.

Donovan notes she also learned a great deal about leadership – "how to handle the little things and react" – which has paid dividends, both on and off the ice.

She adds those teachings were cemented and enhanced by her participation in the StFX Athletics Leadership Academy.

"It has been such a huge help," Donovan notes.

After she hangs up her blades – at least professionally, the Bachelor of Arts graduate – who majored in psychology and sociology – plans to put her education and sport experience to good use.

"I want to work in the mental side of sport, especially hockey," Donovan says.

Although she says there are resources available as athletes get older, she suggests there is a gap that needs to be filled for younger players.

"There are things that I wish I would have learned about – and I want to give them that opportunity," she adds.

As for what's next after finishing her deal with AIK, Donovan says she will "see what happens."

-30-