First Nations hockey player transferring to Ohio State University

By Sam Laskaris

HAMILTON, N.Y. – Sydney Sawyer will still continue to further her academic and hockey careers in the United States during the next school year.

But for Sawyer, a member of Chippewas of Rama First Nation, that will not be at New York’s Colgate University, where she spent her freshman year, because Sawyer, who is 19, is transferring to Ohio State University, where she will play for the powerhouse women’s Buckeyes team.

Sawyer, who plays defence, explained why she opted to transfer to another university after one year at Colgate, located in the New York town of Hamilton.

“It was mostly because I didn’t love this school,” she said. “It’s a pretty small school.”

Colgate has just over 3,000 enrolled students. Ohio State has about 10 times that number of students.

“By the end of the hockey year, I just thought, I don’t think I can live here for four years,” Sawyer added of Colgate.

Sawyer included her name in the NCAA transfer portal in March. Once she was in the portal, coaches from other programs were allowed to contact her.

Sawyer said she received inquiries from 10-15 teams, but she opted to commit to Ohio State.

“They are a great hockey program,” she said. “And also, their academics are pretty good. So, that was another reason.”

Plus, the Buckeyes have had plenty of successes in recent years, winning NCAA titles in 2022 and ’24.

Sawyer was enrolled in various introductory university courses this year. And she has yet to declare her major. Thus, she’s uncertain whether courses she completed at Colgate this year will be transferable towards her eventual major at Ohio State. But, even if they are not, Sawyer said Ohio State does offer online classes. Or she could take additional courses during certain semesters to still graduate on time.

Sawyer said she did not know where she would end up once she entered the transfer portal.

“I kind of went in pretty blind,” she said. “But I was just kind of hopeful that I would have schools, like, reach out.”

Sawyer will join a familiar face at Ohio State. She said her best friend, Maxine Cimoroni, is finishing up her freshman year at the school.

Sawyer is also excited about the Buckeyes’ coaching staff. Ohio State’s head coach is Nadine Muzerall, a former NCAA star player.

And the Buckeyes’ associate coach, who will work with the club’s defence, is former National Hockey League blueliner James Wisniewski.

“Being able to work with those coaches and kind of train in that kind of environment and all the resources given is just unbelievable,” Sawyer said.

The Buckeyes’ roster also features forward Joy Dunne, who was a member of the U.S. women’s club that won the gold medal at this year’s Milano Cortina Olympics in Italy.

“That’s pretty cool to get to play with her,” Sawyer said.

She is also looking forward to playing with all of her Ohio State teammates.

“Their whole roster has insane depth,” Sawyer said. “So, I’m really excited. It’s going to be a challenge. And it’s kind of like a sink or swim environment where I’m going to always have to be giving my best every single day.”

Sawyer believes the Buckeyes will have four returning players on defence this coming season. She believes she can step in and be a regular contributor.

“I’m pretty confident as long as I’m always working hard,” she said. “I do have confidence in my abilities.”

Sawyer appeared in all 36 of Colgate’s games this past season and earned four assists.

Though she still has at least three seasons of university eligibility remaining, Sawyer is also making some long-term plans. She’s hoping to eventually play in the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL).

“It’s definitely a dream of mine to play professionally,” she said. “And obviously, with the PWHL that can be possible. I’m really looking to play there.”