Schurman reflects on magical run with hockey X-Women

Head coach praises former captain for lasting contributions to program
by Corey LeBlanc

It has been more than seven months since Lydia Schurman triumphantly hoisted the Atlantic University Sport (AUS) championship trophy on home ice at the Keating Centre.

For the now former team captain – and five-year stalwart with the StFX X-Women hockey program – it might as well only have taken place yesterday.

"I think it is still the highlight of my life," the Summerside, PEI native says in a recent phone interview from Alberta, where she has started her first year of a master's program in pathology at the University of Calgary.

After a couple near misses on the conference championship stage, Schurman took home that first title – in her final season – as a result of a two-game sweep over the rival Saint Mary's Huskies.

"She willed our team down the stretch," X-Women head coach Ben Berthiaume says of the two-way forward, who was named the top defensive player in the AUS during the regular season.

He praised Schurman as a "great leader."

After the White and Blue started the regular campaign with a pedestrian – for them – 4-4 record, they ripped off an unbeaten streak that only ended with the cancellation of the CIS national championship tournament due to the then growing coronavirus global pandemic.

"They rallied around her," Berthiaume says of her influence – both on and off the ice – on the team.

He adds her tireless effort became "contagious," describing it as "phenomenal."

In that March 5 title-clincher – where they rallied from an early two-goal deficit for a 5-3 victory – her dogged determination was at the forefront, particularly on the fore-check, Schurman led the comeback charge.

With more than 1,800 fans on hand – most cheering for the home side, she remembers her team "came out jittery."

"I didn't want to lose in front of such a big crowd," Schurman says, with a laugh, in reflecting on what inspired her during the X-Women's rally.

When the game ended, she remembers thinking "we finally made it."

Schurman not only shared that thrill with teammates and coaches – along with dedicated White and Blue supporters – but also members of her family.

"I don't think they missed a single game all season," she says of her parents – Sharon and Todd – who joined the on-ice celebration.

Considering "everything they have done for me," Schurman says having them there made her championship moment "extra special."

And having her grandmother, JoAnne Schurman, in the stands made it unforgettable.

"She has always been my #1 fan," the proud granddaughter notes.

Although she finished with two key assists, the stamp Schurman left on that game can't be measured solely by statistics.

"[It is] one of the best efforts that I have ever seen by an X-Women player," Berthiaume says.

'Always work hard'

When asked about what turned their conference championship season around – one highlighted by a 16-game winning streak to end the campaign, including the post-season – Schurman suggests there was no "specific event."

"We were getting frustrated, we were pretty upset," she says of their sputtering start.

Schurman notes the players decided there was one thing they could control totally – their attitude.

"We started to show up and give 100 per cent," she adds, while ramping up their strengths – such as strong checking and team speed.

Schurman concedes there was probably "some luck" involved in their memorable stretch, but it also involved "a lot of hard work."

Schurman deflects credit for the role she played in their success, noting there is nothing specific she "said or did" that helped spark the turnaround.

When asked about her work ethic – one for which she receives unending praise – Schurman says she has "always been a hard worker."

Growing up, she remembers, her parents preached the importance of "working hard," no matter what sport she played, or avenue she pursued.

As for her leadership style, Schurman offers it is usually "by example."

"When I did speak up, I always wanted to be positive," she says.

She notes another key was the inspiration they drew from the late Oliver Smith, a die-hard supporter of the program who passed away in June 2019 from the effects of Ewing Sarcoma – a rare childhood bone cancer. Schurman says the X-Women worked to live up to the Antigonish minor hockey player's mantra to 'always work hard.'

"We will never forget how important he was to our team," she adds.

Schurman also stressed the importance of the family atmosphere around the team.

'We respected each other and we loved going to the rink and being together," she says.

'Couldn't believe it'

With the electrifying sweep over the Huskies, the White and Blue not only captured an AUS banner, but also a berth in the six-team national championship tournament in Charlottetown, which served as a homecoming for the PEI product.

Trailing 2-1 to the Montréal Carabins, with less than one minute remaining in regulation time, the 17^th consecutive victory for the X-Women – and a spot in the semi-finals – were in jeopardy.

"I couldn't believe it," Schurman remembers of the moment when Berthiaume sent her out for a key face-off in the offensive zone.

Seconds after winning the important draw, she scored the tying goal at the 19:19 mark of the third period.

"Because of my playing style, I would never bet on myself to score," Schurman says.

She remembers thinking this could be the last shift of her varsity career, so she decided to "try hard and have fun."

"It was pretty amazing – it is still amazing," Schurman adds.

After securing a 3-2 overtime victory on a goal by Kate Gotaas – another veteran forward – Schurman remembers the X-Women continued to "freak out," as they started to make their way from the locker room to complete a "cool down."

It was then that the proverbial highest of highs became the lowest of lows, when their coaches let the players know that the tournament would likely be cancelled [it was] – due to the growing Covid-19 pandemic – which would snuff out the X-Women's push for the program's first CIS title.

After having a "pity party" that night, Schurman says perspective started to set in, considering what was going on around the world.

"It was easy to feel badly," she adds, "but we also knew what it meant in the grand scheme of things."

Although the end of their season may have been abrupt – and utterly disappointing – Berthiaume says "you couldn't have written a better script," when it comes to how Schurman wrapped up her White and Blue career in her home province.

As for giving her the opportunity to go out and help tie the game, which Schurman did in dramatic fashion, Berthiaume adds "she deserved it."

Putting the team first

The road to earning that opportunity she so richly deserved began in the Canada's smallest province – her beloved PEI.

"I don't really remember," she says, with a laugh, when asked when she played hockey for the first time.

She recalls she started skating when she was three years old.

"I come from a big hockey family," Schurman says, noting her first hockey skates were hand-me-downs from her older brother, Bray.

Once she laced up those blades, she remembers "that was it for me," and Schurman fell in love with the game.

After climbing the minor hockey ladder, the then 15-year-old took her skills to St. Catharine's, Ontario, where she attended Ridley College, a school highly-regarded for its academic and athletic opportunities.

"It was definitely a great experience – both hockey-wise and academically," Schurman remembers.

Although she says she "talked to other schools," she says she "knew where she wanted to go [to university]" after her recruiting visit to the Antigonish campus.

"I never doubted my choice," she adds.

Recalling her freshman season, Schurman describes the transition to AUS action as a "big jump."

"I was so impressed with how fast the game was," she says.

In those first seasons, the work ethic and commitment of the experienced X-Women players had a lasting effect on her, something she hoped she could pass on when she became a veteran on the squad.

Schurman admits her start as a fourth-liner was challenging, considering she was most often a top-line player during her previous stops. Nevertheless, she says she "kept working hard."

"It was one of the greatest things," Schurman agrees, describing having to work her way up the depth chart as "humbling."

She adds she realized playing time would "not be handed to you" at StFX.

Because of the great coaching offered at X, Schurman says she knew "hard work was admired."

She adds she decided early on to focus on the "bigger picture."

"I always put the team first," Schurman says.

As for her five-year stint in White and Blue, she notes "each one was different," including the "atmosphere and morale" around the program.

"There were so many special times, so many special moments," she says.

Schurman adds "you really do become a family."

She notes "hockey provides you with friendships that last forever," adding she remains close with teammates from each part of her X-Women journey.

"I am most thankful," Schurman says of her experience.

'Really enjoying it'

Although she is "really enjoying" the beginning of her studies at the University of Calgary, Schurman notes "it is hard" not to be playing organized hockey for the first time in a couple decades or so.

"It is certainly weird, especially at this time of year," she says.

Schurman misses the "whole feeling of being on a team," including bonding with her teammates, especially the first-year players.

"I even miss the rides on the bus," she quips.

Nevertheless, Schurman admits it has been nice to have a break from playing at a competitive level for so long.

An honours graduate from StFX with a Bachelor of Science, majoring in biology – she has more time to focus on her studies. After completing her two-year graduate program, Schurman wants to focus on the areas of disease and injury, in either the medical and laboratory sciences.

"It is great to be experiencing some different things," she says.

But that doesn't mean Schurman is hanging up her skates, noting playing in a recreational or "beer league" will be part of her future.

And, probably not surprisingly, she hopes to do a "little bit of coaching."

"I love the hockey community and it is something that I always want to keep close to me," Schurman says.

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