Antigonish native Josie Chisholm going pro 

Former X-Women defender to play in Germany

By Corey LeBlanc

It didn't take long for Josie Chisholm to realize she belonged on the ice and not the dance floor.

"I remember coming home one day and telling my parents (Jamie and Charlene) that I wanted to play hockey," she remembers of a then four or five-year-old's stance in the middle of the family's kitchen floor.

Rather than taking creative dance classes, the St. Andrews, Antigonish County native preferred playing street hockey with her friends from the neighbourhood.

Once she started taking the ice with the Timibits' minor program – trading in her dance shoes for skates – Chisholm's passion for the sport only deepened.

"It was right up my alley," she says.

Chisholm adds, "I loved the speed and strategy."

She also embraced the comradery, meeting teammates and making new friends.

In her early years, although Chisholm played on teams of mostly boys – just like those pick-up games on the pavement – she noticed the continuing growth and development of the women's game.

After finishing her time in bantam, she joined the New Glasgow-based Northern Subway Selects of the Nova Scotia Female Hockey League – her first season skating with an all-girls' roster.

Following one season of prep school in Grade 11, Chisholm skated with the Nepean Wildcats of the Provincial Women's Hockey League (PWHL) in Ontario in her final campaign before high school graduation.

When it came to her post-secondary future – like many other young players, both female and male – she eyed playing at the "highest level" in the NCAA.

But, because of what she describes as the "hometown factor," noting her connection since an early age to head coach Ben Berthiaume and the STFX X-Women program, the White and Blue occupied a spot high on her list of potential universities.

"I also had my experience living and playing away from home," Chisholm says.

She adds, "I missed having that extra motivation that comes with playing in front of friends and family."

Donning the White and Blue

Reflecting on the selection process, Chisholm notes that academics opportunities offered at each university meant as much as the athletic ones. Her seven or eight campus recruiting visits included STFX.

"It was the best – by far," she says of that backyard stop, recalling the excellence of the campus, buildings and academic facilities.

Chisholm explains she realized that STFX was "a placed where I could be me."

As for her Xaverian experience, including four varsity seasons with the X-Women, Chisholm says she has "no regrets."

"It has been an amazing time," she adds.

She praised the "sense of community" – both academically and athletically – offered at STFX.

"It feels like a family – you are not just a number," Chisholm says.

Having the chance to play in front of friends and family, including her grandparents, was "super special."

"They were the loudest people in the barn," Chisholm says, with a laugh, noting their boisterous cheers were difficult to miss while sitting on the bench.

Win or lose, she knew that she and her X-Women teammates had plenty of support.

When it comes to her time in White and Blue, the "biggest highlight," which coincided with the lowest point, came in her sophomore season. After winning the Atlantic University Sport (AUS) title over the rival Saint Mary's Huskies, the X-Women skated to a dramatic overtime victory in quarterfinal action at nationals in Charlottetown. But, only moments later, officials cancelled the 2020 tournament due to the COVID-19 global pandemic.

"It was an incredible season – something special," Chisholm remembers, noting that group continues to have a strong bond.

She offers this past campaign was comparable, with the X-Women having to overcome plenty of challenges, including injuries to key players. It also ended with an appearance on the U SPORTS championship stage.

"We had a lot of adversity, but it was an extremely memorable season," Chisholm says.

One in which she wore the 'C' for the X-Women.

"Josie did a top-notch job," STFX head coach Ben Berthiaume says of her performance in that leadership role.

He adds, "Everyone respected and followed her."

Berthiaume explains becoming a second-to-none leader is just one piece of the puzzle, when it comes to Chisholm's evolution as a student-athlete.

"Josie has really developed – on and off the ice – during her time with the X-Women," he says, adding that she is a defender who can be counted on in any situation.

And, as for Chisholm getting the chance to go pro, Berthiaume offers, "No one deserves it more."

Engineering an opportunity

Before playing for pay was even on the radar, Chisholm was unsure she wanted to skate at the varsity level last season.

"I was rejuvenated," she says of deciding to return for that fourth AUS campaign.

She credits her coaches and teammates – and, more broadly, STFX Athletics – for helping her enjoy what she calls a "great season."

"They helped me get to this spot," Chisholm offers of her chance to play professionally, which she adds is "really exciting."

Nevertheless, even as that memorable season progressed, "It was something not even on my radar [going pro]."

By the time March rolled around, Chisholm deviated from the plan to focus on her academics.

"I was not ready to give it up," she remembers, noting that it wasn't an easy decision to defer her engineering studies for one year.

While playing at the 2023 nationals in Montreal, Chisholm says, "I was starting to get some interest."

While considering her options, she had several conversations with her friend and teammate, Lea MacLeod, who was also exploring professional opportunities.

When the dust settled, the pair found out that they would continue to be teammates this fall with ERC Ingolstadt of the eight-team German Women's Ice Hockey League.

"I knew that I was going to regret it, if I didn't take advantage of the opportunity," Chisholm says.

She agrees that tackling this opportunity with her "lifelong friend" makes it extra special.

Chisholm and MacLeod, who have known each other since they were 11-years-old, have played with and against each other, including representing Hockey Nova Scotia at the provincial, Maritime and Atlantic levels.

"It is great that we are going to be together for this journey."

Chisholm notes she will be leaning on MacLeod, who was born and lived in Germany until she was five, to help with things such as the language barrier and "getting around."

Staying sharp

As for what she thinks she can bring to the table for her new program, Chisholm talks about her "consistency."

"My teammates know that they can rely on me," she offers, noting that she thrives on playing in "pressure moments."

She also touched on her ability "to make the first pass."

Chisholm explains, of not getting the puck out of the defensive zone cleanly, "It can change the momentum."

She will be spending the coming weeks leading up to her first pro training camp in late August honing her whole skill set.

"I am going to continue working on my speed," she says, noting European leagues are widely-known for their quickness.

Chisholm notes she will also be maintaining her connection with Josh Crouse – STFX Athletics lead sports performance coach – which she describes as "invaluable."

"And, I am going to be constantly watching – and thinking – the game," she offers, pointing to the importance of not letting one's focus on the game wane.

Along with on-ice opportunities, Chisholm hopes to have the chance to use – and expand – her engineering education and skills.

"It would be pretty awesome," she agrees to gain some experience in the civil engineering field.

And, as the conversation wound down, Chisholm left one reminder about her eventual return to the classroom to complete her studies.

"I still have one year of [varsity] eligibility left," she offers, with a laugh.

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