Hockey was always the goal for Corinne Schroeder - but it wasn't always a possibility to make it a career.
Schroeder burst onto the professional women's hockey scene in the Professional Hockey Federation (PHF), playing for the Boston Pride and finishing her first pro season with a record of 19-1-0, 7 shutouts and setting PHF records in several other categories.
Unfortunately, after just one season, the PHF folded, leaving many woman hockey players in limbo, Schroeder being one of them.
Thankfully, the PWHL, or Professional Women's Hockey League was announced in the summer of 2023, and the excitement of a new league starting began to form across North America.
Schroeder was selected in the 6th round of the draft, 33rd overall to New York, where on Monday, she was a part of the PWHL's first regular season game ever. Her 29-save performance earned her the honour of recording the PWHL's first win and shutout.
"It's definitely been a bit overwhelming, with all the media attention as well as just a lot of personal messages from all my friends and family, and anyone I've ever really known has reached out, so it's been great to have all that support."
The new league has opened doors for many women to play professional hockey in North America, which is something Schroeder says wasn't even something she dreamed could happen as a child.
"My dreams were kind of capped at college hockey, and I made it that far, and then things continued to grow. I had the opportunity last year to play in the PHF and then this year with the new league, so it's been really incredible and not something I had really dreamed of."
Schroeder went on to talk about all the people who have been involved in helping to get her to this stage.
"My family has been super supportive of me always, and that's fantastic. And of course, I've had so many coaches over the years who have really shaped the way I saw the game and played the game and just loved it as well."
Schroeder also gave a shoutout to the rink in Elm Creek where she got her start, stating, "That's where I started playing hockey in general, I think I started as a defenceman and then rotated through all the positions. I've done it all, but goaltending is my passion."