Manitoba goaltender Raygan Kirk has had a terrific season with the PWHL's Toronto Sceptres and the rookie has enjoyed every moment of being a professional hockey player.
Coming out of college, Kirk admits that getting used to the schedule has been a lot of fun but it has taken some time to get accustomed to it all. "It's been a lot of fun so far, it's flown, it's crazy to think playoffs start in May, but it's been a lot of fun but I really can't get over just how fast it's all flown by."
It's not just the schedule; it's the professional lifestyle that Kirk says takes some getting used to, including the differences between life at home and life on the road. "It's very different, actually. They take really good care of us when we're on the road, the staff is incredible, both ours and the opposing team. The most recent trip, we had three games and we maybe practiced twice, just because there is so much travel. Going between cities, you're really not on the ice that much, which is a big difference compared to being at home. Even in college, you don't realize how much time travel takes. You need days off to rest but we get to explore the cities we're in. We were in Boston for most of that road trip, so it's cool that we got to see Fenway Park, walk around the streets, and visit little shops. It's all pretty cool."
During those lengthy road trips, Kirk says the team sticks pretty close together, and when you're around one another for days on end, there's always things that come from it. "There are always funny stories that come out of it. We all get along really well. There are times when we'll branch off; some will go for dinner with a group of girls. On this most recent Boston trip, if there are players you know from the other team, some may go for lunch with them. But, we all have the same roommates throughout the road trip, so you sure get to know them well. We make the most of it, but I'm sure by the end of the road trip, we're all ready to get in our own beds and have some time alone, for sure."
As a goaltender, one of Kirk's favourite parts of this season has been talking hockey, not just with the other goalies on the Sceptres, but also the forwards and defenders, learning all aspects of the game to help her become the best version of herself. "Everyone has so much experience, it's been so much fun talking hockey, especially with the older girls. It's interesting learning what to think even in between periods, if things are not going our way, how to sort of handle that. Forwards talk to defense and defenders are talking about how to help, it's a collaborative team effort. Even for myself, as a goalie, if you're coming down the wall on me, here's what's difficult for me. Going over those details is a lot of fun, and we're all really good at helping each other. There's so much knowledge; it's great."
Toronto is on the brink of clinching a playoff spot, so it's all hands on deck making sure the group gets to where they want to be and Kirk says that puts a strain on players both mentally and physically. "We're playing quite a few games more than we played in college, sometimes it's three games in a week or two games plus travel, it takes a toll on the body. You try and prepare the same way every night. We're one point away from clinching playoffs and that's part of the mental side of things, we want to be playing like it is playoffs. That will lead us to success, so it's personal, it's on everyone to find what it takes to perform at your best. Your collective goals are going to help the team be successful. I think everyone has learned from the beginning of the season when things were not going well and now we're just trying to keep it together. We want to finish off the regular season strong, clinch playoffs and then it's full go from there."
The popularity of the PWHL continues to grow and Kirk says it's pretty amazing to see how far it's come and where it's still going to go. "It's been incredible," Kirk says with a big smile. "We sell out every home game, which is about 9000 (people), so it's been super incredible. The last 'Takeover Tour' we did was in Edmonton, and I was fortunate enough to play in that game. It was a neutral site game, so the crowd was just cheering for every moment of the game. There's talk of expansion, which everyone is super excited about and we're just waiting on news there that might be coming shortly, but it's been incredible. The fans in Toronto, every player will say they have the best fans but I think ours really are the best, they take the cake on that one."
Growing up a hockey fan, Kirk has watched broadcasted games her entire life and getting to be on a major sports channel so all her friends and family can watch her like she used to watch other professionals is pretty special. "It's special but it's important for the growth of our game. Seeing how far we've come as a sport, it used to be on YouTube and maybe once on TSN or ESPN, but now, you get it all on the TV like you would a Jets game, it'll be there and it's huge. It's great to show it to fans that maybe cannot come to games and it's great to have in front of people."
On the ice, Kirk has worked tirelessly at her craft and it's shown as the season has gone on. "I think the big things for me and even with the goalie coach, he has us pushing with a pro mindset. Getting to our spots quicker, scanning a little more because the players are so smart in this league, they're faster and the shots are harder. They won't just shoot a gut shot at you, they're going to wait for that exceptional chance, so you have to be on your game at every moment. I've pushed myself that way. Style may stay the same, but it's how hard you work at building good habits. I've done it this year and I'm going to keep working on that going forward."
A big point of pride for Kirk is earning the trust of her teammates, something she cherishes and has never taken for granted at any level. "I think it's huge for my confidence, especially as a rookie, knowing they have faith in me, it makes me want to be the best for them. There's pressure to it but that pressure is a privilege. Their confidence we have as goalies, it's also huge. We all have each others backs. The girls have so much experience here, that helps as well."
Building that relationship with the other goalies is also something that means the world to Kirk, she says she's learned a lot and has also gained the confidence to carry that conversation at points. "It's been huge, especially on the bench, if someone else is in the net, you have to accept your role and whatever she needs, you do. If it's warmup and she want's more reps, you adjust to that. We're really good at talking hockey, seeing plays, discussing what I see on the bench, we're really good at communication. Every partnership is different but it's been really great."
Kirk says the conversations when she's on the bench are a little different compared to when she's starting. "I think Soupy (Kristen Campbell) and I, we're both different in that way," she says with a laugh. "In college, I didn't really chat; I'd just go to the bench and listen to the coach. But now, these TV timeouts are longer, so I have to keep myself busy, get a drink, or use the towel. Soupy likes to talk more than I do when I'm starting, but if she sees something, she'll let me know. She likes when we can break down the plays, so we're a bit different in that way. Also, it depends on if one hasn't played in a while, then there might be more details going back and forth. I think we're both different but we're there to support, either way."
Part of being in the PWHL is using social media to help bring people closer to the team and getting to know the players' personalities, which Kirk has really enjoyed as she's gotten more comfortable being in front of the camera. "I think that part is a fun piece. A lot of pro sports do it and the girls enjoy it. We've had a great social media presence, doing lots of interviews and being in a successful program in college was a great kind of first step into realizing how important it can be. We love doing that stuff; we always go over our answers when we get back to the locker room. It's great. Our social media team is great and they always have fun stuff for us."
No matter what league, no matter what level, no matter what country she may be in at the time, Kirk always keeps an eye on what is going on close to her hometown, Ste. Anne, Manitoba and watching the Eastman Selects U18 and U15 teams win their respective leagues, couldn't have made her prouder and knowing she's paving the road for them to one day follow in her footsteps means the world. "I think they're so amazing, they did so well this year. I was watching that double overtime game even though that game went past my bedtime. I was able to talk to the U18 girls before the start of their season, I was out and went out for practice, then talked about my experience and I told them I was part of that team that won for the first time and now we're collecting more hardware. They've all been so great, I love when they come up and ask questions, they had an amazing season and I'm so proud of them."
The Toronto Sceptres are back in action in Boston on April 26th.