Victoria Bach’s childhood dreams will become a reality when she steps on the ice in Toronto next month, making her debut in the newly launched Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL).

With a love of sport paired with a passion for education, the Indigenous athlete and Brock University student is simultaneously pursuing her other goal of becoming a teacher.

“I have a lot of thanks to give to Brock. I chose the right university for my path, and I couldn’t be happier with my decision,” said Bach, who hopes to inspire youth through her career, both on and off the ice.

In addition to her intense athletic training, Bach is completing her final semester in Brock’s Consecutive Teacher Education program in the Faculty of Education (FOE), balancing classes with practices ahead of starting with the team in February.

Brock University teacher candidate and professional hockey player Victoria Bach, No. 51 on the Canadian National Team (Hockey Canada), will play her first game with the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) in February while completing Brock’s teacher education program.

“The Faculty of Education has been so supportive of my professional sports career,” she said. “Their impact reaches beyond me; there are young girls whose lives will be changed by watching women play professional hockey—we are all part of this historic moment.”

Growing up, Bach loved teaching and coaching kids at hockey camps and knew early on that she wanted to be an educator in the future.

“There is a lot of synergy between teaching and being an athlete; both require teamwork and strong work ethic,” she said. “Being a hockey player now will help me in my teaching career when I am no longer playing the sport.”

Darlene Ciuffetelli Parker, FOE Professor and Associate Dean of Professional and Undergraduate Services, said Bach is paving the way for women athletes, inspiring future generations to embrace a multiplicity of passions.

“Victoria demonstrates impressive dedication to her education and to sports. We are thrilled that she is realizing her dream and passion of playing professional hockey and her passion in becoming a teacher. We will be cheering her on throughout her career,” she said.

After years of tirelessly advocating for the creation of a women’s professional hockey league, Bach is now a forward for Toronto in the newly formed PWHL.

Already a decorated athlete, Bach won a gold medal for Canada at the Beijing 2022 Olympic Games as an alternate and won two gold medals with Canada at the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) World Championships in 2021 and 2022.

Looking to the future, as First Nations, Mohawk from the Bay of Quinte, Bach is motivated to be an inspiring role model in sport for aspiring youth.

An active volunteer with First Assist, Bach speaks with Indigenous youth about how hockey has shaped her life and plans to become more involved in sharing Indigenous history and culture in the future.

In addition to playing in the PWHL, next on the horizon for Bach is representing Canada in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan.

“I dreamt of this as a kid, to represent my country in the Olympics,” she said.