Rhyah Stewart

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Rhyah Stewart
Born (2006-11-23) November 23, 2006 (age 18)
Antigonish, Nova Scotia, Canada
Height 5 ft 8 in (173 cm)
Position Goaltender
Catches Left
NCAA team University of Wisconsin

Rhyah Stewart (born November 23, 2006) is a Canadian college ice hockey player who is a goaltender for the University of Wisconsin of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).

Contents

Playing career

In the 2022–23 season, Stewart became the first woman to play for the Cape Breton West Islanders at the boys' under-18 'AAA' level. In 21 games, she recorded a save percentage of .899, the eighth best in the league, facing more shots and making more saves than any other goalie. Her performance earned her an invitation to the preseason camp of the Cape Breton Eagles of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL, then the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League). [1]

While in training camp with Cape Breton, Stewart appeared in a preseason game, playing half the game and stopping all 24 shots she faced in a 5–3 loss to the Moncton Wildcats. [2] Although other women have played in the QMJHL, Stewart was the first from the Maritimes and the first for the Eagles. [3] [4] Returning to the Islanders for the 2023–24 season, Stewart recorded a .913 save percentage in 18 games, earning second team all-star honours before improving to a .930 in 10 playoff games. [5]

Entering the 2024–25 season, Stewart again attended Eagles training camp and again appeared in a preseason game. While at camp, she signed with the West Kent Steamers of the Maritime Junior Hockey League (MHL). Upon her debut for the Steamers, she became the second known female MHL player after goaltender Lisa Herritt in 1995–96. [6] [7] In her first MHL start on September 22, 2024, Stewart recorded a 39-save shutout in a 3–0 victory over the Grand Falls Rapids. [8] [9] After allowing just one goal in her following start, she was named MHL rookie of the month for September 2024. [10] In ten games that season, she recorded a .903 save percentage. [11]

Stewart joined the University of Wisconsin for the 2025–26 season, making her debut on October 4, 2025, halfway through the third period of a 5–0 victory over the University of Maine. In nine minutes of play, she stopped all three shots she faced. [12]

International play

Medal record
Women's ice hockey
Representing Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada
World U18 Championships
Bronze medal icon (B initial).svg 2024 Switzerland

Representing Canada at the 2024 World U18 Championship, Stewart recorded a .950 save percentage and 0.67 goals against average, winning all three games she played. [5] In a quarterfinal win against Switzerland, she recorded a three-save shutout. [13] Although she was not in goal for Canada's semifinal upset loss to the Czech Republic, Stewart returned for the bronze medal match, where she backstopped an 8–1 victory over Finland to claim third place. [14]

Personal life

Stewart is from Antigonish, Nova Scotia. She has three brothers. [15]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Note:  GP = Games played; Min, TOI = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T,T/OT = Ties; OTL = Overtime losses; GA = Goals-against; GAA =  Goals-against average; SO =  Shutouts; SV% =  Save percentage;
Regular season Playoffs
Season TeamLeagueGPWLT/OTMINGA SO GAA SV% GPWLMINGASOGAASV%
2024–25 West Kent Steamers MHL
106305673013.17.903————————
MHL totals106305673013.17.903————————

International

Note:  GP = Games played; Min, TOI = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T,T/OT = Ties; OTL = Overtime losses; GA = Goals-against; GAA =  Goals-against average; SO =  Shutouts; SV% =  Save percentage;
Regular season
YearTeamEventResultGPWLT/OTMINGA SO GAA SV%
2024 Canada U18 Bronze medal icon.svg
3300180210.67.950
Junior totals3300180210.67.950

References

  1. ↑ Kennedy, Ian (June 21, 2023). "Wisconsin Commit Rhyah Stewart Earns QMJHL Invite". The Hockey News . Retrieved September 12, 2024.
  2. ↑ Kennedy, Ian (August 25, 2023). "Rhyah Stewart Earns First Star In QMJHL Preseason Game". The Hockey News . Retrieved September 12, 2024.
  3. ↑ McKenna, Kathleen (August 23, 2023). "Antigonish teen is first female player to attend training camp for Cape Breton Eagles". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation . Retrieved September 12, 2024.
  4. ↑ Bailey, Mitchell (August 25, 2023). "N.S. goaltender to make hockey history when she suits up for Cape Breton Eagles". Global News . Retrieved September 12, 2024.
  5. 1 2 Kennedy, Ian (September 10, 2024). "Rhyah Stewart Set To Become First Woman To Play Junior A Hockey In Maritime League". The Hockey News . Retrieved September 12, 2024.
  6. ↑ Palmeter, Paul (September 10, 2024). "Antigonish teen to become one of first females to play in junior A hockey league". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation . Retrieved September 12, 2024.
  7. ↑ "Rhyah Stewart to become the 2nd female to play in the MHL". Maritime Junior Hockey League. September 12, 2024. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
  8. ↑ Kennedy, Ian (September 26, 2024). "Stewart Earns Shutout In Her First Junior A Start". The Hockey News . Retrieved October 8, 2024.
  9. ↑ Vohra, Ameeta (October 3, 2024). "Stewart continues to smash barriers". International Ice Hockey Federation . Retrieved October 8, 2024.
  10. ↑ "Steamers' Stewart named MHL Top Rookie for September". Maritime Junior Hockey League. October 3, 2024. Retrieved January 18, 2025.
  11. ↑ Opp, Haellie (September 26, 2025). "Wisconsin women's hockey looks to defend national title with six freshman". The Daily Cardinal. Retrieved October 27, 2025.
  12. ↑ "No. 1 Wisconsin earns home-sweep with shutout against Maine". Wisconsin Badgers. October 4, 2025. Retrieved October 27, 2025.
  13. ↑ "Canada to face Czechs in semifinals at women's U18 worlds after crushing Switzerland". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation . January 11, 2024. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
  14. ↑ Aykyroyd, Lucas (January 14, 2024). "Canada thrashes Finns for bronze". International Ice Hockey Federation . Retrieved September 12, 2024.
  15. ↑ "Rhyah Stewart". Wisconsin Badgers. Retrieved October 27, 2025.
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