TORONTO — Bringing her six-foot-one size back to the blue line, the Toronto Six have re-signed defender Lindsay Eastwood to a Premier Hockey Federation contract for the 2022-23 season.
“I’ve made Toronto my home now... I love that it’s a big hockey city. We [T6] have a great fanbase, there’s lots going on in Toronto and I think this city has lots of potential for women’s pro hockey. I just want to be a part of it. I’ve had an amazing experience the last two years and love being a part of this team. I love the players, my teammates, and the whole organization. It just feels right to be playing for the Toronto Six.”
Toronto 6ix Defender, Lindsay Eastwood
A towering presence over the competition, the PHF’s tallest player finished Season 7 by tallying career-high totals, including 14 points on three goals and 11 assists. Those 14 points were tied for second most at her position across the league, and ranked her as Toronto’s fifth-highest point leader. Eastwood was named a PHF All-Star alongside the likes of six other Toronto Six invitees, and her performance made her a finalist for Defender of the Year, while playing on the team’s top pairing with Stephanie Sucharda. Adding to her growing list of achievements, which includes back-to-back Isobel Cup playoff runs in the club’s first two years, Eastwood, across 28 PHF contests, has tallied 20 points, recording four goals while adding 16 assists. Her place in T6 history is also forever cemented for scoring the first goal in franchise history on January 24, 2021.
Eastwood becomes the team’s tenth signing, joining returnees Taylor Davison, Taylor Woods and Saroya Tinker on defence, forwards Shiann Darkangelo and Emma Woods up front, and Elaine Chuli between-the-pipes. Free agents Brittany Howard, Lexi Templeman and Carly Jackson have also entered the fold for 2022-23. The 25-year-old is one of 12 players to compete with the Six during both of the team's first two seasons, and so far joins Darkangelo, Chuli and both Woods’ as players in that department signed for a third straight campaign.
*Check out our interview with Lindsay Eastwood*
“I had the pleasure of coaching Easty last year. She’s a quality defence and we call her steady Freddie back there on the blue line,” said Angela James, General Manager of the Toronto Six. “Her maturity to break out with ease from our zone only reflects the type of personality she has. Lindsay is a big presence back there on the point for us and we look forward to having Lindsay’s ready-to-play game and leadership return to the T6 next year.”
Eastwood made her way to the pro stage after four years of college at Syracuse University. Skating with the Orange women’s hockey team in Division I competition, the native of Ottawa, ON was appointed alternate captain in her Sophomore campaign. That year, she finished as the program’s second-highest point scorer with 23 points in 36 games. She went on to become team captain for her final two years, where she collectively compiled an impressive 42 points. In 2019, she helped guide the Orange to the program’s first ever CHA conference Tournament title, while also earning selections to both the All-Tournament and All-Academic Teams. As a Senior, she ranked first in assists (20) while also sharing the team lead in points (28). Being recognized for program excellence, the Canadian was awarded the prestigious Doris R. Soladay Award for community involvement and “a history of positively influencing their peers personally, academically, and athletically.” Working to upkeep such expectations throughout her collegiate hockey tenure, the Communications and Rhetorical Studies graduate, through 139 games, compiled 75 points, registering 23 goals, while adding 52 assists.
The Kanata, ON native adds past experience from the Under-18 Canadian National Women’s Team, where she secured a silver medal at the 2015 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship. Ecstatic to re-join the Toronto Six amid a period of rapid growth, Eastwood is excited for the chance to play a bigger role and can’t wait to get back into routine and hit the ice alongside her teammates. “Just getting back on the ice at home,” she remarked. “It’s the best. We had a great turnout this past season and we showed up as players as well. Those home games are my favourite, so I’m looking forward to it. I love games, so I just look forward to getting on the ice with the girls and in front of our fans again.”
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