Sarah Nurse:
Styling & Profiling on and off the ice
By David Pagnotta
Photography by Nicole De Khors
Styled by Sydney Weiner
Makeup by Revlon
Ice Warriors Magazine - Issue 2
Cover Feature
It is almost impossible to think of women’s hockey and not associate the game with superstar Sarah Nurse.
The impact she has on the sport on and off the ice has been evident since she first laced up her skates for Team Canada, and she continues to be one of the busiest and hungriest female athletes on the planet.
We were fortunate to not only catch up with Nurse about her growth, passion and dedication for the game, the PWHL and the upcoming Winter Olympics, but we got to know more about her on a personal level during our cover shoot at Secrette Speakeasy Bar, a hidden gem above George Restaurant at Verity, a magnificent members-only women’s club in Toronto.
From falling in love with the sport at a very young age, to capturing gold at the 2022 Winter Olympics, Nurse also spoke with us about her hobbies away from the rink and, of course, her dog, Romeo.
IW: When did you first fall in love with hockey?
SN: I first started skating when I was 3, but before falling in love with the actual game of hockey, I was obsessed with being fast out on the ice. It was so fun and such a freeing feeling. When you're young it's hard to remember all the details but I do know when I saw the women playing in the 2002 Olympics, I couldn't believe that there were so many women who played. Before that, I thought I was the only one. Once I saw them, I really started to love it more and knew I wanted to be on the ice like them some day.
IW. Understanding the skill set you had, what helped push or drive you into diving headfirst into becoming a pro athlete?
SN: I have an extremely athletic family, and everyone is very competitive in a way that really pushes each other. I had so many adults to look at that were achieving athletic success and they really showed me what being a professional athlete might entail. When I was younger, I would spend a lot of time training with my cousins Kia and Darnell, and we would go out to Arizona in the summers with our uncle Donovan, who played professional football. I saw how much work he put in day in and day out and that helped push me. My dad was also a huge factor, giving me so many different opportunities to improve and pushing me to be better. Above all else, I think what helped drive me was my love of playing – I never looked at hockey as a job or a career – mainly because it really wasn't a viable career options for me, but I think seeing it as a dream and exciting game made me enjoy doing it every day and pushing myself was easier because of that love I had.
“Fashion is a really big passion of mine and a way I can express myself. Growing up, I always had this very feminine side to me, and I love being able to merge it with the world of sport. Curating different outfits on my own or with my stylist makes each day and event more exciting for me. I truly love dressing up.”
IW: Clearly, your family influenced the person and athlete you’ve become.
SN: As I said before, my family has been a big influence in my athletic career – so many people serve as role models and confidants for me to do this day. As a person, I've developed so many core values from my relationships with my families and they have really shaped me into who I am today.
IW: Where does Olympic Gold (2022) rank on your list of accolades/accomplishments, thus far?
SN: Probably the best of them! It's definitely my career highlight, thus far. It's always been a goal of mine, and the feeling far exceeded all my expectations and dreams.
IW: How intense is the Canada/USA rivalry, on the ice?
SN: It's super intense. I think now with the league, it's a bit more interesting because we're teammates in the PWHL then go compete against each other so it adds a whole other layer. You see it with the men and women though, it's a whole different game when you have Canada and the U.S. playing against each other. From our end, we always want to elevate how we play most in those moments.
IW: How important is the collegiate path for the development of women hockey players?
SN: I think it's a super great opportunity for girls to get an education and continue to develop their hockey skills. We don't have other league options in North America right now so it isn't like on the men’s side where they can play in the CHL. For women, going to college is the best way to continue playing with other women at an elite level.
IW: Season 2 now in the PWHL. Touch on the significance of the league to you, its rapid growth, and what you feel the impact it will have on young girls who want to pursue a career in pro women’s hockey.
SN: The PWHL's growth has been incredible. It's been a whirlwind to experience but I think through it all we're seeing firsthand how the best way to grow the game is to give girls more access to the game. What the PWHL gives is young girls an opportunity to see what a path to professional hockey might look like and give them a goal to work towards. While it's still early on I think we'll see less drop out in the sport and more skill development now that there is a viable path forward for women. I feel so lucky to be playing at a time where this was possible because I know many women before me didn't get the chance.
IW: The fans have flocked to your games and across the PWHL. Games in additional markets are in place to further enhance the league’s reach. To see this type of reaction continue in season 2, what does that mean to you? What does it show you about your league?
SN: It's all incredible. Right before we launched, I always knew it was a good idea, but you still don't know how the reaction would be. To see the success is beyond what I could have imagined.
IW: The PWHL will be expanding. How exciting is it to see this league begin this path as early as next season?
SN: Super exciting – we know that it's just the beginning but want to keep growing. We keep hearing from other markets that they want teams there and these neutral site games perform so well.
“my family has been a big influence in my athletic career – so many people serve as role models and confidants for me to do this day. As a person, I've developed so many core values from my relationships with my families and they have really shaped me into who I am today.”
IW: Away from the ice, what are some of your top hobbies – and why?
SN: I'm usually quite busy when I'm away from the ice with my outside business ventures and being a member of the PWHLPA board, but I do try to spend time with my dog Romeo and love trying new restaurants around Toronto. I'm a pretty big reader, as well.
IW: Aside from hockey, what are some of your passions away from the rink – not necessarily your hobbies?
SN: I'm really passionate about fashion and beauty, as well as entrepreneurship! I've really enjoying using my platform to learn more about different business spaces and meet different people who could share their wisdom with me.
IW: You’re one of the more polarizing athletes in the women’s game and one who has a bright spotlight on her. How do you balance hockey and your off-ice commitments with your personal life?
SN: I lean a lot on family and my team to help balance all of the commitments. My management team at Dulcedo Sports & Entertainment does a great job at ensuring hockey is the first priority and I'm not burning out. They'll take a ton off my plate to ensure I can show up on the ice and play my best. I also really enjoy working with my partners and attending different events, so I think seeing it as more of a passion rather than a job helps me enjoy it and stay balanced.
IW: Any vacation hot spots, or top-3 places on your bucket list?
SN: African Safari. South of France. Italy.
IW: We did this cover shoot with a high sense of fashion in mind. From your game day fits to public appearances and just living life, how much does fashion play a role in your day-to-day?
SN: Fashion is a really big passion of mine and a way I can express myself. Growing up, I always had this very feminine side to me, and I love being able to merge it with the world of sport. Curating different outfits on my own or with my stylist makes each day and event more exciting for me. I truly love dressing up.
IW: Do you have a specific pregame meal?
SN: I do not!
IW: What is your favourite sport aside from hockey?
SN: Volleyball and tennis.
IW: Talking music. What are your go-to tracks or albums to listen to on the regular?
SN: I'm a big Beyonce fan – loved Cowboy Carter and I've been in my Taylor Swift era lately.
IW: Do you differentiate what you listen to when you’re in pregame mode vs workout mode?
SN: No!
IW: How’s Romeo these days? We need more pup content on social!
SN: He's the best – he isn't a big fan of the hockey season because it means less time with me while I travel but he is always so fun to come home to.
IW: We’re well over a year from the 2026 Olympics, but are you already thinking that far ahead – defending your title?
SN: With the PWHL in full swing I try not to think too far ahead but definitely going to be super exciting. I think it will mean a lot to have friends and family back there with us and hopefully defend our title with them there. Winning gold was incredible but it would mean even more if we can celebrate with them.
