This Canadian pro hockey goalie is a nerd for planet Earth

“If I wasn’t playing hockey, I think I’d be doing research for National Geographic,” Raygan Kirk says. The Toronto Sceptres goaltender owes her love of nature to yard-work, after a neighbour in her hometown of Ste. Anne, Man., enlisted her help. It sprouted a fascination with growing things that carried all the way through a degree in environmental science.

But Kirk is playing hockey, as a rookie member of a rookie team, having joined the Professional Women’s Hockey League, or PWHL, in its second season. Starting something new is hard, and the Sceptres wobbled on the ice to start the season. 

Yet Kirk has shone, including stopping 33 out of 35 shots taken by the Ottawa Charge on Feb. 16, helping the team hit a four-game winning streak. It’s not really a surprise given her college career in the U.S., which included helping the Ohio Buckeyes women’s team land its first National Collegiate Athletic Association title in 2022. 

If you’re yet to catch Kirk in action, CBC, TSN and Prime Video Canada are broadcasting the Sceptres and the rest of the PWHL. And when she’s not in net, she’s probably out hiking, as she told The Narwhal when she took our Moose Questionnaire.

The interview has been edited for length and clarity — all opinions are the subject’s own.

What’s the most awe-inspiring natural sight you’ve witnessed between the Pacific, Atlantic, 49th parallel and Hudson Bay, i.e Canada? 

Hiking with my family through Burnaby Mountain park in B.C. was the first time I had seen tree species of that size. Massive Douglas firs. 

What’s the most awe-inspiring sight you’ve seen outside of Canada? 

Hiking a portion of Crow Pass in the Chugach National Forest, Alaska, this past summer was the coolest experience ever. The views of Eagle River and Raven Glacier at our turnaround point were incredible and any photos I have truly do not do it justice. 

Think of three iconic Canadian animals. Choose one each to kiss, marry and kill. 

Kiss: A beaver. They are adorable and one of the smartest creatures. They’re literally engineers! 

Marry: A moose. Simply because they are so cool. 

Kill: I hate to kill anything, but I wouldn’t mind getting rid of Canada geese since I have a bad habit of stepping in their droppings. 

Name a person or group doing something meaningful for the environment that everyone should know about.  

David Attenborough! I think he has done so much to advocate for environmental causes and inspire people to care about nature through his work on The Blue Planet and Our Planet. I think his documentary A Life on Our Planet is something everyone should watch. 

Outdoor cats, yes or no? 

I am a cat fan, but would have to give a hard no to outdoor cats since they are one of the top killers of birds. 

Tell us about a time that you changed your mind about something, environmental or otherwise.  

Getting a bachelor’s degree in environmental science was truly an eye-opening five years for me. A perspective I had that changed a lot was the concept of wildland fires. I think the image of acres of burned forest land can seem upsetting, but many of my classes in university taught me about the importance of wildland fires for specific tree species, and how this can actually benefit the ecosystem long term. I learned a lot about the history of fire suppression across North America and the changes that have been made to restore natural fire regimes. 

Yes, you have to choose: Rocky Mountains or Great Lakes? 

This is a tough one since driving through the upper peninsula of Michigan is one of my favourite trips to do. But I would have to say the Rocky Mountains. I would love to visit the southern range of the Rockies someday. 

If you could dip a toe off Canada’s coastline, which ocean would it be in?   

I have never been to the Maritimes, so I would have to say the Atlantic Ocean. 

What’s the farthest north you’ve been and what did you do there? 

Anchorage, Alaska. I took a trip with some of my old teammates this summer and it was incredible. We did a lot of hiking, explored lots of small towns, camped outside and took a fishing charter out of Homer. 

What’s one way you interact with the natural world on a daily basis? 

I love to go on walks. No matter what city I am living in, it is a simple thing to do to go outside and stay in touch with the outdoors. 

Who in your life has had the greatest impact on your connection to nature? 

When I was in high school, a neighbour of mine hired my brother and me to help with her very large garden and backyard. I think those summers helped me realize how much I cared about the environment and pushed me to pursue a degree in environmental science with a specialization in ecosystem restoration. (Thank you, Erika!)

Camping: yes or no? 

Yes! If done responsibly it is a great way to connect with nature and get a break from suburban life.