A McRoberts alumna is aiming for first place in the Premier Hockey Federation (PHF) this weekend, after she helped promote hockey in China for three successful seasons.
The Richmond News caught up with Toronto Six forward Leah Lum before the big weekend.
"We're feeling pretty good. We're excited to have our last regular season games here," she said.
"Obviously, they're kind of big games playing Boston (Pride). That's gonna be a pretty big matchup."
Lum signed with the Toronto Six for the 2022 to 2023 season last September after playing for Shenzhen's Kunlun Red Star for three seasons and representing China at the 2022 Winter Olympic Games.
"I just decided to come back to North America this season, (I) kind of wanted to be back and a little bit closer to home," she told the News.
Lum said playing in China was "probably one of the coolest experiences" that she had been through.
Although Kunlun Red Star was originally based in Shenzhen, the team decided to move to Russia during the COVID-19 pandemic and join the local Women's Hockey League there.
Travelling with the Kunlun Red Star team was enjoyable, Lum added, but the biggest highlight during her overseas hockey career was playing in the Olympics.
"The ultimate goal was going to be the Olympics. And you know, being able to experience that was kind of what the whole journey was all about," she said.
"I think being a part of a national team ... that was kind of the coolest thing as well, just being able to represent my heritage and my family."
Lum was also able to meet some of her best friends while playing in China, including some of her current teammates.
"(I) definitely made a lot of sacrifices and leaving home and going overseas for that long, but no, I wouldn't change it... for anything."
After this weekend's games, Lum is set to play in next week's PHF's 2023 Isobel Cup Playoffs, where the league's top four teams will face off after a historic season that saw record-breaking numbers of teams and games.
"We're really looking forward to it, especially going back to the Maple Leaf Garden where that's where they held the All-Star games as well," she said.
As the team gets ready to face the Boston Pride and take on the playoffs, Lum is feeling optimistic about the team's condition.
"We're good. We have a very, very talented group, very close-knit group. (It's) kind of something I haven't really been a part of. It's crazy that all 23 girls are this close," she said.
"So I'm excited and I know the rest of my team is as well."
