Several years back, Daryl Watts experienced a moment of longing as she scrolled through her phone.
While watching videos of friends practicing hockey on the ice, Watts, a former recipient of the prestigious Patty Kazmaier Award for excellence in women’s college hockey, was immersed in a summer internship in commercial real estate in downtown Toronto.
Having concluded her college stint at the University of Wisconsin, Watts initially believed her career path veered away from hockey, leading her to retire and pursue other ventures.
However, her passion for hockey reignited, prompting Watts to resume playing the sport just 10 months after stepping away.
Expressing her joy and gratitude for returning to the ice, Watts stated in an interview with CBC Sports, “I’m extremely thankful and happy to be playing hockey because I truly feel it’s my calling. It’s my first love.”
Watts is currently vying for a spot on the Canadian Olympic team, a dream she has nurtured since childhood. At 26, she secured a spot on Hockey Canada’s training camp roster earlier this summer, positioning her for upcoming training sessions in Calgary.
A decade ago, a 10-year-old Watts cheered on the Canadian women’s team in Vancouver, fueling her aspiration for Olympic gold. Now, she stands on the brink of crafting her own Olympic narrative.
Canadian captain Marie-Philip Poulin expressed her delight at Watts’ inclusion in the centralization camp, recalling Watts’ fervor as a fan during the 2010 Olympics.
Highlighting Watts’ talent and growth, Poulin commended her evolution as a player and expressed confidence in her abilities on the ice.