LINDSAY EASTWOOD: CLIMBING THE RANKS
As seen in the Fall 2025 issue of the magazine
Growing up in Kanata, Ontario, Lindsay Eastwood dreamt of being a professional hockey player and following in the footsteps of her uncle, and long-time NHL veteran, Mike Eastwood.
As her game continuously evolved, from playing in Nepean to blossoming as a star defender with Syracuse University, Eastwood has achieved her goals and then some by climbing her way into the National Hockey League working with the Philadelphia Flyers.
I was fortunate enough to witness her part of her ascension to a professional hockey champion with the Toronto Six and her jump through Kitchener to Philadelphia while crossing paths in the NHL.
Eastwood took some time out of her busy daily scheduled to chat with me about her rising career, the goals she has set, the message she has for young women eyeing a role in hockey, and much more.
1. You started your journey in professional hockey after becoming the all-time goals leader among defenders at Syracuse. How did that college experience prepare you for your three seasons with the Toronto Six?
I think my time at Syracuse set me up both mentally and physically. The schedule was fairly similar with only playing back-to-back games against the same team on weekends so we would spend all week prepping for that upcoming opponent. The resources at Syracuse were endless, as we had our own gym we could use 24/7, and flexible ice-time. Not to mention nutritionists, physical therapists, cold tubs, and recovery tools all at our fingertips. I truly felt like a pro before I went pro.
Off the ice, it helped me because like being a student athlete and balancing playing a sport and academics, I had to hold down a full-time job for my first two seasons with the Six. So I was already prepared for the grind of putting in work 9-5 and practicing and training either before work or after.
2. Not only did you score the first goal in Six franchise history, but you were also a major part in the club winning the Isobel Cup in 2023. Describe what that was like, being a part of a championship team.
It was awesome! Winning is obviously such a blast at any level, but this one was special. We had made good pushes in the playoffs in the previous two seasons, but we had finally gotten it done this time around. Our group was so strong from top to bottom. So many of those gals are still playing and ripping it up in the PWHL.
Being part of women’s sports means you’re always contributing to something bigger than yourself, whether you’re playing or working in the game. That season, it really felt like we were helping move the sport forward – the salary cap was increasing, new sponsors were coming on board, and there was a growing sense of professionalism and recognition around the league. As one of the top teams in the league and playing in the hockey capital of the world, we felt a real responsibility to set the standard. That sense of community and shared purpose fueled us and gave us a lot of pride throughout the season.
I also now like to say that I retired as a champion!
3. Your uncle, Mike, played in almost 800 games in the NHL. How much influence did he have on you becoming a professional hockey player, too?
Growing up when I was real young, I had always dreamed of playing in the NHL like him. I got to see him a few times when I was young – any time he would play in Ottawa and once we went out to St. Louis. As I started to get a little older and colleges were showing interest in me, I would get his opinion on things. I remember asking him for advice before going to college about training camp and how to get ready and so on. He had been through it all, so I obviously always trusted his word.
4. During the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs, you were a correspondent for the Tampa Bay Times. We were two of a very few members of the media inside the Toronto bubble covering the games in person. What are some of your biggest takeaways from that?
That was such a cool experience for me. I was just a young, aspiring journalist at the time, trying to find my footing. I’ll never forget meeting you and Jackie Redmond – I was honestly pretty starstruck. Later on, bonding over surviving that five-overtime marathon between the Lightning and Blue Jackets was unforgettable.
I learned a lot about how reporters think while serving as the Tampa Bay Times’ eyes and ears in the building. It completely changed how I watched the game, though I’ll admit I was taking notes on Victor Hedman – he’s the player I’ve always tried to model my game after as I was still playing at this time.
5. What drove you to joining the OHL’s Kitchener Rangers as their Manager of Communications and Team Services and hanging up your skates?
I was planning to play during the 2023-24 season and was going to sort of use that season to figure out what was next for me – I was hoping to have a job lined up by the end of that season. However, with the uncertainty of women's hockey in the summer of 2023, I threw my name in a hat for the Kitchener Rangers job and ended up getting it. At that point it kind of felt like it was meant to be. I was ready to hang them up and start to elevate my career off the ice.
6. You are now in your second season as Manager of Hockey and Player Communications of the Philadelphia Flyers. How has this experience been like? What have been some of the biggest takeaways, so far?
Working for the Flyers has been a dream come true. Like I mentioned, I always dreamt of playing in the NHL, I got a little taste of playing pro, and now I feel like I have fulfilled that dream working in the NHL.
It’s been eye-opening to see everything that goes into running an NHL team, especially one with the kind of history and tradition the Flyers have. I’ve learned so much about how things operate behind the scenes, particularly on the communications side, and it’s given me an even greater appreciation for the game.
7. Ten years ago, did you ever expect to be a part of an NHL franchise and taking your off-ice game to the next level?
I always hoped I’d end up in a role like this, but I can’t say I ever expected it. I’m just really grateful that it worked out the way it did!
8. More and more women are entering the NHL in various roles, from inside communications to coaching to management. What is your message to young girls thriving to be part of the hockey community on or off the ice?
My message is to never stop trying and never stop believing in yourself. Put in the work, stay chasing your goals, and trust that your hard work will pay off. There’s no single path to success in this game, but if you stay true to who you are and trust the process, opportunities will come. Hockey needs passionate, hard-working people in every role, and there’s absolutely a place for you in it if you put the work in.
9. Have you been keeping tabs on the PWHL, and what have you noticed about their league's success as they start their third season?
Absolutely! In their inaugural season I went to a Toronto Scepters game and it was so cool to see everyone get behind these ladies and all they have worked for to get the recognition they deserve! It has been a long road for women in hockey, and I know they're not done yet changing the game for the better.
10. Do you have aspirations of entering into another area, perhaps within management, for an NHL or PWHL club?
I am always open minded when it comes to the future. I think becoming a General Manager in the NHL or PWHL is my ultimate goal in my career. No matter where my career takes me, I just want to keep sharing what I’ve learned in hockey and give back to the women’s game as I continue to grow and gain experience.