Since discovering hockey at an early age, Abbey Cowan has worked hard to build a successful career on the ice. Her dedication recently paid off with a scholarship to play for the Davenport University women’s hockey program while continuing her academic studies.
Cowan, who has also enjoyed other sports including rugby and acting, described growing up in Brantford and her start in hockey and the community around the sport.
“When I was about four-years-old, I discovered all these medals my dad had won for hockey in a box. I was so intrigued by them, which started my interest in hockey. I found out that my uncle [who has since passed] also played hockey…. playing for the Ayr Centennials. With such a great background in hockey that my family had, I wanted to try it. At first, my dad was on the fence about me playing, as was my mom. But my dad eventually bought my first pair of hockey skates and would go on to start playing for my home team when I was around six years old,” the hockey star noted. “Hockey was one of the best things that ever happened to me. The feeling of stepping onto the ice is truly amazing. It was a little tough at the beginning, as I didn’t play too well. Despite my initial struggles, I worked very hard and developed wonderful friendships with my teammates who treated me so well, instantly giving me a sense of community. I especially gravitated towards hockey because I had trouble making friends at school, particularly due to my struggles with dyslexia. Being able to connect with people outside of school who understood me and bonded over our love for the game was incredible.”
Cowan played for the Brantford Ice Cats girls’ team for close to five years and eventually moved to the Hamilton Hawks program.
“My teammates and coaches were all amazing. It was a great experience, but after some time there, I was looking for a change. I moved on to a team that wasn’t a good fit, and then to Hamilton when I was 13. I was coached by Jessica Langdon, who is one of my favorite coaches…she knew how I played and how my mind worked. One of my fondest memories was when she pulled me over, looked at me, and told me that I was going to score. We needed a goal, and the team was counting on me. I ended up scoring, and it was those types of moments where I knew she believed in my abilities. She really inspired me,” she recounted. “Her father, Steve Langdon, who also coached the team, was a big part of my growth as a player early on. I don’t know where I would be without their guidance and support. They were such great coaches, and their father-daughter dynamic was so inspiring, that I realized I would like to coach alongside my own dad someday when I’m older.”
She would then progress to U18 BB, building new ties with her teammates, including the team’s captain, and recalling a memorable moment.
“TJ [Pierce] taught me so much. I was only 15, and these girls are about 18 and 19 years old. She took me under her wing. And by the second year, I wore the ‘A’ on my jersey. I learned a lot from her and my teammates during that time and have remained friends with many of them to this day,” she noted. “I remember one of the best memories in hockey happened when I was on that team. We went to the Pittsburgh tournament [and] we ended up winning. We were the superior team there to a point that we couldn’t continue playing competitively…we actually ended up playing pass around with another team, because we beat them by so much and we didn’t want to keep scoring. We ended up just playing a scrimmage, joking around, and having a good time with the US team. It’s a memory I will always cherish.”
Nevertheless, Cowan would try out and make it for the U22 Ancaster Avalanche team, which she is currently on.
“A good friend of mine, Chloe Byrnes, and I wanted to continue to play as we weren’t finished yet. We had already played for three years together, and I, being in Brantford and she being in Burlington, looked at a location we could meet halfway…and we decided on Ancaster. When we tried out for the team, I remember I had a foot injury and was struggling to skate, but I continued as best I could. Despite this challenge for me, Mark [Stroud], the coach, knew what I could bring to the team. My friend and I would end up making the cut, and we have played with them ever since. It was definitely a step up with the level of skill and competition,” she explained.
While Cowan has enjoyed playing hockey, she also pursued another passion, which included acting, at an early age.
“I ended up cutting my hair for my papa, who unfortunately had cancer at the time, and then when I shaved my head, I got scouted for a Dove commercial. That’s when my acting career took off. I would be in that commercial with Kelly Roland [of Destiny’s Child], which led to being in a music video with her. I would get an agent…and do some background work. And then I ended up landing a main character in a short film called Rocket Fuel in 2022, which was a totally different experience. But when the pandemic hit, everything shut down. I was a bit bored and decided to dabble in theatre,” the Brantford native stated. “I remember going to my first audition for the Penny and Pound theatre in Cambridge [and] they were putting on a production of Grease. I went for the role of Frenchie, and had never done this type of audition before…doing singing and monologuing. I ended up getting the part, sparking my love of theatre ever since.”
Although she has been passionate about performing on the stage, acting has also given Cowan a big boost when it comes to her everyday life.
“I’ve learned to be confident. I was a pretty shy kid [and] I had a lot of self-doubt. But I’ve learned so much from those people around me in theatre…they really helped me to be comfortable in my skin. I found that these people didn’t care if I was a bit different or had different interests like playing sports, they accepted me for who I am….they taught me that being a little weird is okay. I remember that ‘weird’ was such a bad word in elementary and middle school…you didn’t want to be different. They have been so accepting…which has helped me be myself not only there, but every day out in the world,” she noted.
Another important aspect that Cowan, who attended Assumption College, has learned is how to balance both theatre and hockey as well as school work and other activities.
“There were a lot of late nights and early mornings. There were times I didn’t want to get out of bed because I was so tired, but I just got up. I also played rugby in high school, and did a bit of boxing and photography along with academics…so, it wasn’t just acting and hockey. I have always loved being busy [but] there were times that I didn’t want to go to the shooting clinic…When I had those thoughts, I pushed myself. It was about getting better for myself and for my team. My parents were also a big motivation to work hard [because] they always believed in me, and have been so kind and caring…helping me get to the rinks, booking hotel rooms for out-of-town events…they knew I loved hockey and supported me all the way,” she said. “When it came to theatre, I would have to skip rehearsals for hockey practice, obviously, but I always made up for it. I became really good at multitasking in the change room—practicing my lines, working on homework, and even editing photos on the bench while waiting for the Zamboni. I’d often ask for the arena’s Wi-Fi just to connect my computer and submit assignments. Despite struggling with dyslexia, I put in an enormous amount of effort in school. That dedication paid off, allowing me to achieve the Honor Roll and win a Lions Award.”
While Cowan maintained hockey as her number one sport, she also enjoyed several others and noted the people she had met.
“Rugby, honestly, was an important outlet for me [and] the girls in the high school were fun and some of the most honest and kindest people I have met. They were very helpful, especially because I came into the sport late, around grade 11, which the team was already kind of developing over a few years. They were so supportive, and they showed me the position, how to throw a ball, and how to handle myself out there,” she said. “And as for boxing, if it wasn’t for Darryl [Paquette], I wouldn’t have made it through the pandemic. I am very active…so, boxing has been another important outlet for me. It kept me healthy [and] kept me moving. I struggled a lot through that time with some mental illness, and Daryl really helped me push through that…he’s been one of the best coaches. He always believed in me.”
However, Cowan received a message through Instagram, out of the blue, that would change her life.
“When Blake [Hackbarth], who is the women’s hockey coach at Davenport University, reached out to me to tell me he wanted me to be part of the team, I couldn’t believe it. I just never thought I was going to go further than U22. I’ve had coaches and teammates in the past who have doubted me because I wanted to keep going with hockey. When I was younger, there was no PWHL (Professional Women’s Hockey League), so there was no reason to pursue hockey after high school, as options were very limited. I grew up in an era where once you hit 18, you were done. You could play U22 if you wanted to, like I did, but that was it,” she stated.
Nevertheless, the multi-talented athlete has been humbled by the opportunity to continue her dream of playing hockey for the Davenport University Panthers.
“When Blake reached out…both my parents were very proud of me, yet they shared the same feeling as I did, that this opportunity didn’t feel real. Blake invited me down to Michigan to check out the school, talk about hockey and scholarships, making us feel it was something that was going to happen. As he showed us around the school, the dressing room and training area…it was mind-blowing because just a few years prior, I didn’t think it would be possible for me to continue my hockey career with a chance to perhaps play professionally. [Despite this] I thought there was some catch, somewhere…and there wasn’t, and when Blake told me that I had a spot on the team, it was an unreal experience and an incredible feeling,” she said. “I’m excited to join a team that is in a rebuilding phase under a coach who recently took over. He’s actively hand-picking the players he wants for the program, and I’m very happy to get the chance to continue playing hockey while pursuing my college education.”
As Cowan has continued to flourish on the ice and on the stage, she has remained focused on her long-term goals, including helping people.
“A major goal for me is to play in the PWHL; I know it will be tough, but I’m absolutely willing to work for that opportunity. I definitely want to continue acting as well. I love community theater, performing for friends and family, and supporting the arts. I am also dedicated to getting young people interested in plays and community productions, showing how much they can benefit from it like I have,” she said. “For my long-term goal, I plan to use my degree in Psychology to help people. Helping others is something that runs in my family; my mom is a teacher, and my dad helps the elderly as a handyman. I want to continue that legacy, whether by helping people communicate and figure out how to improve their lives, or simply by helping them feel more comfortable in their own skin. I received that help when I needed it, and I want to pay that forward too.”
