When it comes to hockey, the goalie is often referred to as the anchor of the team, and for Sandra Abstreiter, that role is more than just a position on the ice—it’s a mantle of leadership and a bridge between two worlds. As the only member of the German national team competing in the newly formed Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) with the Ottawa team, Abstreiter is not only carving out a place for herself, she is also blazing a trail for her teammates back home as well as for women and girls everywhere.

Sandra Abstreiter: Bridging Worlds Between PWHL Ottawa and Team Germany

Growing up in a small town near Freising, Germany, Sandra’s journey to the forefront of women’s hockey began with a simple invitation to try out for the local team. From those humble beginnings, she discovered a deep passion for the game—a passion that would carry her across continents and into the hearts of fans around the world.

Hear all about how she started out and what it was like to be named the best goalie at the 2024 Women’s World Hockey Championship – and everything in between here in our feature interview with Sandra.

 

In every game, Sandra Abstreiter is relentlessly refining her craft and broadening her comprehension of the goaltender’s role—not solely for her team’s benefit, but for the broader landscape of the sport. Now, positioned as the sole representative of the German national team in the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) alongside the Ottawa team, Sandra finds herself at a pivotal juncture in the sport: Her endeavors extend beyond personal achievements; they serve as catalysts for transformative shifts within the realm of women’s hockey. Sandra’s presence not only catalyzes progress but also fosters unity, seamlessly connecting the hockey communities of Canada and Germany through a shared passion for the game.

Join us in celebrating Sandra’s journey and the power of women’s hockey by sharing her story with friends and family, and by supporting your local women’s sports teams.

Photos by Ellen Bond & Picture Alliance.


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  • Meet MP Tobias Bacherle from Germany! On Canada Day, the SoGerman team had the chance to interview MdB Tobias Bacherle. He is a newly elected member of the German Bundestag for Bündnis 90/The Greens since September 2021. As Member of Parliament, he is the Coordinator of the Committee on Digital Affairs, Member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and Deputy Member of the Committee on European Union Affairs. In addition, he is a deputy member in the subcommittee on the United Nations, international organizations and civilian crisis prevention. On his trip to North America, Mr. Bacherle visited Washington and Ottawa and held lively discussions on EU and Canadian foreign policy, cybersecurity, disinformation, digitalization and economic security. Have a listen to the podcast episode to find out more about the main impressions of his visit and about his work as a parliamentarian.   http://sogerman.ca/media/Interview-Tobias-Bacherle_edit_mb.mp3