Women's Hockey | 6/30/2025 10:00:00 AM
York University Lions women's hockey player Natasha Lange is trading in her skates for shoes once again this summer.
The Caledon, Ont., native, who is coming off her first OUA season, will be representing her country on the world stage at the 2025 International Street & Ball Hockey Federation (ISBHF) U20 Women's World Championships in Poprad, Slovakia.
Lange, who netted four goals in her rookie campaign at York to go along with a pair of assists, is no stranger to the sport of ball hockey. She began playing the sport in elementary school when her Dad launched a local ball hockey league in Caledon which went on to compete at a provincial championship. She has served as an assistant captain of two national teams while also winning a national bronze medal in 2023 and a provincial gold in 2024.
Lange's path to this moment was paved after playing at a national championship in Edmonton last summer, where scouts began taking notice of her. As she told the Orangeville Citizen earlier this year, the 20-year-old was with her Mom at Costco when she received an email from Canadian General Manager Tyler Moore asking her if she was interested in playing for the U20 team in Poprad. She was "ecstatic," and, "jumping for joy," in the middle of the shopping centre, she explained.
Lange says getting the opportunity to play for her country is a dream come true – literally.
Representing our country is truly an honour. Wearing the leaf is more than playing the sport that I love, it's about representing our nation, it's about representing my teammates, my community, and showing every young girl watching who dreams to be here one day too, can do it," she said. "When I was a little girl, I dreamt about being here one day to represent my country and thought that it was almost impossible, but to know that it's not means that you can do it too. There's a deep sense of pride and responsibility that comes along with being part of Team Canada and I am incredibly grateful to be here and be part of it all."
The soon-to-be sophomore forward says getting to play with and against the top players in the world can only help as she prepares for her second season as a Lion.
"I am surrounded with the best ball hockey players across the globe, which pushes me to elevate every part of my game physically, mentally, and tactically," she said. "I will take these experiences and that intensity back with me into the next season with me to the Lions. Whether it's improved communication, leadership on and off the floor, the pride to push yourself to higher levels, and the joy of having fun with your teammates. I want to bring everything I've learned back to help the Lions grow and compete at a higher level.
"I know that every Lion is capable of doing it together and more than deserving of it. This world championship is more than just one moment; it's an opportunity to evolve as a player and a teammate."
Lange and Team Canada begins play Wednesday morning against Czechia. The full tournament schedule can be found here.
