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By: Rufina Abdurusul

For Emily Baxter, being an athlete was never limited to one environment. From competing in hockey at the U Sports and international levels to representing Team Canada in baseball, Baxter has built a versatile athletic career. While balancing high-level competition and professional opportunities, she continues to pursue her passion for both sports.

Reflecting on her journey, Baxter described the opportunity to compete in both sports as a childhood dream:

“It’s been a dream, something I’ve wanted to achieve my whole life and didn’t really think was possible. But with the progression of women’s sports and the opportunities that have opened for me, I am finally able to live out my childhood dream. It has been a lot of hard work and not been easy, but it’s been really rewarding getting the opportunity to play both sports I love professionally and on the national team in baseball.”

Originally from Oakville, Ontario, Baxter currently plays forward for the Hungarian club MAC Budapest in the European Women’s Hockey League, wearing number twenty-one. During her most recent completed season (2025-26), she recorded 11 goals and 14 assists for 25 points in 21 games, averaging 1.19 points per game. Her offensive abilities helped make her the team’s leading scorer and an important playmaker.

          (Courtesy: TMU Athletics)

She has also found success off the ice and in the classroom. While completing her studies at Toronto Metropolitan University, Baxter continued to excel both academically and athletically. She graduated from TMU with an Honours Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences in 2023 and a Master of Engineering in Biomedical Engineering in 2025. Her academic achievements have been recognized through the Claude LaJeunesse Award, which is presented to the Rams student-athlete with the highest GPA. Baxter received the award in consecutive seasons, demonstrating that her commitment to education has remained strong throughout her athletic career. Being named Team MVP was also nothing new for the former Rams captain, who holds the program record for most single-season points and fourth-most career goals in program history.

Competing at such a high level in two sports while pursuing graduate studies takes discipline and a strong sense of balance. 

“It has not been easy. There was a lot of time management involved and a lot of sacrifices that had to be made. Both athletics and academics were priorities for me, and I had high standards for myself in both areas. I had to learn how to manage games and practices around schoolwork, while also making time for my social life and for myself. A big part of it was being organized and intentional with my time and knowing when I needed to prioritize certain things. I wanted to take advantage of the opportunities I had in each area of my life without spreading myself too thin. It was definitely a challenge at times, but learning how to find that balance has helped me become more disciplined and better at managing my time.”

For Baxter, finding balance as a student-athlete meant navigating different environments, from the classroom and hockey rink to the baseball field. Her athletic career eventually led to her selection in the inaugural Women’s Professional Baseball League (WPBL) draft where she was selected to the Boston Hunters.

Baxter has represented Team Canada in baseball since 2023, including competing at the 2024 WBSC Women’s Baseball World Cup, where she helped the team earn a bronze medal. In 2026, she continued to contribute offensively, recording a .313 batting average. Her versatility has allowed her to contribute in multiple positions, including pitching, playing third base and competing in the outfield. Along with representing Canada internationally, Baxter has also represented Team Ontario in baseball, further highlighting her experience at different levels of the sport.

Balancing both sports has been a defining part of Baxter’s athletic journey. She reflected on where her interests may lean between the two sports.

“Honestly, at this point in time, I don’t feel like I’m leaning toward one sport over the other. They are both equal to me in passion, my desire to get better, and my love of the game. It’s the best of both worlds because the seasons are opposite of each other. When I’m in season for baseball, my focus is on baseball, and when I’m in season for hockey, my focus is hockey. At the same time, during the off-season of each sport, I am still focused on improving and getting better for that sport so that I’m ready for the next season.”

For Baxter, competing in both sports offers the opportunity to challenge herself. Rather than viewing her dual-sport career as a choice between two paths, she has found a way to make both an important part of her athletic identity.

Although athletics offers many rewarding moments, there are also sacrifices made behind the scenes, including impacts on mental health and missed social experiences. Baxter recognizes these challenges and reflects on how being a competitive student-athlete has shaped her social well-being and mental health.

“Maintaining an active schedule has definitely affected my social life. There have been many times when I’ve had to say, ‘Sorry, I can’t come, I have practice,’ and I have missed out on social events because of my athletic commitments. However, my friends have been really great about it and fully understand my passion and love for sports and the sacrifices that come with them. A lot of my social life is also within my sports, which has been helpful because I get to spend time with friends who understand the same commitments and sacrifices. It also makes practice and games even more enjoyable because I get to be with my friends while doing something we all love.”

Baxter also reflected on how sports have shaped her mental health.

“I also think staying active has been beneficial for my mental health. Being active gives me something to look forward to, helps me manage stress, and gives me an outlet. At the same time, I’ve learned that sports can sometimes take a toll on your mental health, especially when things aren’t going the way you want them to. That is something I’ve taken seriously and worked on by reminding myself that sports are an important part of my life, but they don’t define who I am. I think maintaining that perspective has helped me enjoy sports while also protecting my mental health.”

While sports provide Baxter with an outlet to unwind, she recognizes the importance of maintaining an identity beyond athletics. Looking ahead, Baxter also shared her future goals and where she hopes to see herself in both sports.

“My goals for the future are to continue growing and challenging myself in both sports. In hockey, I want to continue developing as a player, improve my skills and consistency, and work my way toward playing at higher levels and competing against stronger competition. In baseball, one of my biggest goals is to continue representing Canada and helping the national team grow and succeed. I would love to be part of the team that wins the World Cup next year. I would also love the opportunity to play in the WPBL and compete for a championship. Overall, I want to keep pushing myself, take advantage of the opportunities that come my way, and see how far I can go in both sports.”

For Emily Baxter, being a student-athlete meant learning to balance responsibilities, make sacrifices, and remain passionate about the game. As she continues to pursue her goals in both sports, she embodies what happens when passion meets dedication. Her journey is a reminder that athletes do not have to limit themselves to one path to achieve their dreams. As Baxter continues to push her limits and embrace new opportunities, we look forward to seeing what she accomplishes next and wish her continued success in both baseball and hockey.