University of Toronto Varsity Blues women's hockey alumni Scout Watkins-Southward has signed a professional contract with Almtuna IS of HockeyAllsvenskan, Sweden's second highest tier of women's hockey.
 
"(A) dream come true to join Almtuna after six years of Canadian university hockey," Watkins-Southward said on Instagram. "Excited to bring my energy and passion to Sweden – can't wait to get started!"
 
Watkins-Southward is the second Blue to sign a professional contract in Sweden in 2025. Longtime Blues standout goalie Erica Fryer signed a contract with SDE of the Swedish Women's Hockey League in January.
 
The 2025 medicine graduate played one season for the Blue and White, appearing in 19 games between the regular season and playoffs scoring 11 points. As a Blue, she lifted the McCaw Cup for the first time in 2025, helping lead Toronto to their 20th provincial championship in program history and helped the Blues capture a bronze medal at the 2025 U SPORTS women's hockey championship.
 
A versatile forward who played centre and on the wing, Watkins-Southward's speed and skill was on display throughout her OUA career. The medical graduate was a clutch performer for the Blues in the playoffs with five goals in eight games, including the game-winning goal against UNB in the U SPORTS quarter-finals.
 
"Scout's drive, leadership, and passion for the game sets her apart from most," said Vicky Sunohara, the head coach of the Varsity Blues women's hockey team.
 
"During her short time at the University of Toronto, she had a profound impact on our team and has left our Varsity Blues Women's Hockey Program in a better place. She is a great teammate and fierce competitor on and off the ice, she makes everyone around her better. Scout will undoubtedly have a positive impact with Almtuna. They are fortunate to have her."
 
Internationally, Watkins-Southward has represented Canada twice at the FISU Winter Universade. In 2023, she won a gold medal in Lake Placid, New York. In 2025 she was named Team Canada's captain, helping Canada earn a silver medal with four points in five games in Turin, Italy.
 
Prior to joining the Blues, the Kingston, Ont., native played four seasons for the Queen's Gaels. In 91 games as a Gael between the regular season and playoffs she scored a career high nine goals and 15 points in 23 games during the 2022-23 season. During the 2024 OUA playoffs, she scored three points in three games in Queen's quarter-final series against the Blues.
 
Almtuna IF are a professional women's hockey club currently playing in HockeyAllsvenskan, Sweden's second highest tier of women's hockey.