Prior to joining the Canadian National women's team for the 1992 Women's World ice hockey championships, Nystrom participated in the Central Ontario Women's Hockey League. Nystrom competed for the Scarborough Firefighters (1985 to 1991) and the Toronto Redwings. Prior to the 1998 Olympics, Nystrom also played hockey for the Northeastern Huskies women's ice hockey program. She would play with the Brampton Thunder from 1997 to 2003. During the 2000–01 NWHL season, Nystrom played with the Brampton Thunder and finished fourth in league scoring with 48 points.