Oct. 7, 2026 – The puck is ready to drop on a new season of Canada West women’s hockey, and if the annual coaches poll is any indication, it’s going to be a wide-open race for the Catherwood Cup.

The UBC Thunderbirds enter as defending conference champions, but it’s the Mount Royal Cougars who have roared to the top of the annual Canada West coaches poll. MRU claimed top spot with 67 points and four first-place votes, followed by the T-Birds with 61 points and three first-place nods. The Manitoba Bisons, fresh off their first nationals appearance since 2019, finished just one point behind the Thunderbirds while collecting the remaining two first-place votes.

Calgary placed fourth with 49 points, narrowly ahead of Saskatchewan with 48. Alberta, Trinity Western, Regina and MacEwan rounded out the poll.

The regular season begins Friday with a full slate of four games.

Cougars, T-Birds top the poll

Mount Royal enters with plenty to build on after a 19-7-2 campaign that saw the Cougars finish atop their division and rank second in Canada West in both offence and defence.

A playoff exit against Manitoba in the semifinals left the Cougars wanting more. Now, head coach Scott Rivett’s group will look to blend seven first-year players with a returning core anchored by fourth-year defender Summer Fomradas, a Canada West First Team All-Star who recorded 15 points last season.

“After graduating some significant contributors last season there are lots of opportunities for players this season,” says Rivett. “All have demonstrated the ability to contribute early on, but the key for our group will be for them to do it on a consistent basis.”

Meanwhile, it’ll be new faces but similar expectations for a new-look UBC Thunderbirds group. The defending conference champions will have a decidedly different composition after graduating 12 players from a team that posted a remarkable 26-2 regular season record.

With 14 newcomers, the Thunderbirds will lean on returning veterans and a mix of freshmen and experienced transfers to keep the program among the conference’s elite. Third-year forward Vanessa Schaefer, UBC’s leading returning scorer, will be a key offensive presence.

“Although we experienced significant turnover within our program, we have an exciting young group that is hungry, competitive, and eager to establish its identity,” says UBC head coach Graham Thomas.

“The league is more competitive than it has ever been, and we know we need to bring a high level of intensity and consistency every night. Our group is excited and looking forward to the challenge.”

Challengers to watch

After reaching nationals last season, Manitoba enters with growing confidence under second-year head coach Jordan Colliton and will be led by fifth year forward Dana Goertzen.

“Our team got a taste of what it was like to be at nationals and we have a highly motivated group,” says Colliton.

Calgary also has experience on its side, returning 17 players from a team that went 16-12 and reached the postseason. Fourth-year forward Sydney Mercier, who scored 12 goals last season, will help lead the Dinos’ push for a deeper playoff run.

Saskatchewan is looking to return to the postseason after narrowly missing out last spring. Fifth-year forward Jayde Cadieux leads a group supported by an experienced defence and veteran goaltending tandem.

Alberta opens a new chapter under interim head coach Leah Copeland, with seven fifth-year players and three returning goaltenders providing stability as the Pandas welcome 10 newcomers amidst a temporary move to Silent Ice Center in Nisku, due to renovations ongoing at Clare Drake Arena.

Trinity Western will aim to build on last season’s semifinal appearance, leaning on senior leaders Kara Yackel and Presleigh Giesbrecht to guide what will be a younger roster.

Regina hopes to climb the standings behind returning offensive leader Pippy Pritchard and goaltender Amy Swayze, who earned Canada West All-Rookie Team honours last season. At MacEwan, interim head coach Izzy Cropper takes over a young group seeking its first Canada West playoff berth, with standout netminder Taya Currie anchoring the Griffins’ efforts.

2026-27 Division Breakdown

The conference’s Alberta based teams will comprise the East Division this season, featuring Alberta, MacEwan, Calgary and Mount Royal. The West Division will consist of UBC, Trinity Western, Saskatchewan, Regina and Manitoba.

The regular season begins Oct. 9 and runs through Feb. 20. The top three teams in each division will qualify for the postseason, with the Canada West Final scheduled to begin March 12.

The 2027 U SPORTS national championships will be hosted by UNB in Fredericton, N.B. from March 25 to 28.

2026-27 CW WHKY PRE-SEASON COACHES POLL

Team – Points (First-place votes)