WHKY: Grace Elliott repeats as Canada West Player of the Year

March 5, 2026 - After another historic campaign that saw her obliterate the UBC program record book, forward Grace Elliott has repeated as Canada West Women's Hockey Player of the Year.

The fifth-year product of White Rock, B.C. was the offensive engine behind a historic season from the nationally No. 1-ranked T-Birds. Elliott scored a career-high 24 goals and topped the conference with 37 points in 28 games, leading UBC to a Canada West record 26 wins in the regular season.

By the end of the regular season, she had a firm hold on multiple Thunderbird program records, including career goals, points, plus/minus, and shots on goal. She also set a new conference record with 25 career game-winning goals, including 12 this season alone - far surpassing the previous Canada West single-season record of seven set by Hayley Wickenheiser in 2011-12. ​

Elliott becomes the first back-to-back Player of the Year recipient since Calgary’s Iya Gavrilova accomplished the feat in 2015 and 2016.

The conference has unveiled its full list of 2025-26 women's hockey major award winners, including:

UBC was recognized for having the best team goals against average, surrendering just 24 goals against in 28 contests.

The season comes to a thrilling conclusion this weekend, as Elliott and the Thunderbirds host the Manitoba Bisons in the Canada West Final. The best-of-three series begins Friday night in Vancouver. Read the championship preview here.

Fans can catch all the action on Canada West TV - Powered by BioSteel.

Recaps and game highlights from every playoff game are available at WinTheWest.ca.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR and TOP SCORER: Grace Elliott, UBC Thunderbirds

Forward | Fifth Year | Hometown: White Rock, B.C.

When it comes to UBC Women’s Hockey, Grace Elliott is simply the GOAT. Named Canada West Player of the Year for the second straight season, the fifth-year forward from White Rock, B.C. becomes the first back-to-back winner since Calgary’s Iya Gavrilova in 2015 and 2016. Leading the conference in goals with 24 and points with 37, Elliott finished her outstanding Canada West career with 132 regular season points while setting a new conference record with 25 career game winning goals.

12 of her 24 goals this season served as game winners, obliterating the previous Canada West record of seven set by Hayley Wickenheiser.

Elliott’s hold of the Thunderbirds’ program record book likely won’t be shaken any time soon as she now boasts the all-time UBC high water mark in career goals, points, plus/minus, and shots on goal.

Winning the conference scoring race by a five-point margin over her linemate, Annalise Wong, Elliott’s back-to-back point titles makes it three straight years a Thunderbird has claimed top spot and four times in the last five seasons.

“She’s going to go down as being the GOAT at UBC. It’s all well deserved and we’re really proud of her. She’s so humble. The first thing when you talk to her, she will talk about her linemates and teammates and giving credit to the people who have helped her along the way. Everyone she has worked with, she’s just like a sponge, she always wants to take away everything she can and get better. It’s been amazing to watch her grow as a person, as a leader. But at the end of the day, she’s a competitor, she wants to win and she’s happy if she doesn’t get a goal in a game as long as we win. We have a lot to accomplish here in the playoffs in the next few weeks but it’s also going to be fun to watch her go on to compete professionally in the future. It’ll be exciting to follow her journey. She’s amazing.” – UBC Thunderbirds Head Coach Graham Thomas

GOALTENDER OF THE YEAR: Amelia Awad, Calgary Dinos

Goalie | Fourth Year | Hometown: Halifax, N.S.

It was an incredible season in net for Awad. One year after being thrust into the everyday starter for the Dinos, Awad thrived this year. She made 16 starts and allowed one goal or less each of the first six games to start the season and nine times overall.

The Halifax product finished with an impressive 12-3-1 record with a 1.87 goals-against average. She also finished the regular season with a .940 save percentage - third best in the conference and in the top-10 in all of U SPORTS.

“‘Meals’ was unbelievable for us this season. She showed up in camp with the attitude that her back was against the wall, and she flourished. As a staff, we are proud of what she has done; being named the top goalie is a great honour and something she should be very proud of. ​ She proved a lot this season. She had one goal coming into camp and did the work. It is great to see focus and details pay off. I hope she enjoys this recognition and uses it as fuel for next season.” - Calgary Dinos Head Coach Josh Gosling

TOP DEFENCEMAN: Jaylyn Morris, UBC Thunderbirds ​

Defence | Third Year | Hometown: Maple Ridge, B.C.

Setting new career highs in goals with nine, assists with 13, and points with 22, third-year Jaylyn Morris repeats as Canada West's Top Defenceman.

No stranger to the conference honour roll, the Maple Ridge, B.C. product was named the conference’s Rookie of the Year in 2023-24 and has now earned back-to-back first team All-Star selections. Morris’ 22 points was seven clear of the second highest scoring defender in the conference this season and good for fourth among all Canada West skaters. Morris’ plus-20 rating tied her with teammate Presley Zinger for tops among all blue liners.

“She’s had a lot of pressure placed on her, she’s an alternate captain now, but despite so many new things put on her plate she’s managed to meet all of them head on. She’s coachable, she works hard, does all the little things right and has really expanded her role which is exactly what our team needed this year. She has logged huge minutes on special teams and five-on-five. Whether we need her to play a shutdown role or go create offence, her versatility has been absolutely key for us. I’m super proud of her.” – UBC Thunderbirds Head Coach Graham Thomas

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Isa MacPhee, Mount Royal Cougars

Defence | First Year | Hometown: Kingsboro, P.E.I.

Over the course of her rookie campaign, Isa MacPhee quickly established herself as a foundational piece of the Mount Royal defensive corps. Her three goals and 11 points were tied for the highest total among Canada West rookie defencemen, while also ranking second among all Cougars blueliners - trailing only CW First Team All-Star Summer Fomradas.

Trusted with significant minutes throughout the season, MacPhee displayed composure and decision-making well beyond her first-year status. The Arts student from Kingsboro, P.E.I., combines offensive instincts with steady defensive play, positioning herself as a key fixture on the Cougars’ blue line for years to come.

COACH OF THE YEAR: Graham Thomas, UBC Thunderbirds

Leading the UBC Thunderbirds to a record-breaking regular season with 26 wins and 52 points, Graham Thomas has been honoured with the second Canada West Coach of the Year of his career. Last winning in 2012-13, his first season at the helm, Thomas has continually produced one of the most pre-eminent programs in U SPORTS Women’s Hockey.

This season saw the Thunderbirds finish first in conference wins, points, goals (85) goals against (24), power play (19.5%) and penalty kill (92.8%). UBC has lost just 13 of 112 regular season games over the past four seasons and have advanced to a fifth straight conference series after sweeping the Trinity Western Spartans in last weekend’s semifinal.

The native of Calgary has amassed 254 career regular season wins, now fourth all-time in Canada West history.

Over the course of his previous 13 seasons with the T-Birds, Graham has won six Canada West championships along with a U SPORTS silver and two national bronze medals.

“Since he arrived at UBC, Graham has transformed Thunderbirds women’s hockey into one of Canada’s premiere programs. It’s not by mistake he has put together an elite on-ice product that has set the standard for what Thunderbirds’ excellence is all about. Aside from his team’s accomplishments, Graham continues to guide his athletes to become their best selves and has helped set them up for success well beyond their time at UBC. Graham continues to be a true leader in growing women’s hockey, actively working to open up new possibilities far beyond our local community. We’re so proud of what Graham has built and this award is a testament to all that he has accomplished with much more success still to come. Go T-Birds!” - UBC Athletic Director Kavie Toor

STUDENT-ATHLETE COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD: Tessa Stewart, Regina Cougars

Forward | Third Year | Hometown: Warren, Man.

Tessa Stewart has made a profound impact as a leader in the community through sustained service, initiative and a genuine commitment to giving back. A driving force behind numerous team outreach efforts, she became a Hockey Gives Blood ambassador this season and organized her program’s first-ever team blood drive in Regina, turning it into a friendly competition with a conference rival. Stewart also created and led her team’s Breast Cancer Awareness Game, coordinating with the Canadian Cancer Society and helping raise more than $500 in donations, while also personally picking up pink tape for her teammates to express their support during the game.

Her impact extends deeply into youth sport and mentorship. Stewart serves as a Big Sister with Big Brothers and Sisters of Regina, volunteering regularly with children who benefit from positive role models. She is also a KidSport Regina ambassador and dedicates countless hours to coaching, including assistant coaching a U13 spring team, instructing at specialty day camps, and running weekly beginner skills sessions with the Lakeview Community Association from October through March. She actively participates in Female Hockey Day events, minor hockey mentorship programs and numerous team-led community initiatives, consistently representing her program with integrity and enthusiasm.

In addition to her extensive volunteer work, Stewart continues to excel both on the ice and in the classroom. She played in all 28 regular season games for the Cougars, contributing five goals and three assists, including a power-play goal, a shorthanded marker and a game-winner, while registering more than 60 shots. Academically, she is on track to secure U SPORTS Academic All-Canadian honours for a second consecutive season.

SPORTSMANSHIP AND ATHLETIC ABILITY: Abby Soyko, Alberta Pandas

Forward | Fourth Year | Hometown: Prince Albert, Sask.

Fourth-year Panda Abby Soyko has been named this year’s recipient of the Canada West Sportsmanship and Ability Award, a testament to both her exceptional skill and the integrity she brings to the game every day.

A dynamic offensive presence, Soyko led the Pandas with nine goals and 10 assists for 19 points this season. She also added 70 shots and a +9 rating playing in all situations for the Pandas. Across four seasons, Soyko has recorded 34 goals and 64 points, and 11 points in 17 career CW post-season games. What truly sets her apart, however, is the way she competes. Despite playing significant minutes, she finished the season with just 12 penalty minutes, a reflection of her discipline, respect for opponents, and commitment to fair play.

"Abby can best be described as an honourable warrior. She competes not for herself but for her team. In so doing, she has performed some truly heroic feats throughout her career, scoring timely goals or blocking a shot when her team most needs it. She plays the game with honour, always demonstrating respect for her opponent, officials, teammates and, perhaps most importantly, for the game itself.” - Alberta Pandas Head Coach Howie Draper