WHKY: UBC favoured in bid for CW three-peat

Sept. 27, 2023 – A new Canada West women’s hockey season begins Friday night with no shortage of intriguing storylines.

UBC has once again topped the pre-season coaches poll coming off their second consecutive CW championship last year. Defending national champion Mount Royal University were ranked second in the poll, one point ahead of third place Alberta.

The road to the CW crown still runs through Vancouver as the T-Birds return a dynamic offence, led by fourth-year forward Chanreet Bassi, who was second in conference scoring with 28 points last season.

Meanwhile, MRU will hang a banner in their home opener after an incredible national championship win last March. The Cougars fell to the T-Birds in a tight CW final last season, but went on a magical run as the eighth seed at nationals to claim the first U SPORTS championship in their school history.

Cougars head coach Scott Rivett will count on fourth year goaltender Kaitlyn Ross to provide another season of big stops, as she returns after posting a .935 save percentage and a 22-11 record last season.

Another storyline to watch is how two storied programs will fare with new coaches at the helm, after it was recently announced that Alberta's Howie Draper and Calgary's Carla MacLeod accepted head coaching positions with the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL).

The regular season runs through Feb. 10, with the Canada West Final scheduled to begin March 1.

All eyes will then turn to Saskatoon from March 14-17, 2024, as the University of Saskatchewan prepares to host the U SPORTS national championship. A veteran Huskies squad, who ranked fourth in the pre-season coaches poll, will look to defend home ice and make a run of their own at the event.

For the complete Canada West women’s hockey schedule, click here.

For a full team by team preview, click here. ​

2023-24 CW WHKY PRE-SEASON COACHES POLL 

Team - Points (First-place votes)

WOMEN'S HOCKEY ON CANADA WEST TV

Fans can catch all the action through the new look CanadaWest.TV, which now allows fans to watch games on popular Connected TV apps like Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Android TV.