Canada Names First Three Members Of National Team For FISU Winter Games

U SPORTS named the first three members of Canada's women's national team for the 2027 FISU Winter Games in Changchun, China. The Games are slated to run from January 15-25. Canada's national team will consist entirely of U SPORTS athletes for the Universaide.

Canada's first three named to the roster include forwards Gabrielle Santerre of Bishop’s, and Émilie Lussier of Concordia, as well as defender Abigail MacKenzie of Saint Mary’s.

“We are extremely excited to welcome these three players back to represent Canada at the 2027 FISU Winter Games. We are looking forward to building off their experience and heartbreak from the last FISU Games. Their experience, leadership, and passion will be invaluable as we build a team focused on competing for a gold medal in China,” said Canadian women’s head coach Josh Gosling, who also leads the Calgary Dinos women’s team.

Santerre was the 2024 Broderick Trophy winner as U SPORTS Player of the Year, and was also U SPORTS Rookie of the Year that season. In 2025 she led Bishop's University to their first national title in 2025, earning U SPORTS national championship tournament MVP honors in the process. This will be Santerre's second Universaide scoring four points in five games winning silver with Canada in 2025.

Émilie Lussier, a former member of Canada's U-18 national team, is a three-time All-Canadian and was the 2025 RSEQ Player of the Year. The Concordia University veteran is also returning for her second Universaide having scored 10 points in five games for Canada.

On the back end, Abigail MacKenzie, was a First Team All-Canadian last season for Saint Mary's leading all U SPORTS defenders in scoring with 23 points. She also played in Italy in 2025 for Canada recording four assists, and posting an impressive +16 rating in five games.