Every year, a group of NCAA players transfer North of the border to join U Sports hockey. Some of the top players in U Sports hockey have made this transition. Last season that group included players like Leah Herrfort, Alexandra-Anne Boyer, and Kasundra Betinol.
Next year, a new wave of NCAA players will jump to the Canadian university system to play.
Waterloo Loading Up With NCAA Talent
Waterloo hosted the 2025 U Sports national championships, which were eventually won for the first time ever by Bishop's University. On their roster was former NCAA standout Leah Herrfort. Next season, Waterloo leads the way with NCAA transfers bringing in three. Waterloo will bring in transfers Sarah Hirst and Ashlyn Kroes from Merrimack and Katina Duscio from St. Lawrence. Duscio is a three-year veteran of St. Lawrence. She was among St. Lawrence's time on ice leaders playing a top four role on their blueline. She's a Kitchener product moving home. Kroes will also join Waterloo's blueline after appearing in 31 games last season, her third in the NCAA, with Merrimack. Hirst is the only addition up front for Waterloo.
Offensive Threats Incoming
Sam Morrison hit double digits in her first two seasons as a forward with Maine. The Cape Breton product should be an immediate boost to St. Francis Xavier where she'll play next season. Staying out east, the University of New Brunswick will add Mya Headrick who spent the last three seasons playing for Bemidji State. Moving to Ontario, Toronto Metropolitan University will add Saint Michael's forward Alizee Leblanc.
Heading out West, the University of Regina is adding one of the better transfers in the cohort in 5-foot-11 blueliner Quinn McLaren. McLaren, a blueliner, spent the last three seasons with Lindenwood including scoring 10 goals in 2023-24.
Stoppers Coming To Canada
A pair of goaltenders are also among the transfers heading to Canada this year. After appearing in 11 games over the last three seasons, Brown goalie Megane Pilon is heading back to her home province with McGill University. She played for Stanstead prior to joining the NCAA. The final NCAA to U Sports transfer this season is Ella Willoughby who heads from St. Lawrence to the University of Windsor. The London, Ontario product only appeared in two games, both in relief, as an NCAA rookie with St. Lawrence last season.