Last year, 35 U Sports players declared for the 2024 PWHL Draft. Unlike the NCAA, U Sports players are eligible to declare and still return to their university programs for another season.
This year, a trio of U Sports graduates have already made their PWHL debut with Concordia grad Emmy Fecteau signing a three-year contract with the New York Sirens, British Columbia’s Rylind MacKinnon playing regular minutes on the Toronto Sceptres’ blueline, and Kelly-Ann Nadeau stepping into the Montreal Victoire lineup after injuries earned her a call up from the reserve roster.
Many other top U Sports grads from last year headed overseas to continue their development and could attempt to return via the draft or free agency. Players like Elizabeth Lang, Hannah Tait, Joelle Fiala, Courtney Kollman, Maggy Burbidge, Emma Bergesen, and Camryn Drever who all finished their U Sports careers last season and are playing in Europe could look to return to North America.
This year’s current group of graduating U Sports players also offers a look at potential PWHL prospects now, and in the coming seasons as many will continue to head to Europe to play. Among the top prospects this season are Mackenzie Kordic (F, 2001, British Columbia), Leah Herrfort (F 2001, Waterloo), Madison Laberge (D, 2001, Nipissing), Jessymaude Drapeau (F, 2000, Concordia), Chanreet Bassi (F, 2001, British Columbia), Leonie Philbert (D, 1999, Concordia), Malory Dominico (F, 2001, Nipissing) and Maggie McKee (F, 2001, Nipissing).
Without restrictions on who can declare, other top U Sports athletes deciding if they’re return for a fifth season may also consider declaring.
Heading into the playoffs, the top four programs in Canada at the University of British Columbia, reigning national champions Concordia University, University of Guelph, and the University of Alberta. Waterloo, Toronto, and New Brunswick are also considered contenders.