Grace Elliott is one of women’s hockey’s truly unique prospects. When she wraps up her U Sports women's hockey career at the University of British Columbia, she could be U Sports' first direct-to-the-PWHL star.
Yes, there were multiple U Sports players who made the jump last year. Emmy Fecteau was a selection of the New York Sirens and signed a three-year-deal to stay with the team. The Concordia alumni had only one goal, her lone point in 30 games. Rylind MacKinnon, another University of British Columbia alum earned a spot on the Toronto Sceptres out of training camp and this offseason signed as a free agent with the Boston Fleet. Kelly Ann Nadeau also got a cup of tea with the Montreal Victoire after a long career with the University of Montreal.
None however, are players with star potential for the league, although they can all put in long and productive PWHL careers as solid contributors.
Another UBC product, Chanreet Bassi will look to put a dent in this trend this season with PWHL Vancouver, and she could be a surprise for many in the league. Still, it's unlikely she makes a sizeable impact immediately.
The first direct-to-PWHL star could be UBC's Grace Elliott, a towering forward who was the best player in Canadian university women’s hockey this year, being named the U Sports Player of the Year. Elliott is a unique prospect for the 2026 PWHL Draft, and could become the highest U Sports selection ever.
What sets Grace Elliott apart?
Grace Elliott led U Sports women’s hockey in goals and points this season scoring 22 goals and 42 points in 28 games. Both were new British Columbia program records. For her efforts, Elliott was the U Sports Player of the Year and a First Team All-Canadian.
While that's amazing, it's Elliott's physical attributes that truly set her apart as a prospect. Elliott stands 6-foot-2, and uses every inch of her reach and every ounce of her power to make an impact on the ice.
“The work Grace has put in and how she competes, every shift she wants to score and she wants to be the best every time she touches the ice and that’s special,” said UBC head coach Graham Thomas.
Multiple PWHL teams including PWHL Seattle and the Toronto Sceptres brought in a number of bigger players this year. It's a trend that's going to continue in the physical PWHL. Where smaller, lighter players could once thrive in elite women's hockey, the element of size in the PWHL's style of play is important.
The White Rock, British Columbia product led Canada West with a +28 rating and 15 power play points. She also tied for the conference lead with seven power play goals and six game winning goals.
As a net front presence, it’s obvious why Elliott has thrived with the player advantage. But she’s more than just a big player. Elliott is an offensive talent. The power forward has done it through a combination of skill and on ice awareness, multiplied by her unique size.
It any player is going to step directly from U Sports to the PWHL and turn heads with her on ice performance, the University of British Columbia's sizeable talent, Grace Elliott, is the player who can do it.