The list of U Sports women's hockey alumni to play in the PWHL grew by one on Wednesday as University of New Brunswick graduate Kendra Woodland made her debut for the Ottawa Charge.
The list of U Sports alumni in the PWHL isn't a long one, but it grew officially by one on Wednesday as University of New Brunswick graduate Kendra Woodland stepped into the Ottawa Charge's crease.
Prior to Woodland's appearance, the PWHL's U Sports alumni included Jade Downie Landry, Alexandra Labelle, Kaitlin Willoughby, Kelly Ann Nadeau, and Catherine Dubois, all members of the Montreal Victoire, as well as Emmy Fecteau (New York Sirens) and Rylind MacKinnon (Boston Fleet).
Woodland stepped into her first PWHL game replacing Ottawa starter Gwyneth Philips 14:50 into the first period after Philips allowed three goals on eight shots. Woodland came in and stopped 14 of 16 she faced in 45:10 of play. It was her first game play since her final season at the University of New Brunswick in 2023-24.
After representing Canada at the U-18 World Championships, Woodland was originally headed to play for the University of North Dakota before that program abruptly cancelled their women's hockey program.
Going to New Brunswick instead, Woodland was the AUS Rookie of the Year and was named a U Sports All-Rookie. In 2023 she won gold with Canada's Universaide team and won the Broderick Trophy as the U Sports Player of the Year.
With her PWHL appearance, Woodland also becomes only the second U Sports netminder, following Lindsey Post who made a pair of appearances, including winning her only career start in the PWHL's inaugural season with New York.
She also twice was invited to Hockey Canada's national team selection summer showcase.