Rogers Arena was covered in purple on January 8 as the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) Takeover Tour made its way to Vancouver. The Toronto Sceptres vs. Montréal Victoire game was a special night for many, not only because it was Western Canada’s first PWHL experience, but because it marked the return of former UBC women’s hockey captain, Rylind MacKinnon.
“It's exciting to see all the support and just the feeling of being back in BC,” said MacKinnon in an interview with The Ubyssey.
The UBC alum was signed to a one-year Standard Player Agreement this past fall following a successful stint at the Sceptres’ training camp.
“It's definitely a step up. It's a more physical game and it's faster,” MacKinnon said about the transition from U Sports to the PWHL. “I mean, you’ve got the best players in the world … but I think I’m grasping on to the faster pace and physicality.”
Moving across the country to play in front of thousands every other night may seem daunting, but MacKinnon has adjusted well.
“It's been good. I'm still getting to know the city and everything, but the fans have been great in Toronto …. just getting used to the no more classes,” said MacKinnon who recently completed her master’s in kinesiology in December. She also praised the Sceptres’ leadership group and locker room culture for adding to the smooth transition.
When asked whether she felt more pressure in January’s homecoming game than in her November PWHL debut Mackinnon replied, “Maybe a little bit more pressure that I put on myself.”
“It was in the home province, and had a lot of familiar faces in the stands. Obviously, the team wants to put out a good effort and a good product so that we have fans that are [returning] and love to see the game,” she said.
Alongside nearly every other sports organization in the area, the 2024/25 UBC women’s hockey team were in attendance for their graduated captain’s return. The recent Canada West champions donned shirts with a photo of MacKinnon sporting a wide smile and heavily swollen eyes.
MacKinnon recalled the story behind the comical picture, remembering the team's first Canada West championship win.
“So we popped the champagne after we had won … and it sprayed everywhere. Of course, it goes into my eye, and I guess I already had a stye, so then it got infected. So that there was my face just [swollen] up. And that's the photo that they took of me and put on the shirts.”
“Not the most glamorous story, that's for sure,” she joked.
Canucks home ice announcer Al Murdoch ensured the crowd of over 19,000 was roaring when the women took to the ice. Although MacKinnon’s Sceptres were the designated ‘home team,’ cheers erupted when either side scored, made a diving save or hit an opponent hard into the boards.
The highlight of the night came when Marie-Philip Poulin scored a “superwoman” goal which has since gone viral. MacKinnon’s Sceptres ultimately fell 4–2, with their fate sealed by Poulin’s empty net goal in the final minute.
While the results may not have been what MacKinnon was hoping for, the sold out game was an undoubtable success for the PWHL. Vancouver’s hunger for a professional women’s hockey team of their own has been made clear, meaning that while this was MacKinnon’s first game back home, it will hopefully not be her last.
A previous version of this story misspelled the name of player Marie Philip-Poulin. The Ubyssey regrets this error.
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