Fall marks not just the beginning of the new school year, but also of a new hockey season. The Ubyssey spoke to UBC women’s hockey head coach Graham Thomas on what to expect from the reigning Canada West (CW) Champions.
New leadership and new recruits
With the departure of former captain and MVP Rylind MacKinnon, the T-Birds are looking for opportunities for players to step up and grow into new leadership roles. While the 2024/25 captain has yet to be announced, Thomas was clear with his expectations for this year’s group.
“The big thing that we’re going to be asking ... from our players, is everybody’s got to be a leader, everybody’s got to step up,” he said.
In addition to MacKinnon, veteran players Joelle Fiala and Reese Hiddleston also moved on from UBC. However, over the summer, the Thunderbirds signed four new exciting players. The new signings will bring international experience and defensive prowess to the team.
Two new recruits are NCAA transfers: forward Kas Betinol and defender Meadow Carman. Betinol last played for Colgate University in New York. Dubbed an “international superstar,” the two-way player was also named to the 2022 Chinese Olympic team and brings four games of Olympic experience along with her.
Carman captained at Brown University last season and is an expert penalty killer. She will help UBC fill the gap left by MacKinnon’s departure on special teams.
Former Whitby Wolves goaltender and first-year Mya Lucifora was described by Thomas as an “explosive, great athlete” with “a lot of potential.” In her most recent season, Lucifora posted an impressive 0.930 save percentage over 28 games.
Finally, forward Vanessa Schaefer hails from Vancouver, but spent the last year playing professionally in Switzerland. While there, the smooth skating forward was named to the Swiss national team and competed in the 2024 IIHF Women’s World Championship last spring.
Thomas also praised both the on- and off-ice characters of his new additions.
“All of them are going to make some impact in our program.”
How do you follow the three-peat?
After a 24–1 regular season and winning their third CW Championship in a row last season, the Thunderbirds are expected to make their mark again this year as they chase what would be a historic fourth consecutive title.
The ‘Birds will be playing with a target on their backs this year as the rest of the West aim to dethrone them. They were also voted number one in the CW preseason coaches poll. Despite the pressure, Thomas is keeping the focus on his team and ensuring their motivations are correct.
“We’ve got to just kind of focus on us. Get back to the process, redefine what motivates us for this year. Why do we want to win four in a row?”
He also emphasized the need to “keep getting better every day and every week.”
The T-Birds’ season opener is against the University of Calgary Dinos on October 4 at 6 p.m., while their home opener at Thunderbird Arena is on October 11 at 7 p.m. where they will be taking on Mount Royal University.
“I’m sure that we’re prepared and we’re sharp and ready to compete,” said Thomas. “We’re ready for a new, exciting season.”
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