BURSTIt’s been another tremendous season for women’s hockey superstar and White Rock native Grace Elliott.
The University of B.C. Thunderbird, currently the reigning Canada West and U Sports Player of the year, finished the regular season as the top scorer in her conference — and in the entire country, leading the conference with 37 points and 24 goals in 28 games. She also broke the program’s all-time Canada West points record in December.
After sweeping the Trinity Western University Spartans 4-0 and 3-1 last weekend, Elliott and her Thunderbirds team now advance to their fifth straight Canada West championship starting this Friday, March 6, when they’ll face off against the Manitoba Bisons on home ice at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre.
Elliott, whose 6-2 frame sets her apart on the ice, remains modest about her outstanding performance this season, as well as previous seasons with the UBC Thunderbirds, giving credit to her teammates.
“I think we’ve done a great job in just grinding teams out and just grinding the season out. … We do play a lot, but we never waver from our effort,” she said, noting their goal is always to win. “I do think we have the team and the heart to do it this year.”
The UBC squad has plenty of talented senior players on the team, and they’ve won Canada West three of the last four years and made it to nationals four times. But a national title has eluded them, and that is their goal this year, UBC women’s hockey head coach Graham Thomas noted.
“With this team — they just want to win. They’re seniors, they’ve been to the dance … they’re still silver medallists (from) last year. They’re just such an experienced, such an incredible group,” he said. “But at the end of the day, they haven’t won a national title … the program never has. Their expectation is the national title. So we’ve got to take care of one game at a time.”
Thomas had nothing but praise for Elliott, noting the many records she has broken, and her drive and passion for the game.
“It’s crazy just how many goals she has and how many points she’s had, but also how many game-winning goals she’s had. … She’s very humble, she’s been a great leader, she works hard, and she puts the team first. She’s happy for her line mates when they score, for her teammates when they score … she just epitomizes a competitor. She’s done such an amazing job this year, (as well as) in her career — it’s incredible.”
As for her next steps, Thomas is highly optimistic the Professional Women’s Hockey League will be in her future, hockey-wise.
“She’ll go in the PWHL draft, yes … I think it’s likely. I think so. It depends on many teams they do,” Thomas said, but added that playing professionally in Europe is also an option for the senior players who still want to play after graduation.
Elliott, who is graduating this year with a degree in psychology, isn’t quite sure what she wants to do with her education yet, but she definitely has her sights set on professional hockey.
“The PWHL — that’s what my goal is for sure. There’s a lot of work I need to put in to get there, but yes, I’m hoping for the PWHL. If not, I’ll probably try and play somewhere in Europe, but my main goal is definitely PWHL.”
The PWHL declaration window opened March 1, where prospective PWHL players can declare their eligibility for the 2026 PWHL Draft. The window closes this year on May 8. The league has yet to announce the date, location, or format of the 2026 PWHL Draft.
Growing up in White Rock, Elliott first learned to skate and play hockey at Excellent Ice in Panorama Ridge, where her father operates the rink.
Prior to UBC, she suited up for the Surrey Falcons, the Greater Vancouver Comets and Delta Hockey Academy, where she first caught Thomas’ eye.
With spring and, eventually, summer on the way, Elliott is looking forward to being back in White Rock and enjoying the seaside community with her friends, while also working at the always-popular restaurant Charlie Don’t Surf.
“I love to walk on the beach, it’s beautiful … just hanging out with friends around the beach, I think is the biggest thing.”
UBC Thunderbirds continue their quest for a championship on Friday (March 6) on home ice with a 7 p.m. puck drop vs. the Bisons, followed by a Saturday game on March 7, also at 7 p.m. at Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre.
Tickets are available online at gothunderbirds.ca/sports/womens-ice-hockey/schedule or at the door. Fans can also stream the game on CanadaWest.tv.