Pandas blend youth and experience in Canada West title defence

The University of Alberta Pandas hockey team will return to the ice for their home opener for the 2025-26 season with a new cohort ready to make their mark alongside seasoned players.

The last season for the Pandas brought the 15th Canada West championship under their belt. The Pandas home opener is on Saturday, October 11th at 5:00 pm at Clare Drake Arena against the MacEwan Griffins.

The winningest coach in Canadian university women’s hockey, Howie Draper is optimistic about the upcoming season and the performance of this year’s Pandas. He highlights that last year’s roster consisted of many seniors, whereas this year will see  an influx of new players coming in as first year student-athletes, and transfers from the ACAC.

Another key difference with this year’s team Draper mentions is the on-ice maturity the players possess. As with every year, the decorated coach’s expectations are to win the conference and a national championship. “I don't think it's going to be as easy as it has been the last couple of years,” Draper says with regards to the younger cohort. "But if we all work hard and we commit ourselves to getting better on a regular basis, I don't see why this group can't come back and win that conference again.”

Relying on veterans early in the season

The Pandas have already experienced some adversity during the starting of the season, dropping their first two conference games in Langley against TWU, but Draper is confident in the senior players ability to guide the rookies and pass on what they have learned to help them with the new season. 

“This was definitely a challenging preseason for the team just because we were kind of getting used to having those new players,” said 2025 Canada West Goalie of the Year Grace Glover. “But just looking from our first few games against Calgary, even to this past weekend and against the U18 Provincial team, the change and the growth has just been astronomical already. And I think just how we've connected as a group since then, even over the past month, I think I'm really excited for how the regular season is going to start.”

Compared to the previous years she has been on the team, Glover admits having seven new Pandas will take adjustment. “The biggest change is having a really young group and trying to get used to that and being open to it,” Glover said about this year’s roster.

Glover anticipates growing in her third year as a Panda and is excited about starting a new chapter in her athletic career. She will be among a handful of returning Pandas Draper will rely on in 2025-26. A second team U SPORTS All-Canadian, Glover posted seven shutouts and a .962 save percentage across 15 conference games last season.

Rookie Pandas ready to make a mark

A new addition who is excited to make a mark is first year defenseman Kate Williams. “She was the top defensive player in Saskatchewan. She's a big, strong player that can contribute to offense on the backend and I think that's something that we need to replace [Taylor] Anker and [Brooklyn] Tews from last year,” Draper comments. "She's a very intelligent young lady and she's come through a strong program in the Notre Dame program in Saskatchewan. I could see her emerging into a future leader for us eventually down the road.”

The former Notre Dame Hounds captain is already looking up to her senior teammates for inspiration on how to improve her performance.

As for the lessons she’s learned from U18 that she will carry onto her career as a Panda, she says, “I learned a lot of things, but the main thing is just to play with confidence. Whatever team you're on now from this point on, you're there for a reason. It's not by chance. So just play with confidence and remember why you're here.” 

Tickets for Saturday’s home-opener are available at BeTheRoar.ca