Canada West Women’s Basketball Preview 2026–27: Opportunity in a Changing Conference
Canada West women’s basketball enters the 2026–27 season with a familiar group of contenders but a significantly different collection of players.
Saskatchewan completed an unbeaten 20–0 conference season last year, Alberta remains one of the conference’s most experienced programs, and UBC has the talent to challenge despite substantial roster turnover. Behind them, several programs have retained enough of their core to make a meaningful move up the standings.
The most interesting question may not be which teams have the strongest returning résumés, but which can best replace the responsibilities left behind by departing players.
For some, that means finding a new primary scorer. Others must develop leadership, improve their defensive consistency or integrate transfers into established systems. The difference between a playoff contender and a championship challenger could come down to how successfully those adjustments are made.
The following preview places all 17 Canada West programs into four competitive tiers. Teams are not ranked within their tiers. Returning-scoring figures are drawn from our preseason research and are included selectively where the underlying reconciliation is sufficiently reliable.
Tier 1 — Championship Favourites
Saskatchewan Huskies
Head coach: Lisa Thomaidis (28th season)
2025–26 conference record: 20–0
Who’s Back: Logan Reider (5’10”, 5th year), Maya Flindall (5’10”, 5th year), Gabrielle Kaban (5’7”, 3rd year), Olivia Harm (6’1”, 3rd year) and Elliot Lieffers (6’1”, 5th year).
Who’s New: Kaitlyn Ferrier (5’7”, 3rd year) arrives from Dalhousie. Kyla Bednarek (5’11”, 1st year), Ella Auch (6’1”, 1st year), Camryn Tait (6’1”, 1st year), Hayden Kot (5’11”, 1st year) and Ryan Deutscher (5’11”, 1st year) provide additional depth.
Who’s Gone: Gage Grassick headlines a significant graduating group that removes established scoring, leadership and championship experience.
Player to Watch — Logan Reider (5’10”, 5th year)
Reider has developed into an important offensive option for Saskatchewan, averaging 15.1 points per game last season while shooting 33.3 percent from three-point range. Her ability to create offence, stretch defences and handle increased responsibility will be central to the Huskies’ transition.
Outlook
Saskatchewan enters the season facing an unusual challenge: replacing a substantial portion of the production that helped deliver an unbeaten conference campaign while maintaining championship expectations.
The departures change the composition of the team, but they do not remove its established standard. Thomaidis has consistently built teams around defensive discipline, efficient offensive execution and players who understand their responsibilities.
Flindall also averaged 15.1 points last season, giving Saskatchewan two proven offensive options. Harm and Lieffers provide size and experience, while Kaban offers continuity in the backcourt.
The question is how quickly the Huskies establish a new hierarchy. Reider and Flindall can lead the scoring, but replacing the decision-making and defensive impact of the departed veterans will require contributions throughout the rotation.
Saskatchewan remains a championship favourite. Whether it can reproduce last season’s dominance is a different question.
Alberta Pandas
Head coach: Scott Edwards (21st season)
2025–26 conference record: 15–5
Who’s Back: Annacy Palmer (5’11”, 5th year), Reece Hall (6’2”, 5th year) and Kiah Easton-Ihediohanma (5’9”, 5th year) lead an experienced returning group.
Who’s New: Kate White (5’10”, 5th year) arrives from Wilfrid Laurier, adding another experienced option.
Who’s Gone: Morgan Harris and Jayden Tanner are among the departures from last season’s rotation.
Player to Watch — Reece Hall (6’2”, 5th year)
Hall gives Alberta an experienced frontcourt presence whose value extends beyond scoring. Her size, physicality and ability to influence possessions around the basket will be particularly important against the conference’s strongest opponents.
Outlook
Alberta enters the season with a combination of experience and continuity that few programs can match.
The Pandas finished 15–5 last season and bring back a veteran group capable of competing immediately. Palmer and Easton-Ihediohanma provide backcourt experience, while Hall anchors the frontcourt.
White’s arrival gives Edwards another experienced player to incorporate without requiring the team to depend entirely on first-year development.
The challenge for Alberta is turning that experience into a more consistent performance against elite competition. The Pandas have the personnel to win through physical play, defensive pressure and balanced offence, but championship contention will require dependable production beyond their established leaders.
Alberta belongs among the conference favourites and has a legitimate opportunity to challenge for the title.
UBC Thunderbirds
Head coach: Dave Taylor (2nd season)
2025–26 conference record: 16–4
Who’s Back: Mona Berlitz (6’0”, 4th year) and Stella LaGrange (5’10”, 5th year) provide important continuity.
Who’s New: Amy Stinson (5’11”, 5th year), an experienced transfer and former OUA all-star, headlines the additions. Alfreda Okolie (6’1”, 1st year) and Sadie Danks (5’7”, 1st year) add young talent.
Who’s Gone: UBC has undergone extensive roster turnover, with eight departures changing the makeup of last season’s team.
Player to Watch — Amy Stinson (5’11”, 5th year)
Stinson arrives with an established record of competing at a high level. Her experience and offensive versatility give UBC a player capable of assuming significant responsibility while a new rotation takes shape.
Outlook
UBC presents one of the most difficult teams to project.
The Thunderbirds finished 16–4 last season but return only about one-third of their scoring. That would normally suggest a substantial rebuilding period. Instead, UBC has brought in experienced talent and retains players capable of making meaningful contributions.
Berlitz is an important part of that equation. Her return adds a proven option, although managing health and availability will matter. LaGrange supplies another veteran presence.
Stinson could be the player who helps connect the returning group with the newcomers. Her ability to produce without disrupting the team’s offensive structure will be important.
UBC’s exhibition results were encouraging, but Taylor has acknowledged that injuries and players adjusting to new roles remain concerns.
The Thunderbirds have enough talent to contend for a championship. Their ceiling will depend on how quickly that talent becomes a cohesive team.
Tier 2 — Serious Contenders
Trinity Western Spartans
Head coach: Cheryl Jean-Paul (17th season)
2025–26 conference record: 15–5
Who’s Back: Cassidy Buchanan (5’10”, 5th year), Myrlaine Shelvey (5’9”, 5th year), Savannah Vander Kooi (6’2”, 3rd year), Mavleen Chahal (5’7”, 2nd year), Moriah Jansen (6’0”, 2nd year) and Blessing Ibekwe (6’4”, 4th year).
Who’s New: Kiki Tupas-Singh (5’6”, 1st year), Julianna Reimer (6’1”, 1st year) and Kenzie Raap (5’7”, 1st year) join an established group.
Who’s Gone: The Spartans must replace the contributions of departed veterans, although much of their core remains intact.
Player to Watch — Savannah Vander Kooi (6’2”, 3rd year)
Vander Kooi has the size and experience to take on a larger role in Trinity Western’s frontcourt. Her development as a consistent offensive contributor could give the Spartans another dimension.
Outlook
Trinity Western has built a program capable of competing with the conference’s strongest teams, and this season offers an opportunity to take another step.
Buchanan and Shelvey give the Spartans an experienced backcourt, while Vander Kooi, Jansen and Ibekwe provide size and depth.
The returning group should allow Trinity Western to maintain much of its established identity. The question is whether it can become more dangerous offensively against opponents capable of matching its physicality.
The Spartans have the experience to contend for a top position in the standings. Moving into the championship conversation will require improved consistency against the conference’s elite.
UBC Okanagan Heat
Head coach: Bobby Mitchell (9th season)
2025–26 conference record: 10–10
Who’s Back: Lily Pink (5’11”, 5th year) and Kanani Coon (6’2”, 4th year) headline a group returning most of last season’s offensive production.
Who’s New: The Heat will look to additional depth and developing players to complement an established core.
Who’s Gone: UBCO has comparatively limited turnover among its principal offensive contributors.
Player to Watch — Lily Pink (5’11”, 5th year)
Pink enters her final season with an opportunity to help turn the Heat’s continuity into more consistent results. Her experience and offensive contributions will be important as UBCO attempts to move beyond the middle of the standings.
Outlook
UBC Okanagan has one of the clearest opportunities for improvement in Canada West.
After finishing 10–10, the Heat return nearly 87 percent of their scoring. That level of continuity provides an advantage over teams trying to replace several established contributors.
Coon gives UBCO an experienced frontcourt option, while Pink offers veteran leadership and offensive stability.
The challenge is translating familiarity into better execution. Returning players alone will not guarantee improvement, particularly in a conference with several talented programs.
If the Heat can improve their defensive consistency and close-game execution, they have the potential to move into the upper half of the standings.
Calgary Dinos
Head coach: Sarah Besselink (2nd season)
2025–26 conference record: 16–4
Who’s Back: Kourtney Oss (6’0”, 5th year), Christine Geraldo (5’8”, 3rd year), Milica Gajic (5’8”, 5th year), Lilia Skumatova (6’0”, 5th year), Megan Weisgerber (5’9”, 4th year), Emma Yarwood (6’3”, 3rd year), Mackenzie Henderson (5’6”, 2nd year) and Saavyn Kaur Mann (5’7”, 2nd year).
Who’s New: Maya Charles (5’7”, 1st year), Raya Hafez (5’6”, 4th year), Brielle Croisetière (5’11”, 1st year), Ashley Newman (5’11”, 1st year), Yasmin Kells (6’2”, 1st year), Elana Sireni (6’0”, 5th year) and Elaina Tetteh-Wayoe (5’7”, 1st year) are among the additions.
Who’s Gone: Amélie Collin and Pollyanna Storie are significant departures.
Player to Watch — Christine Geraldo (5’8”, 3rd year)
Geraldo showed an ability to contribute in important postseason situations last season. Her combination of offensive confidence and experience in high-pressure games makes her a candidate for an expanded role.
Outlook
Calgary enters the season with a strong returning group and enough depth to challenge the conference’s leading teams.
Oss, Gajic and Skumatova provide veteran experience, while Yarwood offers size in the frontcourt. Geraldo’s development gives the Dinos another important option.
The departures of Collin and Storie remove established production, but Calgary has responded with a sizable group of additions.
The challenge for Besselink will be determining how the newcomers fit around an already experienced core. There is enough talent to maintain the Dinos’ place among the serious contenders, but the rotation will need to develop clear roles.
Calgary should remain difficult to beat. Its ability to challenge for a championship will depend on replacing departed production without sacrificing the balance that made last season successful.
Regina Cougars
Head coach: Michaela Kleisinger (2nd season) 2025–26 conference record: 17–3
Who’s Back: Lilly Vande Graaf (5’9”, 2nd year), Eden Wells (5’5”, 4th year), Josie Valley (5’11”, 3rd year), Sarah Valley (5’10”, 4th year), Ryenn Schutz (6’1”, 3rd year), Jordyn Neumann (6’1”, 2nd year), Alexyn Ward (5’5”, 4th year) and Avery Sorensen (6’2”, 3rd year).
Who’s New: Jael Wells (5’5”, 1st year), Chloe Collins (5’9”, 1st year), Ella Plummer (5’6”, 1st year), Olivia Plummer (5’7”, 1st year), Madeline Chicoine (6’0”, 1st year), Janaya McPherson-Perez (5’9”, 1st year) and Kai-Lynn Clive (5’11”, 1st year).
Who’s Gone: Jade Belmore and Cara Misskey headline a significant group of departures.
Player to Watch — Ryenn Schutz (6’1”, 3rd year)
Schutz has an opportunity to become a more important frontcourt contributor as Regina replaces much of last season’s production. Her size and development will be important to the Cougars’ ability to remain competitive inside.
Outlook
Regina’s 17–3 record reflects how successful the Cougars were last season, but this year’s team will look substantially different.
With less than one-third of the previous season’s scoring returning, Regina must establish new offensive leaders and develop a different rotation.
Vande Graaf and the Valley sisters provide experience, while Schutz, Neumann and Sorensen give the Cougars size and potential in the frontcourt.
The incoming class offers considerable opportunity. Several first-year players could earn meaningful minutes, although expecting immediate consistency from such a young group would be unrealistic.
Kleisinger’s task is to maintain the program’s competitive standards while developing a new core.
Regina has the talent to remain a serious contender, but its early-season performance may be less indicative of its eventual ceiling than that of more experienced opponents.
Tier 3 — Playoff Contenders
Fraser Valley Cascades
Head coach: Al Tuchscherer (25th season)
2025–26 conference record: 9–11
Who’s Back: Fania Taylor (5’9”, 5th year), Bernie Leda (5’7”, 5th year), Miah Schuurman (5’11”, 3rd year), Kyanna Knodel (6’0”, 3rd year) and Kalie Saari (5’11”, 4th year).
Who’s New: Developing players will have opportunities to compete for larger roles in the rotation.
Who’s Gone: Julia Tuchscherer and Esther Allison are important departures.
Player to Watch — Fania Taylor (5’9”, 5th year)
Taylor averaged 10.3 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.7 steals last season. With additional offensive responsibility available, she has an opportunity to become one of Fraser Valley’s primary contributors.
Outlook
Fraser Valley enters a transition season after finishing just below .500.
The departures of Tuchscherer and Allison remove experience and offensive production, creating opportunities for returning players.
Leda provides stability and playmaking, while Schuurman has shown the ability to contribute at both ends. She averaged 8.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.3 steals last season, suggesting she could become increasingly important.
Knodel and Saari also have opportunities to expand their roles.
The Cascades have enough returning talent to compete for a playoff berth, but success will depend on how quickly their supporting players adjust to greater responsibility.
Victoria Vikes
Head coach: Carrie Watts (6th season)
2025–26 conference record: 9–11
Who’s Back: Makena Anderson (6’0”, 4th year), Natalie Allison (5’8”, 3rd year) and Avery Geddes (5’8”, 2nd year).
Who’s New: Mia Parkin (5’10”, 3rd year) arrives from Capilano.
Who’s Gone: Abigail Becker and Mimi Sigue are among the significant departures.
Player to Watch — Avery Geddes (5’8”, 2nd year)
Geddes enters her second season after earning Canada West Rookie of the Year recognition. Her development will be central to Victoria’s efforts to improve offensively and establish a more consistent identity.
Outlook
Victoria has an opportunity to improve on last season’s 9–11 record, but the Vikes will need to replace important experience.
Anderson and Allison provide returning leadership, while Geddes offers a promising young player capable of taking on a larger role.
Parkin’s arrival gives Victoria another experienced option and should help strengthen the rotation.
The Vikes must find greater consistency against teams above them in the standings. Geddes’ development will be important, but Victoria cannot rely on one player to carry the offensive burden.
A return to the playoffs is a realistic objective. Moving beyond that level will require improvement throughout the roster.
Mount Royal Cougars
Head coach: Robyn Fleckenstein (8th season)
2025–26 conference record: 10–10
Who’s Back: Asha Donnelly (5’5”, 5th year), Temi Ajayi (6’0”, 3rd year), Marissa Richards (5’9”, 4th year) and Kayla Gillespie Kraft (6’1”, 3rd year).
Who’s New: Hope Dunkley (5’9”, 1st year), Taylor Rae (5’6”, 1st year) and Noa Prado (5’6”, 1st year) join the program.
Who’s Gone: Nora Luca is among the departures.
Player to Watch — Hope Dunkley (5’9”, 1st year)
Dunkley arrives from Ross Sheppard in Edmonton with an opportunity to earn a role in the Cougars’ rotation. Her transition to Canada West competition will be worth following as Mount Royal looks to develop its next group of contributors.
Outlook
Mount Royal finished 10–10 last season and returns enough experience to compete for another playoff appearance.
Donnelly provides veteran leadership in the backcourt, while Ajayi offers an established frontcourt presence. Richards and Gillespie Kraft add experience to the supporting group.
The incoming players give Fleckenstein options, but their development will take time.
The Cougars’ biggest challenge is finding greater consistency. They have shown they can compete, but establishing dependable offensive production will be essential to moving beyond the middle of the standings.
Mount Royal should remain in the playoff conversation, with its ceiling determined by how effectively the newcomers complement the returning core.
Manitoba Bisons
Head coach: Michele Sung (13th season)
2025–26 conference record: 8–12
Who’s Back: Anna Miko (6’2”, 4th year), Kyu Fust (6’0”, 4th year), Samantha Onyebuchi (5’9”, 4th year), Sydnee Harris (5’4”, 4th year), Darya Rom (5’9”, 3rd year), Ayva Khan (5’10”, 5th year), Taylor Schepp (5’8”, 2nd year), Hope LaRocque (5’10”, 3rd year) and Paige Schatkowsky (5’10”, 3rd year).
Who’s New: Izzi Fust (6’1”, 3rd year) arrives from Regina, while Faith LaRocque (6’0”, 4th year) joins from Providence. Emilie McLean (6’1”, 1st year), Kiley Schettler (5’7”, 1st year) and Sonia Gómez Herresanchez (5’5”, 1st year) add depth.
Who’s Gone: Manitoba retains most of its principal offensive contributors.
Player to Watch — Izzi Fust (6’1”, 3rd year)
Fust brings additional size and experience to Manitoba’s frontcourt. Her ability to contribute immediately could help the Bisons turn a strong returning core into better results.
Outlook
Manitoba is one of the more intriguing teams entering the season.
The Bisons finished 8–12 but return approximately 88 percent of their scoring. That continuity, combined with additional experienced players, creates an opportunity for improvement.
Miko provides size, while Onyebuchi, Harris and Khan offer experience across the rotation.
The addition of Fust could strengthen the frontcourt and give Manitoba greater flexibility against larger opponents.
The question is whether the Bisons can translate continuity into better execution. They have enough returning production to expect improvement, but last season’s record also shows there are areas that need to change.
Manitoba has the personnel to compete for a playoff position and potentially move higher if its offensive consistency improves.
Lethbridge Pronghorns
Head coach: Dave Waknuk (9th season)
2025–26 conference record: 5–15
Who’s Back: Piper Dobbelsteyn (5’8”, 5th year), Courtney McKee (5’10”, 4th year), Rae Wedman (5’4”, 2nd year), Megan Aleman (5’9”, 5th year), Halle Aleman (6’0”, 3rd year), Asia Wells (5’10”, 4th year), Shaelyn Annett (6’0”, 2nd year) and Kate De La Mare (6’2”, 4th year).
Who’s New: Kadie Anderson (5’7”, 1st year) joins the program.
Who’s Gone: Lethbridge must replace departed production while continuing to develop its returning rotation.
Player to Watch — Megan Aleman (5’9”, 5th year)
Aleman brings experience and offensive ability to a Lethbridge team looking for more consistent production. Her final season provides an opportunity to take on additional leadership responsibilities.
Outlook
Lethbridge enters the season looking to improve on a 5–15 record.
The Pronghorns have an experienced returning group, including Dobbelsteyn, McKee and Aleman, but that experience must translate into better results.
Frontcourt size is available through Halle Aleman, Annett and De La Mare. The challenge is making that size more effective within the team’s overall offensive and defensive structure.
Lethbridge has the personnel to be more competitive than last season’s record suggests. However, meaningful improvement will require greater consistency over full games.
A playoff push is possible, but the Pronghorns will need to demonstrate early that their returning experience has produced tangible progress.
Thompson Rivers WolfPack
Head coach: Scott Clark (Interim)
2025–26 conference record: 8–12
Who’s Back: Morgan Eichenberger (5’11”, 3rd year), Olivia Randall (5’9”, 4th year), Sydney Vollrath (5’4”, 4th year), Maddy Hackman (5’10”, 4th year), Kylee Koppes (5’8”, 3rd year), Allison Hansen (5’11”, 3rd year) and Olivia Wheatley (5’11”, 3rd year).
Who’s New: Jasmin Guarasci (6’0”, 1st year), Adie Janke (5’11”, 1st year) and Janeesh Sran (5’7”, 1st year).
Who’s Gone: The WolfPack retain their scoring production from last season.
Player to Watch — Olivia Randall (5’9”, 4th year)
Randall, a Regina product who attended Riffel, provides experience and continuity for a team attempting to build on last season’s improvement.
Outlook
Thompson Rivers made progress last season, improving from 1–19 to 8–12.
The WolfPack now return their scoring production, giving them an opportunity to build on that progress rather than begin another major roster transition.
Eichenberger, Randall and Vollrath provide continuity, while Hackman, Koppes and Hansen give the team additional experienced contributors.
The coaching transition introduces another variable, but the established roster should help provide stability.
The question is whether Thompson Rivers can turn competitive performances into more wins. The WolfPack have already demonstrated improvement; the next step is proving they can consistently compete with established playoff programs.
A postseason appearance is a realistic goal.
Tier 4 — Building Programs
Winnipeg Wesmen
Head coach: Robyn Boulanger (Interim)
2025–26 conference record: 4–16
Who’s Back: Raia Guinto (5’6”, 5th year), Jazmin Birch (6’0”, senior), Jennifer Kallon (6’0”, senior), Sarah Boitson (6’2”, 5th year), Mattea Teece (5’10”, junior), Missy May Valdez (5’2”, senior), Jennifer Edwards (5’6”, sophomore), Avneet Kainth (5’8”, sophomore) and Eliana Stark (6’3”, sophomore).
Who’s New: Ava Shaw (5’10”, freshman), Emma Elliott (5’9”, freshman), Ella Castres (5’6”, freshman) and Emma Yard (6’1”, freshman).
Who’s Gone: Winnipeg must replace departed contributors while developing a younger supporting group.
Player to Watch — Sarah Boitson (6’2”, 5th year)
Boitson gives Winnipeg an experienced frontcourt presence with the size to influence games inside. Her leadership and ability to provide dependable production will be important during the team’s transition.
Outlook
Winnipeg enters the season with an experienced core but several questions following a 4–16 campaign.
Guinto, Birch, Kallon and Boitson provide veteran leadership, while the younger players have opportunities to develop.
Boulanger takes over on an interim basis while head coach Alyssa Cox is on maternity leave.
The Wesmen return much of their scoring, but improving their record will require more than maintaining last season’s production. They must become more efficient offensively and improve their ability to compete consistently.
The returning experience should help, but Winnipeg remains a program working to establish a more competitive foundation.
Brandon Bobcats
Head coach: Ilarion Bonhomme (3rd season)
2025–26 conference record: 7–13
Who’s Back: Amaya McLeod (5th year), Jessie Sumner (2nd year) and Abigail Shand (3rd year).
Who’s New: Josephine Odude (1st year), an Australian newcomer, joins the program.
Who’s Gone: Brandon must replace approximately half of last season’s scoring production.
Player to Watch — Josephine Odude (1st year)
Odude arrives with an opportunity to contribute to a program looking to establish a stronger competitive identity. Her adjustment to Canada West competition will be an important development to monitor.
Outlook
Brandon finished 7–13 last season and enters the new campaign with a mixture of returning experience and developing talent.
McLeod provides veteran leadership, while Sumner and Shand have opportunities to assume larger responsibilities.
The loss of significant offensive production creates challenges, particularly for a program attempting to improve its consistency.
Odude’s arrival gives Brandon another option, but the Bobcats will need contributions throughout the rotation rather than relying on individual performances.
The immediate goal is to become more competitive on a nightly basis and establish a foundation capable of supporting future improvement.
MacEwan Griffins
Head coach: Katherine Adams (11th season)
2025–26 conference record: 0–20
Who’s Back: Unity Obasuyi (5’11”, 4th year), Samantha Hickey (6’2”, 4th year), Toni Gordon (5’10”, 5th year), Allie Spenrath (5’5”, 5th year), Paige Massier (5’5”, 4th year), Ayla Grady (5’8”, 3rd year), Bella Kurz (5’9”, 2nd year), Sadie Aalders (6’3”, 2nd year), Ava Regier (5’11”, 3rd year) and Ellie Mae Goerzen (6’3”, 2nd year).
Who’s New: Emma Stockinger (5’8”, 1st year), Anita Tavaszi (5’7”, 1st year) and Samira Muon (6’5”, 1st year).
Who’s Gone: MacEwan retains most of its scoring production.
Player to Watch — Unity Obasuyi (5’11”, 4th year)
Obasuyi averaged 16.6 points last season, providing the Griffins with a proven offensive contributor despite the team’s struggles. Her ability to continue producing while helping establish a more balanced offence will be central to MacEwan’s improvement.
Outlook
MacEwan enters the season looking to move beyond a winless 2025–26 conference campaign.
The Griffins return most of their scoring, including Obasuyi and Hickey, who has demonstrated an ability to influence games defensively through shot-blocking.
Gordon, Spenrath and Massier provide veteran experience, while Aalders and Goerzen offer frontcourt size.
Muon adds another significant interior presence at 6’5”, giving MacEwan additional options around the basket.
The challenge is turning individual production into team success. The Griffins have experienced players, but they must improve their defensive consistency and find more reliable offensive contributions throughout the rotation.
The immediate objective is to become more competitive and begin converting close games into wins.
UNBC Timberwolves
Head coach: Sergey Shchepotkin (15th season)
2025–26 conference record: 1–19
Who’s Back: Viktoriia Filatova (5’8”, 4th year), Sophia Fuller (5’8”, 4th year), Katie Shchepotkina (5’10”, 4th year), Avin Jahangiri (5’11”, 3rd year), Mya Willing (6’2”, 2nd year) and Hazel Phillips (5’11”, 2nd year).
Who’s New: Greta Seeliger (5’7”, 1st year), Kayleigh Kennedy (5’8”, 1st year), Annika Parr (5’9”, 1st year), Mya Regier (5’5”, 1st year), Ayanna Parr (5’8”, 1st year), Nevena Nogic (5’11”, 2nd year) and Aurora Cabrera (6’3”, 2nd year).
Who’s Gone: UNBC retains much of its scoring but must continue developing its supporting rotation.
Player to Watch — Greta Seeliger (5’7”, 1st year)
Seeliger arrives from Germany with experience in the HTG Bad Homburg Falcons program. Her development will be worth following as UNBC looks for additional offensive options and greater depth.
Outlook
UNBC enters the season looking to improve on a difficult 1–19 campaign.
The Timberwolves have some experienced returning players, led by Filatova, who has accumulated 743 points through her first three seasons.
Fuller and Shchepotkina provide continuity, while Willing offers size and developmental potential.
The incoming class is substantial, giving the program opportunities to establish a different rotation and develop new contributors.
The challenge is that several newcomers will be adjusting to Canada West competition while the returning group attempts to improve its consistency.
UNBC’s immediate objective is to become more competitive and establish a foundation for sustained improvement. The development of its younger players will be more important than any single early-season result.
The Bigger Picture
The 2026–27 Canada West women’s basketball season presents a contrast between established programs attempting to maintain their position and emerging teams trying to take advantage of significant roster changes.
Saskatchewan remains the standard after an unbeaten conference season, but the departure of experienced players creates an opportunity for challengers. Alberta has the continuity and veteran talent to compete for a championship, while UBC must determine how quickly a substantially different roster can come together.
Trinity Western, Calgary, Regina and UBC Okanagan have different paths into the championship conversation. Trinity Western brings experience, Calgary retains a strong core, Regina must replace considerable production, and UBCO has the continuity to improve on last season.
The middle of the conference could be particularly competitive. Manitoba and Thompson Rivers return substantial portions of their scoring, while Victoria, Fraser Valley, Mount Royal and Lethbridge are looking for players capable of assuming greater responsibilities.
For Winnipeg, Brandon, MacEwan and UNBC, progress may be measured differently. Developing young players, establishing consistent rotations and improving competitiveness will be essential steps.
The teams that succeed will not necessarily be those with the most returning players or the strongest individual talent. They will be the programs that best identify new roles, develop dependable offensive options and maintain their defensive standards through a season of change.
With so many teams facing meaningful transitions, Canada West enters 2026–27 with opportunities throughout the standings.
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