VANCOUVER – As UBC Thunderbirds captain Rylind MacKinnon is now in the early stages of her final U SPORTS season, there's plenty for the former Canada West Defenceman of the Year to look forward to.
Aside from the chance to complete a rare three-peat conference championship this season, the T-Birds are also one of the favourites to not only get back to the U SPORTS National Championship tournament but potentially win that elusive title banner.
But beyond whatever this season brings, MacKinnon will have a plethora of hockey options coming her way as the Cranbrook, B.C. native continues to turn heads across the country.
Less than a month ago, MacKinnon was at Hockey Canada's National Women's Team September camp, one of just 46 players to receive an invite, and the only U SPORTS representative.
"It was amazing, it's always an honour to represent your country but also the program I come from, the T-Birds," said MacKinnon who had the opportunity to play alongside Olympians and some of the very best female hockey players the world over. "It was very fast-paced hockey, it was exciting to see how that program runs from a close perspective."
The camp was held in Thorold, Ontario and included 20 members of the 2023 silver medal IIHF World Championship team. The week served as a key preparatory piece ahead of the coming international season including the 2024 IIHF World Championship slated for Utica, New York.
"Some of the experience with so many good players there, playing with speed and making decisions under pressure, I can bring some of that to the group and help to push us all to the next step," said MacKinnon whose dream remains competing for the maple leaf on the world stage. "I'll just keep putting in the work here and see if that opportunity comes."
Her accomplishments thus far are not only a boon for herself personally, but also for the Thunderbirds program by extension. To have Canada West players such as MacKinnon compete at such a high level shines a light on the quality of play at universities across the country.
"It's great for the program to have UBC and U SPORTS recognized and have athletes at that camp alongside Olympians, it's quite an honour," said UBC head coach
Graham Thomas. "I'm really proud of her. I can't believe she's a senior already. She's been a great leader and it was amazing to see her have that experience."
Having trained all summer not only with the hope of attending Hockey Canada's September camp but also to prepare for the coming Canada West season, MacKinnon is more than ready for her final shot at leading the T-Birds to their first ever national championship.
"I think we have great resources here, the coaching staff is always helping me to grow, now in my sixth year here," MacKinnon said. "It's amazing to represent the T-Birds and I want us all to be noticed nationally as well."
While MacKinnon and the T-Birds have big goals for February and March of 2024, it's a long Canada West season and the immediate focus is week-to-week and continuing to build on last season's accomplishments which included going undefeated on home ice.
UBC's first crack at extending that streak into this season has arrived as the team hosts the Regina Cougars Friday and Saturday where they'll hoist last year's conference championship banner before quickly turning their attention to trying to secure the program's sixth Canada West title.
