UBC Women’s Hockey and Prep Camp Connection

The UBC Thunderbirds Female Hockey team has been a perennial contender in the Women’s U-Sports Hockey League. The program has collected 4 Canada West Conference titles in the last decade and is on the brink of competing for yet another this year. This season has been one of the most successful in conference history with the team going 24-2-2 in the regular season (Single Season Win Record in Canada West Conference). The UBC Women’s Hockey program has not only shown to be successful at the team level, they subsequently have helped produced some of the most outstanding and talented people in sport of hockey.

West Coast Prep Camp has proudly shared a connection spanning many years with the UBC Women’s Hockey program. Each year during prep camp it is quite likely you will see a handful of past, present or future T-Birds players along with current head coach Graham Thomas and assistant coach Mike Sommer.

The long-standing relationship between UBC Women’s Hockey and West Coast Prep Camp has helped many young athletes gain the experience and exposure into what it takes to advance in their hockey development.

We are incredibly proud to call these UBC Thunderbirds players and staff alumni:

Players:

Emily Costales, 1996 (F) – KRS Vanke Rays, China/Russia – Currently in third professional season / Attended camp in (’14-’15) / Graduated from UBC in 2019 after 2 seasons

Celine Tardif, 1996 (D) – SDE HF, SDHL (W) – Currently in fourth professional season / 5-time camp attendee (’11-’15) / UBC Grad 2019 / Team Captain (’18-’19)

Shay-Lee McConnell, 1999 (F) – University of British Columbia, U-Sports –  5-time camp attendee (’14-’18) / A Port Alberni native, 5-year graduate of UBC

Sophia Gaskell, 2002 (D)- University of British Columbia, U-Sports – Attended camp in 2020 / In her third season at UBC /  Represented Team BC (‘20)

Tiffany Chiu, 1998 (F) – University of British Columbia, U-Sports –  3-time camp attendee (’14-’16) / 4-year graduate of UBC / Team Assistant Captain (‘20-’21)

Danielle Wierenga, 1998 (G) – University of British Columbia, U-Sports – 6-time camp attendee (’11-’16) and a camp captain / 4-year graduate of UBC 

Hannah Clayton-Carroll, 1997 (F) – Current member of SDE HF (SDHL)  – 2-time camp attendee (’14-’15) / 5-year graduate of UBC 

Jenna Fletcher, 1999 (F) – University of British Columbia, U-Sports – 2-time camp attendee (’16,’17). /  In her fifth season at UBC

Emma Hall, 2000 (F) – University of British Columbia, U-Sports – Attended camp in 2018 / In her fifth season at UBC

Olivia Buckley, 2002 (F) – University of British Columbia, U-Sports – Attended camp in 2020 / In her second season at UBC 

Mackenzie Kordic, 2001 (F) – University of British Columbia, U-Sports – Attended camp in 2017 / In her senior season at UBC

Reese Hiddleston, 2001 (G) – University of British Columbia, U-Sports – Attended camp in 2016 / In her senior season at UBC

Aimee Brucker, 2001 (F) –  University of British Columbia, U-Sports – 5-time camp attendee (’14,’15,’17,’18,’20) / Played two seasons at UBC

Jaylyn Morris, 2005 (D) – Delta Hockey Academy U18 Prep / CSSHL U18 (W) – Attended camp in 2022 / Committed to UBC for Fall 2023

Leighanna Rizarri, 2005 (F) – Calgary Fire U18 AAA / AFHL U18 AAA (W) – 2-time camp attendee (’18-’19) / Committed to UBC for Fall 2023

Vanessa Shaefer, 2005 (F) – Delta Hockey Academy U18 Prep / CSSHL U18 (W) – Attended camp in 2021/ Committed to UBC for Fall 2024

Staff:

Graham Thomas – Head Coach – UBC Thunderbirds (W), U-Sports  – 9-time camp attendee

Mike Sommer – Assistant Coach – UBC Thunderbirds (W), U-Sports  – 10-time camp attendee

Dominique DiRocco – Former Assistant Coach – UBC Thunderbirds (W), U-Sports

Eddy Guay – Former Video Coach – UBC Thunderbirds (W), U-Sports

Congratulations to the UBC Women’s Hockey team on all the success and we look forward to continuing our work together in preparing young athletes for taking the next step in their hockey journey.