A White Rock power forward who was the best player in Canadian university women's hockey this year has definite Professional Women's Hockey League potential.
White Rock's Grace Elliott, who wrapped up a fantastic fourth season with the University of British Columbia's Thunderbirds, led U Sports women鈥檚 hockey in goals and points this season 鈥� scoring 22 goals and 42 points in 28 games, setting two new British Columbia program records. She also took home the 2025 Brodrick Trophy U Sports Player of the Year trophy and was a First Team All-Canadian, as well as the 2024-25 Canada West Women's Hockey Player of the Year.
The towering 6'2" forward, a North Delta Secondary grad whose father reportedly ran a small rink in Surrey when she was young, is a unique potential prospect for the 2026 PWHL draft, with her height setting her apart physically as well.
UBC women's hockey head coach Graham Thomas said Eliott uses her physical attributes to her advantage, which shows in the season she just posted.
"She's always been a great player, but she had a breakout season last year and she put a lot of work in ... things are starting to click for her on the ice and off the ice," he said.
"She keeps getting better and better. She's she's she's put a lot of work in and she's trained really hard ... she's had successful years every year."
There's speculation in the women's hockey world that Elliott could be the U Sports' first direct-to-PWHL prospect with star potential when it comes to the 2026 PWHL draft.
Thomas agrees.
"I believe in it 100 per cent," he said. "I'm just really excited for her, I'm really proud of her, and what she accomplish this this year in the league, and in leading the country in scoring, and winning U Sports Player of the Year, and for our program as well ... just incredible.
Elliott's size and ability to score and lead sets her apart, Thomas said.
"She can do it all. She's got the size, she's co-ordinated ... she's got great vision and she passes well," said Thomas.
"She's a well-rounded player and it's all coming together ... all the work she's done is coming together for her. I truly believe she's not done yet."
He's looking forward to working with her for "one more year or two" before she is potentially, drafted to the PWHL.
"From what I've seen, there's not really too many players in Canada like (Elliott) out there (with) her size and her ability."
