First UBC Thunderbird drafted into Professional Women's Hockey League
For the first time ever, a UBC Thunderbird heard their name called on PWHL draft night (June 24). That milestone moment belonged to Chanreet Bassi (BA'25), who was selected in the sixth round (48th overall) by Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) Vancouver.
The Lake Country, BC, native is the sixth U SPORTS athlete to be drafted since the PWHL formed in 2023, and the lone U SPORTS selection in the 2025 draft. Bassi becomes the second T-Bird to hit the PWHL ranks and the first to do so via the league’s draft. She joins former teammate Rylind MacKinnon who signed with the Toronto Sceptres as an undrafted free agent last fall and is now a member of the Boston Fleet.
"It's historic for sure," said Thunderbirds head coach Graham Thomas. "Obviously Rylind last year making it and signing for a second year in the league was really exciting for our program, and now another first…. Chanreet is such a dedicated player. She's so focused with everything she does in her training, her sleep, her preparation, everything—she's already training like a pro and she has been for years."
"It's a great moment and very exciting, for our program to show that there's a pathway through U SPORTS, through UBC, through Canada West. The PWHL is growing and so are the opportunities for players all around the world and in all leagues."
Closing out strong 💪
— PWHL Vancouver (@PWHL__Vancouver) June 25, 2025
BC's own Chanreet Bassi is the first South Asian player to be drafted to the PWHL! pic.twitter.com/TtUp0MSCHA
Bassi ended her UBC career as a four-time Canada West All-Star, tallying an incredible 134 points (51 goals, 83 assists) in 166 games. Her 116 career Canada West regular season points are tied with Tatiana Rafter for the most in program history.
She finished top three in the conference in regular season scoring each of the last four years, including leading all skaters in 2021-22, just her second season wearing the blue and gold.
Bassi also tied for first in playoff points in the 2022 postseason, with five points (two goals, three assists) in just three games. One of those two goals was the conference championship clincher, as she scored the overtime winner in Game 2 of the Canada West Final against the Saskatchewan Huskies, winning UBC's first conference banner in five years and doing it on home ice.
🏒 WHKY | Chanreet Bassi’s overtime winner is the difference cementing @UBCWHKY as @CanadaWest champions following a 1-0 victory over @HuskieAthletics & taking the series 2-0!#GoBirdsGo pic.twitter.com/abyCUE8LSg
— UBC Thunderbirds (@ubctbirds) March 13, 2022
That victory began a string of three consecutive Canada West titles, followed by another Finals appearance this past season. Bassi remained a consistent force throughout her time with the T-Birds, scoring 39 goals over her last three campaigns and recording 101 points in 109 games overall during that stretch.
Her offensive exploits in 2024-25 featured seven multi-point games, including a hat trick against the Manitoba Bisons in November, the first of her career.
"She plays tough, plays gritty, can play a physical brand, and handle the physicality," added Thomas. "She has an engine—she never stops and is always aggressive and competitive…. She's got great skill, great hands, and a great shot."
"She's learned and grown so much in her six years here and matured a lot on and off the ice…. It's very impressive how hard she's worked. She's always been that way—she's a very hard-working player."
Bassi is one of five players selected by PWHL Vancouver in the franchise's first-ever draft. She will fight to earn her place on the final roster at training camp ahead of the upcoming 2025-26 season, which begins in the fall.
All PWHL Vancouver home games will be played inside Pacific Coliseum at the PNE. PWHL games are broadcast primarily on TSN, with select games shown on CBC and Prime Video.
The UBC Thunderbirds begin their quest for a seventh Canada West championship on October 3, when they face off against MacEwan on the opening night of the 2025-26 season.
