This generation of Warriors women's hockey – defined by resilience, drive, and historic results – embark on another journey for their magnum opus, their centrepiece, their place in U SPORTS folklore. For the second consecutive year, Waterloo Region, Woolwich Township, and the Town of Elmira, Ontario, serves as the backdrop for the black and gold to take on Canada's best in 2026.
The 2026 Miller Waste U SPORTS Women's Hockey Championship, taking place from March 19-22 at the Woolwich Memorial Centre, is significant for a plethora of a reasons. Firstly, it serves as yet another marquee moment for women's sports, and the Waterloo community; with the nation tuning in. For the first time ever, the gold medal game will be broadcast on CBC cable television, with the rest of the games available to stream on CBC Sports digital platforms. Additionally, the Warriorsresume their duties as national hosts, with the opportunity to become the first host champion since the Concordia Stingers in 1998; the first ever U SPORTS women's hockey championship.
In an OUA regular season full of twists and turns, there was no shortage of magic moments. Two multi-goal comeback OT victories in less than seven days, and a new queen atop the program's all-time goal scoring list…and of course…who could forget THAT 10-game winning streak, or the Warriors' class of 10 student-athlete graduates for that matter?
With how historic the tournament 12 months ago was, the Warriors have not lifted their foot off the pedal in lieu of another charge at the championship.
Despite a heartbreaking triple-overtime defeat to the Guelph Gryphons in game three of the McCaw Cup Playoffs' first round, head coach Shaun Reagan could not be more ecstatic that this team still has more life in them, and commented on the vibes around the rink these past few days.
"It's really upbeat," Reagan mentions. "We have a great veteran group, and we're at home again. We're jacked up for sure, and it's a very exciting time right now."
The team's experience on the national stage has grown at an exponential level. When the puck drops next Thursday, the Warriors will have kicked off their third national championship appearance in succession; earning silver in last year's event, and a fourth-place finish in Saskatoon in 2024.
With this tournament signaling the last dance for 10 Warriors, Reagan reflects on his time coaching a group he has valued dearly.
"It's been outstanding," he mentions. "You get to see them grow. A lot of them were here through the pandemic too, so it's been a journey of six years with some. They also challenge you as a coach as well. The growth together has been great."
Having not reached the McCaw Cup Final, the Warriors will be accompanied by two other OUA representatives at this year's tournament. Guelph went on to defeat Ottawa in another close game in the McCaw Cup final, 2-1, and both the Gryphons and Gee-Gees will be in Elmira, making it the first time in the tournament's history that three teams from the same conference will take part. Under the new format introduced by U SPORTS this season, the number of representatives from each conference is now decided by a points system based on success in past national championships. At least one OUA representative has played in five of the last six gold medal games, but no Ontario-based team has won since Guelph in 2019.
"That first game as everyone says, is the most important game of the tournament," Reagan adds. "You win, and you're playing for a medal. It's a massive event, and we're looking forward to getting out there again in front of some large crowds, so we'rereally excited."
With the Warriors kickstarting their tournament last year by knocking off the #1 seeded Alberta Pandas, only time will tell if Elmira remains a happy hunting ground for the black and gold.
