Photo Credit: Freeze Frame Photos
After four seasons of success, national championships and a remarkable 109-3-3 record, the Sault College Cougars women’s hockey program is entering a new chapter.
For the 2026-2027 season, the Cougars have moved up from Division II to Division I in the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA), bringing a successful program to a new level of competition.
The move represents another step in the growth of a program that has established itself as a destination for student-athletes looking to continue their education while competing at a high level.
Head coach Megan Dubas is excited about the challenge ahead and believes her players are ready to test themselves against some of the best competition in the ACHA.
“As a coach, I am excited to see our team play at the highest level in the ACHA and see how they respond to playing competitive games back-to-back,” said Dubas. “I think they are all ready for the challenge!”
For Dubas, the move to Division I is also a reflection of the work that has gone into building the program since its beginning.
“What it means to this program is that we are and have been building a competitive team for the last four seasons,” she said. “It means that Sault College is a growing destination for post-secondary education and playing D1 ACHA hockey.”
A New Level of Competition
Moving to Division I will bring a different level of speed, physicality and competition, but the Cougars have already had opportunities to see what awaits them.
Over the past four seasons, Sault College has faced Division I programs including Niagara, the University of Michigan and Lake Superior State University.
Those experiences have given the Cougars a glimpse of the pace they can expect throughout the upcoming season.
“We know to expect a fast pace, physical game,” Dubas explained.
One of the biggest challenges will be maintaining the conditioning necessary to compete against Division I opponents, particularly when games come in succession.
“Conditioning has been a huge focus since the players went home in April and will continue to be weekly,” said Dubas.
The Cougars will also need to make adjustments quickly once the puck drops.
“D1 teams don’t give you time and space, so we will have to adjust by reading and reacting quickly,” she said. “We will have to use our speed and quick exits efficiently.”
Veteran Leadership
One of the advantages for Sault College heading into its first Division I season is the experience returning to the lineup.
Several players have been part of the Cougars program for multiple seasons and have experienced its growth firsthand.
That veteran presence could be especially important as the program makes the jump.
“Our experience is going to be huge,” said Dubas. “Knowing that a majority of our team has seen Division 1 teams play will only help with preparation and expectations.”
The coaching staff will be looking to those returning players to help establish the standard for the new season.
“Our veteran leadership and confidence are going to be extremely important as we make this transition,” Dubas added. “They understand what it takes to compete at a high level and they can help set the standard for our younger players.”
The returning players have also provided plenty of encouragement during the offseason through their commitment and attention to detail.
Dubas said the players understand just how far the program has come since its first season and have embraced the work required to continue moving forward.
“Their commitment, consistency, and willingness to learn have been really encouraging as we prepare for the next chapter,” she said.
Four New Elite Forwards
The transition to Division I has also meant building a roster capable of competing at that level.
With the program knowing as early as November 2025 that it would be moving up, Sault College’s scouting staff had additional time to identify players who could contribute to the Cougars’ next chapter.
Dubas believes the program has added four elite forwards who have the potential to make an immediate impact.
“Our scouting staff did a great job finding four elite forwards that are capable of contributing right away,” said Dubas.
The Cougars were looking for specific qualities in their new additions, including speed, hockey intelligence, offensive creativity and a willingness to compete.
“Qualities like speed, ability to get off the wall, make plays, drive the net, high hockey IQ, relentlessness and work ethic are what we look for in elite players,” Dubas said.
With new players joining an established core, developing chemistry will be an important part of the early season.
The returning players already understand the culture and expectations of the program, while the newcomers bring their own experiences and strengths.
“Chemistry is going to be extremely important as we make the transition to Division 1,” said Dubas.
“Our veteran players understand our culture and what we expect within the program, while our new additions bring different experiences and strengths.”
Building trust and getting everyone on the same page will be a major focus.
“If our veterans lead the way, and our new players embrace our standard, I think we can build a strong foundation and continue to grow together as a team,” she said.
Three Local Players
The 2026-2027 Cougars roster also features three local players, providing a strong connection between the Sault College program and the local hockey community.
On defence, Sault Ste. Marie’s Matea Glavota and Garden River’s Maiana Boissoneau will represent the Cougars.
Forward Annika Babineau also returns to the roster, giving the program three local players heading into its first Division I campaign.
Their presence adds another local connection to a program that continues to grow within the Sault Ste. Marie and Algoma region.
Growing Every Day
While the move to Division I brings excitement, the Cougars know there will be a learning curve.
Dubas isn’t looking for her players to simply adjust to the new level. She wants them to embrace the challenge and use every game as an opportunity to improve.
“I want our players to understand that they should be working to improve every single day,” said Dubas.
“We have to get comfortable being uncomfortable, and that starts with being willing to identify and work on areas of weakness.”
That approach will be important throughout the season as Sault College faces new opponents and experiences situations it may not have encountered during its Division II run.
“As a team, I just want us to improve every single game, continue to learn from our experiences and compete every time we step on the ice,” Dubas said.
“If we can develop that mindset throughout the season, I think we will continue to grow both individually and as a team.”
A New Chapter Begins
After four seasons that produced a 109-3-3 record and national championships, expectations surrounding the Cougars program remain high.
But the move to Division I provides an opportunity to measure the program against a new level of competition.
For Dubas, the focus entering the season is on the players, the process and embracing the opportunity in front of them.
“I believe this group has the ability to accomplish a lot together,” she said. “We have a good mix of experience, talent, and players who are willing to put in the work.”
The first Division I games will mark a significant moment in the history of Sault College women’s hockey.
Dubas wants her players to embrace that moment while remaining focused on the things they can control.
“As we take the ice for the first time in Division 1, I want our players to embrace the opportunity, compete, and play with confidence,” she said.
“We know there will be a learning curve but I want us to focus on controlling what we can control, getting better every day and representing our program the right way.”
And while the level of competition will be different, the expectation to compete remains the same.
“Most importantly, I want to see us compete for 60 minutes and never back down from the challenge.”
For a Sault College program that has already accomplished so much in its first four seasons, the 2026-2027 campaign represents something different — an opportunity to build on that foundation and see what the Cougars can accomplish at the Division I level.
2026-2027 Sault College Cougars Roster
# Player (Position) Program (Hometown)
1 Ruby Jones (Goalie) Police Foundations (Victoria, BC)
2 Maddy Fick (Defence) Bachelor of Science Nursing )Comox, BC)
3 Ava Bois (Forward) Bachelor of Science Nursing (Sudbury, ON)
5 Paige Schurer (Forward) Honours Bachelor of Science Nursing (Huntsville, ON)
6 Mira Morgan (Forward) Police Foundations (Vancouver, BC)
7 Danika West (Forward) Police Foundations (Englehart, ON)
8 Lydia Steen (Defence) Bachelor of Science Nursing (Ladysmith, BC)
9 Aaliyah Fantazir (Forward) Bachelor of Science Nursing (Lethbridge, AB)
10 Zoe Weaver (Forward) Bachelor of Science Nursing (Barrie, ON)
11 Abygail McDonald (Defence) General Arts and Science (Inuvik, NT)
12 Maia Hammell (Forward) Occupational Therapist Assistant and Physiotherapist Assistant (Naughton, ON)
14 Gracie Dale (Forward) Natural Environment Technician (Sudbury, ON)
15 Lily Wallsmith (Defence) Bachelor of Science Nursing (Pitt Meadows, BC)
16 Taryn Sullivan (Forward) Occupational Therapist Assistant and Physiotherapist Assistant (Aylmer, ON)
17 Materia Land (Forward) Bachelor of Science Nursing (Sudbury, ON)
18 Tara Knight (Forward) Business Marketing (Hamiota, MB)
19 Matea Glavota (Defence) Occupational Therapist Assistant and Physiotherapist Assistant (Sault Ste. Marie, ON)
20 Alyssa Guy (Forward) Occupational Therapist Assistant and Physiotherapist Assistant (Redcliff, AB)
21 Katelynn Jacques (Forward) Bachelor of Science Nursing (Sudbury, ON)
22 Annika Babineau (Forward) General Arts and Science (Sault Ste. Marie, ON)
24 Ophelia Lucas-Engberg (Defence) Bachelor of Science Nursing (Fort Frances, ON)
25 Payton Stos (Forward) General Arts and Science (Sudbury, ON)
26 Maiana Boissoneau (Defence) Business (Garden River, ON)
27 Reece Laidlaw (Forward) Natural Environment Technician (Aylmer, ON)
30 Farrah Farstad (Goalie) General Arts and Science (Sudbury, ON)
33 Denali Forsyth (Goalie) Business (Salmon Arm, BC)
