When Chanreet Bassi heard her name called on PWHL draft night, she was beyond excited. With that announcement, Bassi not only secured her place in professional hockey but also made history as the first South Asian player drafted into the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL).
A standout forward from the University of British Columbia (UBC) Thunderbirds, she also became the first UBC athlete to be selected in the league's draft.
Her journey to this milestone started at just four years old, inspired by watching her older brother play. “My parents first got the idea because one of my cousins played,” she shares. What began as a family-inspired activity soon turned into a passion that would shape her entire life. Growing up in Kelowna, Bassi lived just five minutes from the city’s main ice rink. She often watched Western Hockey League (WHL) teams and looked up to players like Shea Weber, Brendan Gallagher, Tyson Baillie, and Leon Draisaitl.
"Some of the WHL players gave me multiple stickers and signed jerseys; I looked up to those players a lot," she remembers. Bassi also drew inspiration from NHL stars. "I especially remember looking up to Sidney Crosby," she says. Among her other NHL idols were Brendan Gallagher, who went on to have a successful NHL career, and Martin St. Louis, now the head coach of the Montreal Canadiens.
Bassi’s path to professional hockey wasn’t without challenges. For her, the sacrifices began early and stayed with her through university. "You have to sacrifice a lot, like time and vacations. You're training every day and staying consistent," she reveals. "We never went on vacations as a family because of hockey sometimes."
Balancing the demands of sport with academics was another test of resilience, especially when there was no professional league yet for women’s hockey in Canada. It is worth mentioning that the PWHL, established in 2023 with six teams—three based in the United States and three in Canada—launched its inaugural season in 2024. The league expanded in its third season (2025–26) to include new teams in Seattle and Vancouver.
Anyhow, despite the obstacles, Bassi’s determination never wavered, and her parents were a constant source of support. "My experience is actually the opposite of what people assume. My parents put us in four or five different sports. They really encouraged hockey because they were drawn to how competitive it was. It kept us busy, out of trouble, and helped us make connections."
Her upbringing on the family’s cherry farm in Lake Country, B.C., also played a pivotal role in shaping her work ethic. “That kind of lifestyle is definitely more blue-collar, especially when you’re working for the family,” she says. “We did everything, including digging holes and planting every single tree by hand. My brother and I would work in 40-degree summers. That said, my brother and I’ve only really done half of what my mom and dad have. Nevertheless, it was hard work, especially when we were first getting our farm up and running.” That relentless work ethic would serve her well on the ice, where she became known for her grit and determination.
Over her six-year career with the UBC Thunderbirds, Bassi earned a reputation as a fierce competitor and a team leader. She graduated as a four-time Canada West All-Star, tying the record for all-time career points at UBC with 116 regular-season points. Her performance was consistently stellar as she finished in the top three in conference scoring for four consecutive years and played a crucial role in delivering three straight Canada West championships to her team. In the 2022 postseason, she scored the championship-winning overtime goal, a defining moment that secured UBC’s first conference title in five years.
Bassi’s coach, Graham Thomas, praises Bassi’s dedication and talent: “Chanreet is such a dedicated player. She's so focused on everything she does in her training: her sleep, her preparation, everything. She's already training like a pro, and she has been training for years. She's got great skill, great hands, and a great shot.” As UBC Women’s Hockey Head Coach, Thomas is happy to see that the PWHL is growing, alongside opportunities for players all around the world and in all leagues.
For Bassi, getting drafted into the PWHL is a huge accomplishment, but the journey isn’t over. "Getting drafted was exciting, but now the biggest goal is to make the team," she highlights. “It means a lot. It’s been a goal ever since the PWHL came about. I’m super grateful, especially to everyone who helped me along the way and put so much time and effort into supporting me in this sport.”
Beyond her career, Bassi understands the significance of her achievement for the South Asian community. "I hope younger athletes know that they can do it," she emphasizes. "When I was growing up, I never had that role model of a woman playing in the PWHL. I want the younger generation to see that they can, if they put their mind to it." The impact of Bassi’s success is already rippling through her community, offering visibility and inspiration where it was once absent.
As she prepares to compete for her place on PWHL Vancouver’s final roster, Bassi’s story stands as a powerful reminder of what’s possible through hard work, sacrifice, and unwavering belief in oneself. Her journey is not just about making history, but about paving the way for others, breaking barriers, and opening doors for the next generation of athletes to walk through with confidence and pride!
