Two UPEI Men’s Hockey players and coach selected to represent Canada at FISU World Games

Two UPEI Men’s Hockey student-athletes and head coach Forbes MacPherson are headed to the international stage.

Panthers captain Kurtis Henry and assistant captain Kaleb Pearson have been selected to play with Team Canada’s hockey team at the 2025 International University Sports Federation (FISU) World Games in Italy this month. MacPherson will serve as an assistant coach—his second time coaching in the FISU World Games. 

Over 2,000 student-athletes from 57 countries will compete in 11 sports during the 32nd edition of the FISU Games. The men’s hockey event runs from January 12–22, with the preliminary round in Pinerolo before moving to Torino’s Tazzoli ice sports facility for the medal round. 

Led by two-time U SPORTS Coach of the Year Mark Howell (University of Calgary Dinos), the Team Canada roster comprises five players from the Canada West conference, 12 from the Ontario University Athletics (OUA), and six from the Atlantic University Sport (AUS). 

Pearson, a 24-year-old six-foot forward from St. Mary’s, Ontario, has nine goals and 17 points in 15 regular-season games during the 2024–25 AUS Men’s Hockey Conference campaign. Henry is a 24-year-old six-foot-two defenceman from Niagara Falls, Ontario. Both players said they are excited to play for Team Canada and represent U SPORTS alongside each other and their coach. The 2025 FISU World Games will mark the first international playing experience for Henry and Pearson.

Two years after a thrilling gold-medal performance in men’s hockey at the 2023 FISU Winter World University Games in Lake Placid, New York, Team Canada is ready to chase gold once again. Team Canada plays its first game on Saturday, January 11, against South Korea. 

Go Panthers Go!