UPEI hockey coaches named to Team Canada’s coaching staff for 2027 Winter Universiade

UPEI Men’s Hockey head coach Forbes MacPherson and UPEI Women’s Hockey head coach Sean Fisher have been named to Team Canada's coaching staff for the 2027 Winter Universiade in Changchun, China.

MacPherson will be head coach of the Canadian men’s hockey team at the 33rd world university winter games, while Fisher will be an assistant coach with the Canadian women’s hockey team. 

“These appointments continue UPEI’s strong tradition of contributing to the development of university hockey in Canada and internationally,” said Jane Vessey, Director of Athletics and Recreation at UPEI. “We are incredibly proud of Forbes and Sean. Their selection reflects the outstanding work they have done at UPEI and the respect they have earned within the hockey community. Representing Team Canada is a tremendous honour, and we know they will serve the program with distinction.”

Now entering his 18th season as head coach, MacPherson has been instrumental in the men’s hockey program’s success. The Stratford, PEI, native has led the Panthers to the AUS playoffs in each of 17 seasons and helped establish a culture of excellence on and off the ice. Under his leadership, UPEI hosted the 2023 U SPORTS Men’s Hockey Championship; approximately 10 hockey student-athletes earned U SPORTS Academic All-Canadian honours annually; and numerous players advanced to professional hockey careers in North America and Europe.

MacPherson’s appointment as head coach of Team Canada’s men’s hockey for the 2027 Winter Universiade marks his third international assignment. He previously served as an assistant coach on Canada’s gold medal-winning hockey teams in 2013 and 2025.

A former player at UNB and UPEI, MacPherson enjoyed a professional playing career in the CHL, ECHL, and AHL before moving into coaching and hockey operations. 

The selection of Fisher for Team Canada’s coaching staff, alongside his UPEI Panthers colleague, further showcases the strength of the University’s hockey program and its growing influence on the national hockey landscape.

Fisher brings more than 20 years of coaching experience in women’s hockey, including six seasons at the University of Manitoba where he helped the Bisons capture their first U SPORTS Women’s Hockey Championship in 2018 and later led the team back to nationals as interim head coach in 2019.

After a successful season in Austria with the EHV Sabres women’s hockey club (now SKN Sabres St. Pölten), highlighted by an Austrian national championship and international medals, Fisher was named head coach of the UPEI Panthers women's hockey team in 2022.

Since arriving at UPEI, he has guided the Panthers to continued growth and success while helping student-athletes earn numerous AUS awards and honours. Under his leadership, Panthers players have also excelled academically, earning 73 U SPORTS Academic All-Canadian selections in just four seasons.

The Winter Universiade will take place from January 15 to 25, 2027, in Changchun, China. Team Canada hockey rosters will be announced in the coming months as preparations continue for the international competition.