Leah Copeland has been named the interim head coach of the Pandas Hockey program for the 2026‑27 season, stepping into a leadership role that bridges her storied playing career with her recent coaching experience.
A three‑time national champion and former Panda student‑athlete, Copeland helped guide the team to two CIS Championships in 2007 and 2010 before embarking on a coaching path that would later culminate in a U SPORTS title in 2018.
Having spent eight combined seasons as both a student‑athlete and an assistant coach, she brings a deep familiarity with the program’s culture and expectations, having worked closely under longtime mentor Howie Draper during the championship‑winning campaign.
Building on Past Successes
Copeland, who has spent the past decade teaching, serving as an assistant principal, and coaching youth sports in Edmonton, returns to the university with a vision to expand the program’s reach and competitiveness, leveraging her experience both on and off the ice.
She expressed enthusiasm for the interim appointment, noting that the upcoming season provides a platform to reinforce the program’s foundations while the search for a permanent head coach unfolds after the 2026‑27 season.