As announced on Wednesday (Nov. 4) night in Waterloo, University of Toronto Varsity Blues field hockey captain Maggie Mullins has been named the 2026 U SPORTS Player of the Year receiving the Liz Hoffman Award.

A fourth-year midfielder and defender, Mullins was a crucial piece in the Blues staunch defensive play this fall. The team captain appeared in all 12 regular season matches and both OUA postseason contests. Along with her ability to shut down opponent attacks and quickly transition to offensive opportunities for U of T, she also added two goals herself this season. Along with national Player of the Year, Mullins was also named a U SPORTS All-Canadian for a second consecutive season.

This marks the seventh time a Varsity Blue has received the national honour since 1992 and the first since Tegan Stairs in 2015. Prior to the national championship this week, her incredible play on the pitch and leadership also garnered her both OUA MVP and OUA all-star honours.

The Varsity Blues open the 2026 National Bank Field Hockey Canada U SPORTS Championship, presented by Farm Mutual Re, with a round-robin match versus the Canada West champion UBC Thunderbirds tomorrow afternoon. Action is set to begin at 4 p.m. from Warrior Field in Waterloo.