STAY CONNECTED: Have the stories that matter most delivered every night to your email inbox. Subscribe to our daily local news wrap.
NWP CEO and President Dr. Vanessa Sheana and Grande Prairie Mayor Jackie Clayton pose with NWP Wolves mascot at women's hockey home ice announcement at Design Works Centre on May 8, 2026. (Image Credit: Erika Rolling)
By Erika Rolling
ACAC

Design Works Centre named home of NWP Wolves women’s hockey

May 11, 2026 | 12:35 PM

The inaugural season for Northwestern Polytechnic’s Women’s Hockey team will be played at Grande Prairie’s Design Works Centre.

The unveiling of the Wolves logo on the Weyerhaeuser Arena’s ice marked a new opportunity for women student athletes in northern Alberta.

The Wolves will be the seventh team in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) league.

NWP President and CEO Vanessa Sheane with Wolves mascot for women's hockey announcement at Design Works Centre on May 8, 2026.
NWP President and CEO Vanessa Sheane with Wolves mascot for women’s hockey announcement at Design Works Centre on May 8, 2026. (Image Credit: Erika Rolling)

Dr. Vanessa Sheane, NWP President ad CEO says they chose to start with just a women’s hockey team for a reason.

“Quite honestly, there more opportunities for male athletes to play after they exit minor hockey… and the demand we saw in the region and province throughout the athletic conference, is a demand for more women’s hockey teams.”

Sheane says they’ve been actively working on getting the team assembled and details ironed out for over a year.

“There’s a whole process of course. You have to go through the ACAC for approval and whatnot… and then of course, the partnership with the City is a big component, and just the community support and community drive to help make this a reality.”

NWP Wolves logo on ice at Design Works Centre.
NWP Wolves logo on ice at Design Works Centre. (Image Credit: Erika Rolling)

Centre ice now includes the Design Works Centre naming rights around the Wolves logo. The institution says this creates a strong partnership and connection between the team and facility.

Mayor Jackie Clayton says in a release by that the partnership between the City and post-secondary school; “Creates new opportunities for athletes and continues to build on Grande Prairie’s reputation as a games city and a leader in sport hosting.”

The Wolves women’s hockey program is slated to hit the ice in Fall 2026. The home opener game is scheduled for October 9, 2026.

by Erika Rolling