The Maritime Women’s Basketball Association executive and teams is set to roll for 2026.
Following a Feb. 23 meeting, the MWBA still has some work to do finalizing some venues and game times, but the adopted schedule listed on the website is pretty much set in stone when it comes to dates.
Here is a recap of the session:
Team Updates
Fredericton Freeze: The Freeze has a new coach and general manager with Bram Russell taking the reins. The club is in the midst of finalizing its roster, with player signings to be announced next month. Russell indicated there has been solid community partnerships for the 2026 season and the management team will continue to pound the pavement to help off-set operating costs. The Freeze will play its regular season games at the Lady Beaverbrook Gymnasium on the campus of the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton.
Halifax Hornets: Long-time volunteer Janice King has stepped away from the Hornets’ organization and MWBA veteran player Jasmine Parent will join general manager Mark Forward to lead the group moving, well, forward. Sophia Widmeyer has re-joined the organization as an assistant coach and the search is on for a new head coach for the 2026 season. Halifax has announced some players to its roster and will continue to add.
Halifax Thunder: The perennial-contending Thunder is anticipating seeing new faces this season. Thunder has held a number of key veterans over the years and as 2026 beckons, general manager Brandon Rafuse anticipates seeing new blood wearing team colours. The team is in the midst of finding potential new business partners in a tough and crowded Halifax market. Rafuse indicated the program is ahead of last year at this time.
Lake City 56ers: The Dartmouth/Cole Harbour/Preston squad won the regular season championship in 2025 and lost a heart-breaking championship game in overtime to Miramichi Her-icanes before a large crowd at Fredericton’s Richard J. Currie Center. It was second trip in as many years to the championship game as the team hunts for its first title. General manager Colter Simmonds
Miramichi Her-Icanes: The reigning PROLINE Legacy Cup champion Her-Icanes are anticipating roster turnover this season and are also on the hunt for a new head coach with Neil Smith moving on to other projects. Miramichi has always had an outstanding volunteer committee and offer one of the best game day experiences in the MWBA. Watters indicated volunteer meetings will continue as management works toward player recruitment.
Moncton Mystics: The Mystics will return with its usual flair for hosting home games and a young roster that struggled early last season before finding its identify will continue this season. General manager Shannon Parlee will be announcing roster signings soon including a key returning veteran. Moncton will play its second season out of Crandall University. Troy Mckenzie will return to the Mystics as head coach.
Port City Fog of Saint John: The Fog will return to University of New Brunswick at Saint John for its home games and continue its rebuild. After going to the championship game in 2023, Port City has lost some key veterans to retirement as general manager Paul Hickey and his staff hunt for players. Dominic Laviolette will return as head coach to the Fog, who have some younger players who now understand how tough the league is day in, day out.
Truro Tidal Queens: The expansion Tidal Queens have created a wave of publicity since the franchise was announced. Truro shot out of the gate announcing veteran Lonnie States as its first-ever coach and signing a bevy of players. The Tidal Queens will play our of Dalhousie Agricultural Campus in its inaugural season. The club is hosting two open runs this week to allow players an opportunity to wear the team jersey for the first time. Former Atlantic University Sport sharpshooter Kendra MacKinnon was announces as Truro’s first signing.
Partnerships
MWBA founding partners Royale and Medavie have moved on to other pursuits, but the league certainly struck gold with the announced PRO•LINE would be its presenting partner for 2026. PRO•LINE came on board last season as major partner for the Legacy Cup championship in Fredericton. More league partnerships are expected to be announced in March. If your company is interesting in joining the MWBA for its fifth-year anniversary season and beyond, reach out to mwba.league@gmail.com for further information.
Championship Weekend
The league is in the process of finalizing a venue for PRO•LINE Legacy Cup Final Four. The championship weekend is set for June 20-21 and will have two teams from the Nova Scotia and two from New Brunswick following provincial playoffs.
Rosters
It is anticipated each team can carry a minimum of 12 players, but can also expand to 14 and operate with an emergency player pool for call ups if injury or events occur. All players need to play at least six games to be eligible for post-season play.
– Eight teams are set for 2026 including Halifax Hornets and city rival Halifax Thunder. (DW Photo)
