International success, last-second wins highlight best U Sports moments of 2023

In a year that featured the return of the FISU World University Games, last-minute title-clinching goals and underdog teams winning championships, 2023 was a memorable year for U Sports. 

As the year comes to a close, we take a look back at 10 standout stories from Canadian university sports in 2023.

WATCH | Top U Sports moments of the year:

Gold medals in men's and women's hockey at the World University Games had eluded Canada since both teams won in Trentino, Italy in 2013. 

Yet, at Herb Brooks Arena in Lake Placid, NY, Canada won both competitions, securing golds on the ice that hosted USA Hockey's "Miracle on Ice" at the 1980 Winter Olympics. 

Built of U Sports all-stars on both sides, Canada's men's team featured seven NHL Draft Picks and was the buzz of the tournament from the opening day. Led by head coach Gardiner MacDougall, who would later go on to lead the University of New Brunswick Reds to the University Cup title, Canada outscored opponents 37-5 in the group stage before beating Kazakhstan and the USA in the semifinal and final.

By topping the preliminary stage, Games organizers gave the Canadian team locker room five, the same room that housed Team USA at the 1980 Games. 

"You can't really draw it up any better, Canada and USA at Herb Brooks Arena; it's unique and really special," Team Canada's Matt Struthers said, gold medal around his neck. "It's something you dream of as a kid, and to win like that is super special."

Canada’s gold medalist Scout Watkins-Southward:<br><br>“Speechless, amazing, the best feeling in the entire world, this is something I’ve dreamt of since I started playing hockey.”<br><br>Hear from the <a href="https://twitter.com/queensgaels?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@queensgaels</a>