Team of the Week: UBC Thunderbirds Women's Hockey

Ranked number one in the country the UBC women's hockey team is also rallying to defeat a different kind of opponent - the stigma around mental health.

Top ranked T-Birds honour former teammate by raising awareness around mental health

Karin Larsen · CBC News · Posted: Jan 15, 2017 1:00 PM EST | Last Updated: January 15, 2017

The UBC hockey team honoured goalie Laura Taylor by retiring her #29 jersey. Taylor died last year. (UBC Athletics)

So far it's been a season to remember for the UBC women's hockey team, but not just because of their near-perfect record.

Ranked number one in the country with 16 wins and two losses, the T-Birds have also rallied to fight an opponent of the non-hockey variety — the stigma around mental health.

Last April UBC goalie and medical student Laura Taylor passed away after a battle with depression and bipolar disorder.

Taylor's number 29 jersey was retired in a ceremony that included her parents last week. Players dedicated the game to those fighting the effects of mental illness.

"I think mental illness is a huge thing and something we need to break the stigma around," Nicole Saxvik told the UBC communications team. "With LT, it will be with us forever."

Sneak peek at the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/bellletstalk?src=hash">#bellletstalk</a> initiative shot by <a href="https://twitter.com/RichLamPhoto">@richlamphoto</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/mentalhealthawareness?src=hash">#mentalhealthawareness</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Bell">@bell</a> 💚💜💙 <a href="https://t.co/rhG2cLM1Nn">pic.twitter.com/rhG2cLM1Nn</a>
—@UBCWHKY