Veteran defenceman Weir commits to UBC Thunderbirds

Career Red Deer Rebel Jace Weir is ready to take flight with the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds.

The veteran blueliner has committed to UBC for the 2025-26 season upon the conclusion of his WHL eligibility.

Weir, who clocks in at 6-foot-2, 176 pounds, graduates from the Rebels with the second-most games played by a Red Deer defenceman (279).

The 20-year-old spent five seasons in Central Alberta, picking up 13 goals and 74 assists for 87 points in 279 games over five seasons.

“Being here for five years and coming up with the same guys, I think it makes it extra special,” Weir said in an interview with the WHL in February. “I’ve grown up here and the memories that I’ve made here will last me forever.”

The Coldstream, B.C. product also contributed six assists in 31 postseason matches.

Weir was recently recognized as the 2024-25 winner of Red Deer’s Humanitarian Award for his work off the ice and in the community.

He joins a Thunderbirds team chock-full of former WHLers who are eager to battle for a championship after last seizing the Canada West title in 2024.

“I’ve played the last five years in Alberta and I’ve loved it, but going into school and other things to think about, I just thought UBC was the best fit for me both on the ice and off the ice,” Weir told UBC’s Jeff Sargeant. “I love the Vancouver area, I’ve been there many, many times and I’m very comfortable there. I met the coaches, they’re top tier. They showed me around and I saw the campus at UBC, it’s crazy what it has to offer and I just loved everything about it. I’m really happy.”

Weir will also reunite with his former Rebels teammate and alternate captain Chris Douglas, who played 250 regular-season games with Red Deer from 2016-21.