There was no one tougher. There was no one more determined. There was no one more ferocious. And there may be no one who better exemplifies what a Timberwolf should be on the court. It is nearly impossible to tell the story of UNBC women’s basketball without mentioning the name Kady Dandeneau.
Over the course of a historic career in UNBC colours, Dandeneau emerged as the heartbeat of a program, raising the bar and setting the gold standard for commitment, making her a truly deserving inductee into the UNBC Timberwolves Wall of Honour.
Dandeneau made her way onto UNBC coach Loralyn Murdoch’s radar at the BC high school provincial triple-A championships, impressing the TWolves’ bench boss with her relentless game representing Stelly’s Secondary. After a visit to UNBC’s Prince George campus, she accepted a spot on Murdoch’s roster for the 2007-2008 season. After decommitting to attend Camosun College, the Pender Island product decided UNBC was the best place for her, after all.
“She was 17 years old, and she was such an interesting recruit. She wore headphones most of the time, she didn’t speak to anyone, and was clearly shy,” said Murdoch. “But then we put her on the court and there was absolutely no one who competed harder. I wanted her immediately, and recognized what she could add to our roster. It was a great day for this coach to officially sign Kady Dandeneau.”
It didn’t take long for the first-year to step right into the lineup and make a difference. Led by veterans Laurel Wallace and Jaclyn Nazareno, the Timberwolves went 11-5, good for second place in the BCCAA standings. Dandeneau was sensational, scoring 12.3 points per game, which was good for top-10 in the conference. She added 4.9 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game.
“I know that Kady was a rookie, but it’s hard for me to remember her that way. Kady was never really ever a rookie, not in spirit,” said teammates Soili Smith, who was in her third UNBC campaign that season. “I don’t think I ever met someone so devoted to the game of basketball. She was unafraid to take anyone one-on-one and, like her idol Michael Jordan, took every play by an opponent personally.”
According to Smith, Dandeneau had made every effort to be physically ready to compete at the collegiate level and it paid off on the court.
“She spent the whole summer aggressively training to get faster and stronger than she already was. Most people only really get strong during university,” said Smith. “Kady showed up that way. She was the youngest player on our team, and she would rip the ball out of the hands of players who were twice her size.”
In the playoffs, the first-year continued to assert herself, as the Timberwolves went on a tremendous run, culminating in a 71-54 victory over Camosun and a BCCAA Provincial Championship. At the conclusion of the season, she was named to the BCCAA All-Rookie Team, and was crowned UNBC Rookie of the Year.
She continued growth and had a massive impact of the program in her second season as Dandeneau utilized her signature commitment to grow as a player. Tremendously gifted, she worked diligently to master the mental and emotional side of the game. According to Murdoch, her second-year forward would be unstoppable once she developed the wisdom and basketball IQ that set the great players apart.
“I knew, even in her first year, that the only potentially limiting factor Kady may have in her career might be herself,” said Murdoch. “Even by year two, her mental game was much less limiting than it had been in her rookie season, and she was truly developing into an even more amazing, consistent, talented player and teammate. If we could keep her out of early foul trouble, I knew we always had a shot to be on the right side of the scoreboard.”
The Timberwolves went 14-4, again finishing second in the BCCAA standings. They would settle for a provincial silver medal after a loss to rival Camosun, but Dandeneau further established herself as a premier player in the conference. She scored 223 points (third in BCCAA) for 12.4 points per game (5th), to go along with 7.2 rebounds per game (6th) and 2.2 assists (top-20). She was named a BCCAA provincial tournament all-star for her efforts in the conference championship.
2009-2010 was slated to be Dandeneau’s breakout season. Gone were program stalwarts like Nazareno and Wallace, but she was surrounded by veterans Jennifer Clyne and Christine Kennedy, as well as a rookie class that included Mercedes VanKoughnett, Emily Kaehn, and Jennifer Bruce. In the first half the year, she was as advertised. Midway through the season, Dandeneau was leading the BCCAA with 18.3 points per game and the TWolves were sitting first in the conference.
On January 23, 2010, disaster struck for Dandeneau and the Timberwolves. On a two-on-one break, she attempted a layup, was pushed, and landed awkwardly on her leg. Displaying her signature toughness, Dandeneau rehabbed her knee and returned, albeit in a limited capacity, for the final two games of the season. In a practice preparing for the upcoming BCCAA playoffs, she crumpled to the floor in devastating pain. The injury was revealed to be a complete ACL tear, MCL tear, meniscus, and a fracture of the medial femoral condyle.
“Kady was so important and so effective for us because of her physical strength, high basketball IQ, and fierce competitiveness. She really could dominate from anywhere,” said longtime teammate Mercedes VanKoughnett. “If defenders tried to take away the drive, she would make a three. Her versatility was really unmatched. She could score from any position, and she could defend 1 through 5. It set her apart from most every player in the league.”
With their fiery star sidelined, the Timberwolves lost in the conference playoff tournament. Dandeneau finished the season averaging 16.2 points per game, leading the team and finishing third in the conference. She chipped in with 4.9 rebounds per contest and 1.9 assists and was named a BCCAA second team all-star.
The Timberwolves embarked on the 2010-2011 season without Dandeneau, as she worked diligently to rehabilitate a career-altering injury. UNBC went 13-5 without her, even earning a BCCAA bronze medal, but her teammates knew her return could make them contenders to win the provincial banner again.
“We really missed her intensity. She brought fire on the offensive and defensive end and that was definitely missed on the court,” said Jen Bruce. “She was so versatile and able to play anywhere on the court, but what we really missed was the fact that you could trust she was going to do whatever it took to win.”
Dandeneau made her much-anticipated return to the court for the 2011-2012 season; a year that would mark UNBC’s final run in the collegiate ranks before moving up to the CIS. Trying to shake off the rest from a year away from the game, while also building strength and confidence after a traumatic injury was no easy task, but UNBC’s heart-and-soul was up to the task.
Playing a smaller role, alongside a talented roster of returners, she played more limited minutes. The Timberwolves would go 15-1, galvanized by her return, securing first place in the standings heading into the playoffs. She averaged 10.4 points per game, which was second on the team and top-20 in the conference. Additionally, she added 3.5 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game.
“It was extremely inspiring to see Kady remain so focused on her recovery, despite the severity of her injury. Many would have given up, but that was never an option for Kady,” said Bruce. “She was determined to get back on the court, and she did, helping us win a provincial championship.”
In the playoffs, the Timberwolves returned to the top of the mountain, topping the VIU Mariners 62-53 in the provincial final. At the CCAA National Championships, Dandeneau put a stamp on her incredible comeback, earning all-star status at the tournament.
VanKoughnett points to her teammate’s attitude, even in dark times, as a major contributing factor in the program’s success.
“Kady was the ultimate teammate. She was fierce, but had genuine support for everyone, and was a constant source of encouragement. Countless hours in the gym weren’t enough for her. She wanted us all pushing ourselves too. She celebrated every play. She never took losing lightly and always was looking to improve. It was her mental toughness and willingness to exceed her own limits that we all learned from. It set her apart from other athletes.”
In 2012-2013, UNBC made the leap to CIS, to compete with the biggest universities in the country. Dandeneau’s injuries were, at best, manageable, but the senior could not and would not be kept off the court. A frustrating cycle of health and injury was persistent, as Dandeneau continued to work relentlessly on finding a way to help her teammates on and off the court.
Competing in a powerful conference, UNBC went 8-14 in its inaugural season, as Dandeneau’s limited minutes and availability resulted in 9.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game. Despite the frustrating circumstances, she found a way to positively impact her younger teammates, and the generation of Timberwolves who would benefit from her lasting approach to the game.
“Kady took me under her wing from the very beginning. Her leadership and experience were absolutely crucial during that transition year,” said Preety Nijjar, a rookie in Dandeneau’s final UNBC season. “She was the one who really set the tone for what we wanted to achieve at this new level. She was just such a great leader — whether it was a tough practice or a big game, she never left anyone behind. That kind of leadership – one that’s inclusive and brings out the best in people — left a lasting impact on the program.”
In the years after Kady moved on from UNBC, her love for the game and refusal to back down from a challenge created a new opportunity for the ever-competitive product of Pender Island. Her injuries made her eligible to compete in wheelchair basketball. In the years since, she has represented Canada and competed at multiple World Championships, won gold and silver at the ParaPan Am Games, and led Canada to its best Paralympic result in two decades, establishing herself as one of the best players in the world.
In the gold medal game at the 2019 ParaPan Ams, she became the first wheelchair basketball athlete in Canadian history to record a triple-double after a thrilling 67-64 victory over the United States.
“Basketball was so important to Kady. I am extremely happy, though all her injuries and frustration that there was a silver lining,” said Murdoch. “Her opportunity to play wheelchair basketball, represent Canada, and turn into the best wheelchair player in the world? That doesn’t surprise me one bit.”
Dandeneau concluded her career in Green and Gold with 983 points and 407 rebounds, both good for second in program history, as well as 147 assists (seventh-best). However, beyond the numbers, her legacy will stand the test of time. Fire. Leadership. Talent. Will. A true Timberwolf.
“Kady gave everything — physically, emotionally, and mentally — to UNBC Women’s Basketball,” said VanKoughnett. “It is truly rewarding to see her recognized for the immense effort, sacrifice, and dedication.”
“Kady embodies everything the Wall of Honour represents,” said Nijjar. “She is the true definition of a Timberwolf. Commitment. Resilience, Heart. She never stopped showing up for her teammates and for the game. Her legacy is one of unwavering dedication and enduring impact.”
