Former RMU defender Wasyn Rice committed to the University of Prince Edward Island to continue her academic and athletic career, the Canadian university announced Friday.

RECRUITED🏒 | UPEI Panthers fortify blueline with former NCAA Division I athlete WASYN RICE

STORY⤵https://t.co/y9J0kIYMis#GoPanthersGo | #Hockey | @RMUWHockey

— UPEI Panthers (@UPEIPanthers) January 14, 2022

Rice returns to her homeland after spending three seasons with Robert Morris where she appeared in 94 games, tallying three goals and eight assists for a total of 11 points in her career with the Colonials.

She capped off her career at Robert Morris by winning the CHA conference championship, which gave the team an automatic bid to the NCAA women’s frozen four where they lost to Northeastern 5-1 in the quarterfinals back in April.

The Invermere, British Columbia native joins a UPEI squad that has allowed the third-fewest goals (33) in the Atlantic University Sport league.

Head coach Bruce Donaldson spoke on Rice.

“Wasyn is a solid defense-first type of player who plays hard and is hard to play against. Typically, the Division I pace and skill has an edge, so playing at this level as a top-four defender will help our program a lot.

Rice’s brother RT also plays with the UPEI program as a forward. She talked about being closer to her brother.

She said, “My brother RT also plays here, and he has been my biggest mentor, so to have him by my side was a chance I knew I wouldn’t get again.”

The Panthers games scheduled for January have all been canceled, but Rice is immediately eligible to compete when UPEI takes on Saint Mary’s on February 5.