No member of the Bisons women's hockey team has played in more career games than veteran forward Julia Bird. A five-year difference-maker, the 5'8" Winnipeg native has laced up the skates on 117 different occasions for Manitoba dating back to her true freshman season in 2021-22. 

Donning a letter for the Herd, the assistant captain lets her play and work ethic do the talking, leading by example with grit, relentlessness, physicality and determination, all characteristics that embody what Bisons hockey is all about. 

"To play 100 games in this league is really difficult. That means you played from your first year throughout your whole career. It's a testament to her, and her ability to make an impact every day with our group and the legacy she continues to have with her leadership," said Bisons head coach Jordan Colliton. 

"That's why she's wearing a letter for our team. Her voice has a big impact. Her play on any given night has a big impact. Other players feed off her."

Bird does the little things well, succeeding in the dirty areas, winning puck battles and putting her teammates in positions to succeed with her strength and tenacity. She plays an unheralded role at times, but her no-quit attitude isn't lost on those around her. It's something she embraces as well. 

"Trying to play physical is an asset of mine," Bird added. 

"Obviously you have to do it in the right way to not take a bunch of penalties, which I kind of think I've figured out. It's helpful for puck protection, stuff in the corners, and getting below the goal line and winning puck battles, which helps the team. It's not about the individual, it's how each individual contributes to the team as a whole."

Bird has seen it all at the U SPORTS level. During her time, the Bisons have advanced to the post-season on three different occasions, including her rookie campaign. Last year, the Herd won their first playoff series since the 2018-19 season, a three-game battle at home against Trinity Western.

The second contest was an all-time classic that went to triple overtime. Down 1-0 in the series and facing elimination, Manitoba demonstrated the resiliency that's been a standard in the program since the start, winning 2-1 win Camille Enns scoring the game-winner. 

A complete effort, the Herd grinded down TWU, playing their style of game until the end.

"That was one of the cooler experiences I've had in hockey, just everything about it, and the feeling after. Obviously everyone was tired, our team, their team. It was about who would bare down a bit more and score and end it, that's what we kept saying. We showed a lot of resiliency in that moment. Being down in the series, that was a really big turning point for us," said Bird. 

"That's always been the identity of our team. We play physical, we're hard-working and try to be a team that others find it hard to play against." 

Bird and company have stayed true to their values in 2025-26. Pushing until the job is done, they've been in five games that have gone past regulation this year, most recently last Saturday against Regina, a 4-3 shootout win. 

Down 3-2, the Herd scored the equalizer with 34 seconds left, courtesy of Aimee Patrick. She was the beneficiary of a hard-working shift from her side. Manitoba refused to let the puck leave the offensive zone, eventually winning a battle for positioning in front. The biscuit made its way to Patrick, who out-fought her defender to tap it in. 

Bird also scored in the contest on a tip in, one of two goals for the veteran during a weekend sweep of Regina. She now has four goals on the year, tying for her career high. The sweep put Manitoba just four points behind Saskatchewan for a playoff spot entering this weekend's contest against Mount Royal to end the first half schedule. 

Staying true to their values, the hard work is coming to fruiting for Bird and the Bisons. 

"Birdy, she played really well in key moments, making sure that she made smart, simple plays. I think that's one thing this season that I've really seen from her, especially two weeks ago and continuing against Regina, was her ability to own pucks, to make key plays with it, to elevate the teammates around her," said Colliton. 

"Even if her line didn't get rewarded, she set the table for other players. It's not just one player that's contributing, it's multiple people. That's the only way in Canada West that teams can have sustainable success. Kudos to them for sticking with it. It's very difficult when you're not seeing the results. It shows that character within our dressing room."