From Tokyo to Vancouver, UBC’s Henri Godbout finds his stride
From Seattle to Tokyo to Vancouver, UBC Thunderbirds forward Henri Godbout has lived a soccer journey that spans continents and cultures, a path that has shaped both his playing style and his perspective on success.
“I’ve been playing soccer since I was two years old,” said Godbout.
“I grew up in Seattle, spent my high school days in Tokyo, and now I’m here at UBC studying engineering. I guess I’m pretty international.”
Outgoing and upbeat, Godbout is known among teammates for his energy and humour and for his remarkable rise through the university soccer ranks. In just his second year with the Thunderbirds, he was named 2024 Canada West Rookie of the Year, helped lead UBC to a national championship, and was drafted into the Canadian Premier League (CPL) by Vancouver FC.
“It all happened so fast,” he said.
“I was just focused on helping my team win, and then suddenly I was Rookie of the Year and drafted. It was surreal.”
Godbout’s soccer roots trace back to Washington state, where he joined the youth club Crossfire.
“That’s where my real soccer journey began,” he said.
“I played there for nine years before moving to Tokyo.”
In Japan, he joined FC Tokyo, a J-League academy team, an experience that, he says, transformed his understanding of the game.
“The style in Japan is totally different. Everything’s about keeping the ball on the ground and quick passing,” Godbout said.
“In North America, players are more athletic, stronger, and faster. In Japan, it’s about technical ability and discipline. Seeing both sides really helped me grow.”
When it came time for university, UBC was always at the top of his list. His father is from Quebec, and his older brother had already attended the Vancouver school.
“It just made sense financially, academically, and for the family,” he said.
“Plus, UBC has one of the best soccer programs in the country.”
Godbout spent his first season training hard, waiting for his chance. “I didn’t get minutes that year, but I loved being part of it,” he said.
“Watching the team win and grinding every day made me hungry for more.”
When his opportunity came, he seized it. In 2024, he broke into the lineup, contributed key goals, and helped the Thunderbirds capture their record 14th U SPORTS title.
“The biggest reason for my success was the team,” he said.
“Training with those guys every day, being surrounded by top players, that pushes you to be better. All the stats and the awards only happen because of the people around you.”
After the championship, Godbout got word that he might be selected in the CPL draft, though it wasn’t something he had planned for.
“Honestly, I wasn’t even thinking about it,” he said.
“My focus was on winning Nationals. Then my teammates started saying, ‘You might get drafted,’ and a few coaches called. The day before the draft, I found out there was real interest. When it actually happened, I was over the moon.”
Joining Vancouver FC was “eye-opening,” he said.
“You see the standards of the professional game, how much care players take of their bodies, how intense training is. I loved it. Every day, I was surrounded by some of the best players I’ve ever trained with.”
His first professional goal came with a touch of humour — scored against another Thunderbird, Eric Lajeunesse, who was playing for Pacific FC.
“It was my first pro goal, so that was special enough,” Godbout said, laughing.
“But scoring on my UBC teammate made it even better. The group chat was blowing up after the game. I’ll never stop teasing him about it.”
If his professional debut was a milestone, last year’s U SPORTS national title remains his most cherished memory.
“When we arrived in Oshawa, we realized there were only a handful of teams left, it hit us that we could really win this thing,” he said.
“We were ranked No. 1, and there was pressure, but also confidence. That final against Montreal was a grind, but we nicked one late and pulled it off. You couldn’t have written it better.”
The celebration, he added, was pure joy.
“We lost our voices screaming. Music blasting, everyone jumping around, just an unreal feeling. All that work from preseason to that final whistle. It all paid off.”
Now in his second year, Godbout and the Thunderbirds are once again national contenders.
“There’s definitely more expectation this year,” he said.
“We hold ourselves to an even higher standard. Every training session, we push harder, because we want to be back in that final.”
He’s quick to emphasize the importance of team chemistry and consistency.
“Seeing each other every day keeps us focused,” he said.
“We make sure we’re recovering right, taking care of our bodies, and supporting each other. That’s how you keep winning.”
Godbout’s rights with Vancouver FC extend through 2026, and he hopes to return to the CPL next summer.
“Soccer is really my passion,” he said.
“I want to see how far I can go with it.”
For younger players, his advice is simple: consistency and self-awareness.
“Half the work is preparation,” he said.
“Learn your body, do what’s right for you, and put in that extra effort. If you put in half the work, you’ll get half the results.”