Several members of Canada's U-18 Select roster stood out, beginning to claim their positions with the team in their first game against Finland.
Several members of Canada's U-18 Select roster stood out, beginning to claim their positions with the team in their first game against Finland.
Canada's U-18 Select roster has been formed, and played in their first game as a team this week beating Finland in a lopsided 10-1 game.
Canada's selection camp showcased a deep group with interchangeable parts, and difficult decisions to select a final roster.
Of those named, seven were returnees from the 2023 U-18 gold medal winning roster, led by leading scorer Caitlin Kraemer.
After a quiet camp, Kraemer came alive in Canada's final tune up against Finland scoring two goals and adding a pair of assists. While Kraemer topped the scoresheet, the real apparition was the instant chemistry between Kraemer, Abby Stonehouse, and Stryker Zablocki. The trio is certain to be Canada's top line moving forward, and Stonehouse and Kraemer will play side-by-side with the OWHL's Waterloo Ravens this year. By the time the 2024 U-18 World Championships roll around, the duo will have months of repetitions together. Kraemer puts herself in good situations, which are often generated by the relentless play of Stonehouse. Head coach Tara Watchorn immediately identifying not only Zablocki's elite skill, but also her ability to see the game even faster than she plays it, was the icing on the cake for the line.
Other standouts in Canada's opening game up front included the powerful play of Sara Manness. A 2007 up front played big, drove to the net with purpose, and flashed her hands multiple times. Alongside linemates Jessie Pellerin and Maxim Tremblay the group drove play early for Canada. Tremblay hasn't scored...yet, but give the number of high percentage chances she's generating, it's only a matter of when not if.
One forward who stood out in a number of ways was Sienna D'Alessandro. Following the conclusion of their selection camp, Canada released D'Alessandro. She was perhaps the most confounding cut following a strong offensive performance throughout tryouts. It's a blip that could become a funny story in the future if D'Alessandro responds to adversity the way she did in Canada's game against Finland. When the puck was on D'Allessandro's stick, you took notice. It was a point emphasized with D'Allessandro's two third period goals, including a highlight reel second tally.
Another evident highlight from Canada's 10-1 drubbing of Finland, was the offensive potential of their blueline. Chloe Primerano had a goal and an assist, Rosalie Breton recorded three assists, and Gracie Graham and Emma Venusio each had a pair of helpers. Each of Canada's defenders could have scored in their opening game, and each was unafraid to jump into the play. It's an active and mobile group that will give opposition issues.
Canada will face USA in a three game series playing August 16, 17, and 19 in Lake Placid, New York.