Comparing Canada and USA's Collegiate Series Rosters

USA and Canada are set to face off in another edition of their Collegiate Series. We break down both nations rosters, and what looks different this time around.

The Canada versus USA summer Collegiate Series has become an annual preview of what's to come for the world's top two women's hockey nations. This year is no different with some of the top up and coming prospects from NCAA hockey set to play another three game series. Here's a look at how Canada and USA's rosters stack up.

Make no mistake, Canada is going a different direction with this year's Collegiate Series roster than they have in the past. Their roster includes six 2005-born players, seven 2004-born players, and six 2003-born players. Conversely, has only one 2005-born player in Joy Dunne, five 2004s, and one 2003. Canada's oldest players are born in 2002, while USA is bringing 11 players born in 2001 and 2000. That includes multiple players like Kelsey King, Gwyneth Philips, Ally Simpson, and Madeline Wethington who are all back in the NCAA using their extra year of eligibility from COVID. It's a vast experience difference between the nations, that will also likely have some implications for size and strength. Canada's youth movement however, will give experience to a new wave of players like Jade Iginla, Ava Murphy, Jocelyn Amos, Alex Law, Brooke Disher, Emmalee Pais and many more.

Looking at point production from last year's NCAA season, Team USA enters with a distinct advantage in veteran scoring. Canada has Anne Cherkowski who had 52 points in 40 games for Clarkson but it's all USA from there. Elle Hartje (52 points in 33 games for Yale), Kiara Zanon (49 points in 38 games for Penn State), Casey O'Brien (48 points in 41 games for Wisconsin), Olivia Mobley (43 points in 40 games for Quinnipiac), Makenna Webster (39 points in 31 games for Ohio State), Elyssa Biederman (38 points in 40 games for Colgate), and Katelynn Knoll (34 points in 38 games for Northeastern) all appear on the NCAA scoring charts before the next Canadian, Abby Newhook joins the list. 

On paper this is clearly an American advantage with reigning NCAA goalie of the year Gwyneth Philips, national champion Amanda Thiele, and Jojo Chobak lined up to play. Canada however, has Eve Gascon who enters having yet to play a game with Minnesota-Duluth, who she'll join this season, but is already considered one of the top goaltenders in the world. Similarly, Hannah Murphy who just finished who rookie campaign at Colgate has been spectacular, and brings size to the crease Canada has lacked. Hanna Zukow is a wildcard in net for Canada coming out of nowhere with Stonehill College to grab a roster spot. USA has more experience, but Canada's youthful crease could surprise.

Of course USA had a dozen college players on their World Championship gold medal winning team including standouts like Caroline Harvey and Tessa Janecke who would be eligible to play but aren't. USA had Laila Edwards (Wisconsin) and Riley Brengman (Ohio State) skating with the senior national team at the National Festival. Brengman was brought to the Collegiate roster, but Edwards was kept among the senior national players, which bodes well for her future with USA's top team. Canada left behind multiple members of their 2022 roster who were eligible to return, and also didn't include any USports players compared to last year when they had three players from Canadian schools.

From last year's Team USA roster, Janecke, Haley Winn, Nicole LaMantia, Britta Curl, Abbey Levy, and Abbey Murphy were all named to USA's senior national team. Canada saw only Danielle Serdachny advance to their national team where she played a limited role compared to USA's graduates.

Canada and USA will play August 16, 17, and 19 in Lake Placid.