USA's Collegiate Select roster is filled with players set to challenge for national team time. Here's a look at five players to watch for USA in their series against Canada's National Development team.
There's plenty of intrigue with this American Collegiate Select team. While there are certainly strong American players like Abby Roque, Casey O'Brien, Gabbie Hughes, and Jesse Compher and many others on the outside looking in at USA senior national program, the Collegiate Select Team remains loaded with potential national team calibre players.
And depending who declares, USA's roster is a showcase for the 2027 PWHL Draft with prospects like Laney Potter, Kelly Gorbatenko, Cassie Hall, Ava McNaughton, Kaia Malachino, Rylee Bartz, Ella Boerger, Ava Lindsay, Maddie Kaiser, Hailey Hansen, and Lauren Zawoyski.
Players like Malachino who was a standout for Ohio State down the stretch after a long absence due to injury, have something to prove right off the bat. As do veterans like Maddie Kaiser who is in her final NCAA season of eligibility.
USA also has a young group of prospects who are continuing their push forward.
Rylee Bartz, Ohio State
After three standout seasons at St. Thomas, Bartz is making the move to Ohio State where she'll play with some of the best in the world. This tournament will be her first chance to show her ability on a larger stage, and begin to claim her position in the PWHL Draft rankings. She managed 17 goals last season with limited supports, which bodes well for this season. Can she do it against Canada's best?
Molly Boyle, Yale
Named ECAC Defender of the Year as a rookie with Yale last season, Boyle had 13 goals and 36 points in 33 games in her first NCAA campaign. Those types of accolades and numbers are typically reserved for a much older and more experienced defender. Boyle represented USA at the U-18 level, so she's been on the radar, but her development since then has been exponential.
Ava Thomas, Boston College
From her youth days in Philadelphia to her U-18 national team days, everyone knew Ava Thomas was a pure scorer. Few expected her to be as dominant as she was as an NCAA rookie last season with Boston College. She can score in so many ways, but has a dangerous release, and when the lane isn't there, she puts pucks into spaces to create chances for her teammates. Thomas had 19 goals and 46 points in 35 games for Boston College this season.
Kelly Gorbatenko, Wisconsin
A 5-foot-11 power forward, Gorbatenko is the highest scoring American from the NCAA on USA's roster. She had 28 goals and 50 points in 41 games last season for Wisconsin, and during the Olympics, showed she's capable of being the focal point on any roster. She could be headed to the PWHL next season as a top five pick, and a dominant performance at this series would cement her status at the top of the class entering the season.
Maggie Scannell, Wisconsin
The former U-18 national team captain is entering a major campaign in her career. She was one of the standouts at last year's series against Canada, and she showed moderate output increases with Wisconsin, but now is the time for Scannell to step into the spotlight as a star, not just as a contributor. She's got the size, and skill to do it. At times it's the curse of some players who land in Wisconsin who find themselves buried behind others. Scannell needs to step forward and seize this opportunity.
