If the IIHF decides to launch a women's World Junior Championship, here's what Canada's 2024 roster could look like.
If the IIHF decides to launch a women's World Junior Championship, here's what Canada's 2024 roster could look like.
Believe it or not, a Canadian women's World Junior roster would have a lot of question marks. The strength of Canada's national system are generally over 20, or in the U-18 category. But Canada could still roster a strong contingent from the NCAA and feeder systems.
Canada's blueline and crease would be among the best in the world, but they'd be outpowered up front by nations like the United States.
Here's a look at how a 2024 women's World Junior roster could look for Canada.
Forwards
At the NCAA level, there's no shortage of Canadian forwards making an impact. Perhaps the "lack" of a superstar line would actually benefit Canada through depth and youth. Emmalee Pais (2005) of Colgate, Ohio State's Jocelyn Amos (2005), and Brown's Jade Iginla (2004) would pack a presence up front. Canada's top six could be rounded out by players like Cornell's Karel Prefontaine (2004), Quinnipiac's Kahlen Lamarche (2005), and Yale's Carina DiAntonio (2004). Lamarche and DiAntonio have no Hockey Canada national team experience, but have proven themselves as top scoring threats in the OWHL and now NCAA. Moving into Canada's next six, Boston University's Alex Law (2005), McKenna Van Gelder (2004), Madison Chantler (2004), and Caitlin Kraemer (2006), who is playing in the OWHL with the Waterloo Ravens could draw in. Canada's depth would be a valuable asset up front as although they may not have the best top six, they would certainly have one of the better bottom six groups of any nation up front. Rounding out Canada's forward grouping, players like Reichen Kirchmair (2004), Rhea Hicks (2004), Jordan Baxter (2005), Abby Stonehouse (2006), Alexis Petford (2004), Alexia Aubin (2005), and Avi Adam (2004) would all be in the mix.
Defense
Much of Canada's offense at a women's World Junior championship could come from the back end where the team has a wealth of talent and would be leaving behind defenders who would fit into almost any other nation's top four. The group would be led by the likes of Wisconsin's Ava Murphy (2005), Clarkson's Sara Swiderski (2004), Boston University's Brooke Disher (2004) and Cornell's Alyssa Regalado (2004). It seems impossible Canada could hold RINK Academy's Chloe Primerano (2007) off a World Junior roster, leaving only one spot for an impressive group of blueliners including Clarkson's Keira Hurry, who given her strong start would be the odds on favorite, and fellow NCAA defenders Piper Grober (2005) or Cornell, Colgate's Avery Pickering (2006) and Tova Henderson (2004) from Minnesota-Duluth. Also entering into the conversation could be Emma Venusio (2006), captain of Canada's U-18 team and the Etobicoke Dolphins, and Primerano's defensive partner at RINK Gracie Graham (2006), who will head to Minnesota next year.
Goaltenders
The crease has a variety of options, but would be completely up for grabs from anyone who hit a hot streak or stole the show in camp. Hailey Macleod (2004) has stolen games this season for Minnesota-Duluth, while Mari Pieterson (2004) has played admirably for Boston University out of the gate. Hannah Clark (2006) is a likely contender to grab a spot, but she could be pushed by any number of netminders from the NCAA, or even USports standout Arianne Leblanc (2005), who has U-18 national team experience and is off to an unbeatable start with Concordia University.