Chloe Primerano was the tournament MVP, while USA won gold and Czechia silver. Here's 15 players who made a noticeable impact in the tournament.

The IIHF women's U-18 World Championships are in the books with Team USA winning gold over Czechia. Chloe Primerano, the Canadian blueliner who led the tournament in scoring was named MVP. Last year's MVP Nela Lopusanova was relatively quiet in the tournament due to the stiffer competition. She remained a force for Slovakia, but couldn't break out offensively as she did last year. 

This year, a new group of stars stepped forward. Here's a look at The Hockey News' Top 15 players from the 2024 U-18 World Championships in Zug, Switzerland.

1. Chloe Primerano, 2007, D, Canada

There's no player in this tournament with the skill of Primerano. From her shot, to her edgework, and creativity with the puck, Primerano is an elite talent who will soon be in the mix for Canada's senior national team despite having another year of U-18 eligibility. This year she became the first defender in U-18 history to score a hat trick, took over Canada's all-time goal scoring lead by a defender, and broke the single tournament record for scoring by a Canadian defender. If she matches her point total, she'd also become the highest scoring Canadian of all-time next season. Primerano finished with eight goals and 16 points in six games, and was named the tournament MVP and Best Defender.

2. Adela Sapovalivova, 2006, F, Czechia 

Speed, agility, and deceptiveness with the puck, Sapovalivova was a game changer every time she stepped on the ice. The fact she was the tournament's top scoring forward is enough, but doing it with an offensively starved Czechia is a feat. She captained Czechia to a historic finish, upsetting Canada and winning silver at the tournament. No player made the individual impact that Sapovalivova, and although she wasn't the tournament MVP, but she could have been, and was named the tournament's Best Forward.

3. Caitlin Kraemer, 2006, F, Canada

Kraemer plays with pure power. Few are as strong and dangerous off the rush as Kraemer, but she also causes noise around the net and in the corners. When you finish your U-18 eligibility by breaking Marie-Philip Poulin's goal scoring mark, and as Canada's all-time U-18 points leader, you know you've left an impact. She'll play for Minnesota-Duluth next year, and could soon be in the mix for Canada's national team. While her goal scoring is obvious with 20 goals in 11 career U-18 World Championship games, there are times Kraemer could be more effective by dishing the puck. It's a point she'll develop in the NCAA.

4. Abby Stonehouse, 2006, F, Canada

While she's often overlooked for the flash and finish of Primerano and Kraemer, Stonehouse was Canada's top point producer up front, and it's how she generates that draws attention. Stonehouse plays with a lot of speed, is aggressive on pucks, and can not only finish, but flashes high end playmaking skills. She's the motor that keeps Canada moving, and is headed to Penn State next year. Stonehouse brings a compete level and diverse skill set that will have her on the radar for Canada's senior national team soon.

5. Maggie Scannell, 2006, F, USA

With a big frame and good speed, Scannell is noticeable each time she's on the ice. She's a power forward who has consistently produced everywhere she's played, whether it's Shattuck St. Mary's, or Team USA. USA's captain is headed to Wisconsin next year where she could disappear a bit in the depth of that roster. It's a hard decision to stay as the top player, or play among top players. Her size and strength will fit in at the NCAA level, and was a dominant feature to her game at the U-18 where she averaged over a point-per-game across three seasons with USA finishing with a gold, silver, and bronze.

6. Emma Ekoluoma, 2006, F, Finland

A bit on the small side, Ekoluoma utilizes her speed and smarts to find open ice. She scored a pair of hat tricks in the tournament finishing with eight goals and 11 points. 

7. Ebba Hedqvist, 2006, F, Sweden 

A member of Sweden's senior national team, Hedqvist is often overlooked on Sweden due to her teammate Hilda Svensson, but she's a play driver. Hedqvist controls entries, is strong in pursuit, and is effective off the puck. She's got great playmaking skills and was recognized as Sweden's captain.

8. Hilda Svensson, 2006, F, Sweden

Already among the world's elite, Svensson can score from anywhere, and seems to get better every time you see her. She's creative and has an excellent shot. A top line player on Sweden's U-18 and senior national teams.

9. Tuuli Tallinen, 2006, D, Finland

A smooth defender who was crucial for Finland. She's the next in line behind Finland's big names like Nelli Laitinen. With Tallinen, Finland would have likely met a worse fate in this tournament. She can transport the puck and is an excellent distributor.

10. Emma Venusio, 2006, D, Canada

She has the best shot in the tournament from the blueline, and one of the best shots in the game. Venusio is also creative and confident while handling the puck and as Canada's captain contributed in each game. She'll be a defender Canada watches in the coming years for their senior team.

11. Tereza Plosova, 2006, F, Czechia 

As incredible as Sapovalivova played in this tournament, without Plosova, Czechia would not have had a hope. She took eyes off Sapovalivova and drew defenders to her. While she can score, she thrived in generating chances and playing set up woman in this tournament. Another current member of Czechia's senior national team.

12. Josie St. Martin, 2006, F, USA

Named a tournament all-star, St. Martin quietly contributed to Team USA throughout the tournament, and when she wasn't quiet, she was timely. A good skater, who protects the puck well and finds ways to the net, St. Martin is headed to powerhouse Ohio State next year.

13. Ivana Wey, 2006, F, Switzerland

Very creative with the puck, Wey has excellent hands and is confident to try moves most wouldn't. Like the other half of Switzerland's star forwards, Naemi Herzig, Wey couldn't find her stride in terms of production given Switzerland's lack of depth. Opposing teams were able to key in on Wey and Herzig, and their role had to shift to primarily a defensive effort. She'll be an addition to Switzerland's senior national team soon.

14. Ellie Dimatos, 2007, D, USA

The Philadelphia Jr. Flyers blueliner is a Princeton commit. She's an intelligent puck mover who contributed for USA by getting pucks onto the stick of their top players effectively. She'll be the key returning blueliner for the USA next year as they look to repeat for gold.

15. Nela Lopusanova, 2008, F, Slovakia

It wasn't the repeat performance of Lopusanova's historic debut last year for Slovakia, but she remains one of the best players on the planet at any level. She was able to keep Slovakia in games, and was key to keeping the Slovaks away from relegation games. That in itself is a major accomplishment for the nation that will see their top players, including Lopusanova, who is now playing in North America with Bishop Kearney, return next year.

Other top performers: Sienna D'Alessandro (Canada), Mira Hallin (Sweden), Ava Thomas (USA), Jenna Raunio (Sweden), Alena Rossel (Switzerland), Anezka Cabelova (Czechia), Livia Debranova (Slovakia), Claire Murdoch (Canada), Avery Pickering (Canada), Naemi Herzig (Switzerland), Morgan Jackson (Canada), Rose Dwyer (USA), Ema Tothova (Slovakia), Sara Manness (Canada), Stryker Zablocki (Canada).