A new season is about to drop the puck with the top Junior and Prep programs already on the ice. With the PWHL thriving, top programs at all levels are drawing additional attention. In 2025-26, there are a number of Junior, Prep, High School, and Academy programs developing the best young prospects in the game. 

Here's a look at 10 programs leading the way in 2025-26.

1. Etobicoke Dolphins

This entire roster will play NCAA Division 1 hockey, and they'd be competitive against many college teams already. Uncommitted young stars like Megan Mossey and Adriana Milani will be key contributors for Canada's U-18 national team this year, as will Maddie McCullough, Rachel Piggot, and Sofia Ismael, while Haley Box was one of USA's U-18 stars last year. This team is an all-star roster from Ontario and beyond.

Players To Watch: Rachel Bishop, Devyn Lang, Mia Venusio, Sofia Ismael, Grace Van Volsen, Haley Box, Maddy Lubera, Sydney Bowness, Emeline Grennan, Megan Mossey, Adrianna Milani, Rachel Piggott, Renee Bishop, Skylar Ruschpler, Maddie McCullough

2. Shattuck St. Mary's

Seven members of USA's 2025 U-18 national team played for Shattuck, and there were five again this summer. Whether it's their prep team or their 16U roster, the program continues to develop a new wave of elite players. Guided by women's hockey legend Brianna Decker, this program, which has always been strong, continues to get better. Players practicing and training like an NCAA team for years before they actually enter college brings them to the next level bigger, better, and more ready to compete.

Players To Watch: Kylie Amelkovich, Sydney Boss Krohn, Emma Cerruti, Jane Daley, Mary Derrenbacher, Sloane Hartmetz, Zahra Nauhaus, Bria Schilling, Rowan Houweling, Morgan Stickney, Josephine Virnig, Kathryn Hall, Ellie Stewart, Mackenzie Sunderbruch, Monica Berres, Makenzie Grabie, Lily Brodsky, Tess Martin, Mia Monaco, Kendall Doiron.

3. Bishop Kearney Selects

Bringing together not only many of North America's top players, advancing stars like Laila Edwards, Haley Winn and Caroline Harvey from USA, and Stryker Zablocki from Canada, Bishop Kearney is also a key development path for global stars hoping to make it big at the next level. On their current roster that includes Nela Lopušanová and newly signed 2020 German forward Alexandra Boico. Bishop Kearney are perennial contenders for a USA Hockey national title, and their roster is a breeding ground for NCAA standouts.

Players To Watch: Avery Ide, Addison Tremel, Shayla Beaudette, Chloe Brinson, Gigi Martin, Megan Meola, Annika Stock, Kayla O'Donnell, Lia Cericola, Alex Boico, Kayla Gerson, Micayla Hunt, Nela Lopušanová, Siya Grewal.

4. Durham West Lightning

Without fail, Durham West is producing NCAA players, U-18 national team members, and pros. This year they have a dynamic mix of NCAA committed players, and some of the top young uncommitted players on the planet. It will keep all eyes on the Lightning who perennially find players to restock their roster and remain one of the best teams in North America.

Players To Watch: Uma Peterson, Taylor Supryka, Madison Bryk, Eden Bergman, Renee Lapointe, Neve Thatcher, Pippa Green, Mackenzie Riches, Peyton Flemming, Soren Biderman, Amelia Wilkinson, Capri Chaulk, Savannah Halleran

5. Stoney Creek Sabres

Stoney Creek's program excels from the ground up. Beginning with their U-15 and U-18 programs, Stoney Creek is a developmental program feeding players to higher levels. Their PWHL alumni like Brianne Jenner, Sarah Nurse, Megan Carter, Kristin O'Neill, and 2025 PWHL first round pick Kendall Cooper continue to show the talent coming from this program, and there's no end in sight. 

Players To Watch: Mikayla Barnes, Olivia VanSickle, Ashley Austin, Machala Musty, Nicole Spencer, Reese Kletke, Claire Sanford, Eva Ouellette, Mylie Ellis, Aubrey Morrison, Makenna Vinc

6. RHA Kelowna

Western Canada's top program, that in recent years has advanced NCAA players like Chloe Primerano up the ladder. They are again a program with several commits heading to top programs like Ohio State, Clarkson, and Cornell, and perhaps as exciting, is they are welcoming a trio of truly exceptional 2011 born players to their program this season. All three - Sienna Dammann, Sophia Abagoush, and Kinley Sisson - are coming out of boys' hockey at the 'AAA' level. They are the model program among Canada's Sport Schools.

Players To Watch: Alida Korte, Ava McDermid, Hayley McDonald, Kennedy Sisson, Jillian McLaughlin, Kilah Hodder.

7. Lovell Academy

There's an incredibly talented group of players that have found Lovell Academy, a new program founded in 2022 by the father of one of those budding stars, Annabelle Lovell. Stemming from two decades of Lovell Hockey, a highly successful skill development program well known for player advancement, it's evident in the early girls hockey success with U-18 national team standouts like Chyna Taylor, Sydney Stoughton, and Annabelle Lovell.

Players To Watch: Chyna Taylor, Sydney Stoughton, Moira Landsverk, Annabelle Lovell, Mirella Martinelli, Haven Mills, Madeline Carey, Emily Macaulay, Moira Landsverk, Faith Baratta, Caroline Clark, Kari McKay, Aubryn Monter

8. Assabet Valley

The program was the United States' original powerhouse for women's hockey, and once they parted with their harmful founder, the program has been able to evolve into what it should have been. Several members of Assabet Valley are annually representing USA and this year is no different. 

Players To Watch: Evelyn Doyle, Maggie Averill, Ava Decourcey, Kimberly Duplessis, Christina Scalese, Kimberly Duplessis

9. Little Caesars

There's something about a program that continuously pumps out elite NCAA talent in a state that doesn't have an NCAA program that makes Michigan's top team special. Little Caesars alumni speckle pro and top collegiate rosters, as well as national teams. They have another strong group in 2025-26 with players heading to strong programs like Ohio State, Quinnipiac, and Northeastern.

Players To Watch: Taylor Morrison, Kathryn Spyhalski, Nadiya Nadaud, Ciara Gilbert, Charlotte Dukovac, Delaila Polick, Natalia Dilbone, Emily Mitchell, Katelynn Graham, Nina Geric

10. Nepean Wildcats

Nepean has grabbed just about every top player in the Ottawa region including some of the best among the next wave of players like Avery Jones, who looks like she'll be an anchor on Canada's U-18 roster for a few seasons, where she'll join Kate Viel. But the list doesn't stop there. Ottawa has four Junior teams with Nepean, the Ottawa Senators, Ottawa Lady 67s, and East Ottawa Stars. The region could put together something really special, and they've come close with Nepean.

Players To Watch: Avery Jones, Jaylee MacKinnon, Kylie Hollingsworth, Sydney Semiga, Carly O'Connor, Maggie Hughson, Yildir Serra, Kate Viel, Alessia Longo, Jordan Mulvihill, Breanna Bray

Other Programs To Watch

Stanstead College, Barrie Jr. Sharks, Minnetonka High School, , Central York Panthers, Philadelphia Jr. Flyers, Hill-Murray High School,  Pittsburgh Pens Elite, NAHA, Mississauga Hurricanes, East Coast Wizards.