Six teams are set to compete for Canada's U-18 national title at the Esso Cup, featuring the nation's next generation.
Six teams are set to compete for Canada's U-18 national title at the Esso Cup, featuring the nation's next generation.
The 13th annual Esso Cup, representing Canada’s National Women’s U18 Club Championship is set to drop the puck from April 23 to April 29 in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan.
According to Steve Young, the head coach of the host Prince Albert Northern Bears, who finished fifth at last year's Esso Cup, the event is important for growing women's hockey, and the community is excited to host the tournament.
"I think it's great for girls hockey, it's come a long way in the last little while, having something like this for the girls is awesome," said Young. "In Prince Albert, the community is excited."
The Fraser Valley Rush return to the national championships after winning silver last year. They'll be led by Leah Barnard, who was named the British Columbia women's hockey player of the year after recording 26 goals and 60 points in 31 games. She'll player USports hockey for Western University in London, Ontario next year. Blueliner Aynsley D'Octtavio was second in league scoring behind Barnard recording 54 points in 28 games. She's committed to play NCAA hockey for Quinnipiac.
The Regina Rebels will be paced by St. Cloud State commit Greta Henderson - who had 36 goals and 65 points in 29 games this season. The Saskatchewan champs finished 24-5-1 with Henderson factoring in on 46.76% of her team's goals this season. Other standouts on the Rebels include a pair of 2007 born players in Stryker Zablocki and Berlin Lolacher who tied for second in team scoring with 40 points each this season. Defender Brooklyn Nimegeers, a Princeton commit, is the key to Regina's blueline. Last year, Alexis Petford who led the NCAA's NEWHA conference in scoring as a rookie with Stonehill College this year was a member of the Rebels.
Prince Albert's Young expects Fraser Valley and Regina to be two of the top contenders at the tournament having faced Fraser Valley at last year's tournament, and playing against Regina all season in Saskatchewan.
"They're going to be two teams that we believe will be very strong," said Young.
"Basically all of Fraser Valley's team is back, and Regina plays a powerhouse game, their forwards go to the net and create a lot of offense. We know those are going to be two tough teams that if you don't do the right things early, they're going to make it a very long game."
Nova Scotia's Northern Selects enter as the Atlantic representatives. Their top scorer this season was 15-year-old Kendall Doiron, who racked up 18 goals and 31 points in 24 games.
Ontario is represented by the Stoney Creek Sabres. Co-captains Madi Burr and Peyton Anzivino are the scoring leaders for the Sabres, while German netminder Tara Bach had four shutouts at provincials, including in the championship game.
The other provincial champions at the tournament are Quebec's Étoiles de Laurentides-Lanaudière. Their leading scorers this season were a pair of 15-year-old forward in Loélie Lachapelle, who had 26 goals and 35 points in 25 games, and Maika Gauthier who finished with 28 points on the year.
Host, the Prince Albert Northern Bears finished fifth at nationals last season, but struggled this season in Saskatchewan's U18 AAA loop finishing fifth in league play with a 9-18-1-2 record. Although it was a tough season for Prince Albert, Young hopes the experience of having played at last year's Esso Cup benefits his team.
"With us having experience last year, that should help us with the understanding of how competitive it will be," said Young. "We're a team that had a bit of a rough season and I think we've got the understanding that if we're going to do anything we need to do it by committee."
Last year, Ontario's Durham West Lightning won the Esso Cup as Canada's National U-18 champions.