There's a brighter future for women's hockey than there's been at any point in history. Last offseason, we highlighted the top 2009, 2010, and 2011 born players from across the globe. 

Many have already gone on to bigger things like 2009-born forward Adrianna Milani who was a top prospect noted last season who chose to join the NCAA a season early this year with Minnesota. Alongside players like USA's Chyna Taylor, she's the future of the age group.

This year we look deeper introducing the 2012 age group.

One of the top prospects this season is 2011-born forward Isla McCoubrey. She's absolutely electric. McCoubrey could be on Canada's U-18 national team right now even though the program did not invite any 2011 players to test themselves. She is a game breaking talent who catches your eye every time she steps on the ice. Playing for the Waterloo Wolves, she's been a dynamic force that controls play despite having less to work with around her than some of the power programs. Her team features other impressive 2011s like Arabelle Weiss and Avery Wathke making it a group to watch. Add in Brielle Beauchemin (Canada), Gem Winter (Canada), Audrey Nichols (USA), Eva Belanger (Canada), and dozens more, than the 2011 group is beginning to take shape.

From the 2010 birth year, there's a lot of excitement around Swedish forward Moa Stridh and Czech defender Klara Sramkova, but they're not alone from the international cohort pushing their way into this discussion. North America is brimming at the 2010 age group with players like Maeve Aird (Canada), Frances Ames (USA), Mia Sutch (USA), Cassidy Cha (USA), Ryann Chimera (Canada), Whitney Basso (Canada), Maggie Chudzinski (USA), Savannah Halleran (Canada), and others.

At the 2012 level, it's a group still coming into the picture. Some Canadian players like Brooke Soloman, Maddy Haydar, Brylee Mateychuk, and Kennedy Martell have jumped off the page already, as have American players Brynlee Desrosiers, Lily Svenson, Talia Hovspian, and Mia Kuscher. But it's an age group that will take this season to round out and show where their potential rests.

Here's a look at some of the top identified players from 2010, 2011, and 2012. This list will be updated as the season progresses.

As the season progresses, so will the watch list of 2013s to be added to next season's list of up and coming players. It's a list that early in the year already includes players like Kendall Kolga, Annie Farquhar, Mary (Cece) Whatley, Kayla Teal, Elin Marvin, Shelby Kempkens, Riley Shewchuk, and Baylin Edgar.