On the men's hockey side, fans first heard about players like Sidney Crosby, Connor McDavid, and more recently the likes of Connor Bedard and Gavin McKenna long before they are NHL Draft eligible, and in many cases, well before they reach Junior hockey.

In women's hockey, it takes significantly longer. Some arrive early with their U-18 national teams. It's where players like Chloe Primerano, Nela Lopusanova, and Caitlin Kraemer all cut their teeth and jettisoned themselves onto a larger stage. But even then, those players, once they return to their clubs, are often forgotten until another international tournament comes around. For more women's hockey players headed to the pros, it's not until they reach the NCAA or a senior national team where the real recognition begins. 

That however, will change as time goes on, and it's already beginning to change. As more young girls set their sights on the PWHL, more fans, scouts, and media turns their eyes to prospects. There is a wealth of talent in the women's hockey world that only continues to grow each season. Here's a look at 10 players born in 2009 or earlier that you need to know about, and watch, right now.

**Due to limited accessibility to video and tournament viewings for some teams, there will be players missed from these early lists. These lists were compiled through scouting opportunities at multiple major tournaments, national team camps, national championships, and consulting coaches from major programs.

Here are five players who are already standing out, followed by watch lists for each age group.

1. Adrianna Milani, F, 2009, Canada

Last summer Milani was USA's best player at the summer showcase by a mile, and it was only because Hockey Canada doesn't allow players her age to participate. This summer, she's back in a Canadian jersey and will burst onto the international stage in a big way. Milani is electric and is North America's next big star. She scored 35 goals and 56 points in 36 games this season with the Etobicoke Dolphins in the OWHL finishing among league leaders, all of whom are U-18 national team alumni and NCAA bound. Milani is a star in the making.

2. Moa Stridh, F, 2010, Sweden

If there's a player destined for bigger things in Europe, Stridh is leading that category. The 15-year-old is already 5-foot-11 and is slated to play professional hockey in the SDHL with the reigning league champions Frolunda this season. She scored a point per game in boys hockey last year and has dominated every time she's stepped into the women's game. Ensuring she has opportunities to play significant minutes will also be important for her development playing among pro veterans.

3. Chyna Taylor, D, 2009, USA

Taylor is a dynamic offensive defender. She has a high hockey IQ, and physically is above her peers with her fitness. Last year Taylor made history with Team USA's U-18 national team as the program's first skater from Kentucky. She was a key contributor for USA at Worlds as an underage player, and recorded an incredible 107 points in 83 games from the blueline this season with Lovell Academy's 16-U team.

4. Maeve Aird, D, 2010, Canada

Already 5-foot-10 and playing a considerable role in the OWHL with the Whitby Wolves, Aird comes from boys' 'AAA' hockey in Quinte, a system known for producing OHLers. She skates well and ends a lot of plays at the blueline and neutral zone by reading the ice well. Offensively she isn't afraid to slide into the play and shifts the field of attack managing the puck while opening shooting and passing lanes. 

5. Callie McCullough, D, 2010, USA

When you watch Callie McCullough dive in from the blueline, and walk pucks across the offensive line, it's hard not to see flashes of another Bishop Kearney product, Caroline Harvey. She's got great mobility and can shift quickly to open shooting and passing lanes in the offensive zone. With Bishop Kearney, she's already benefiting from one of North America's best developmental programs.

6. Reka Hiezl, F, 2009, Hungary

If you want to look at the deeper pool of European talent, there's reason to be excited for Hungary's Reka Hiezl. She sees the ice well finding soft spots to become a target and get her shots through. Hiezl is already a member of Hungary's senior national team and is making a wise jump to North American next season where she'll play at the prestigious Shattuck St. Mary's.

7. Malgorzata Zakrzewska, F, 2010, Poland

There has been a lot of hype around Zakrzewska because of her gaudy numbers. She'd already be a top forward for Poland's senior national team if rules allowed, and she soon will be. Zakrzewska has a great release, and is coming to North America next season to hone her game at Purcell Hockey Academy.

7. Megan Mossey, D, 2009, Canada

The big defender moved more than 1000km from home from PEI to play for the Etobicoke Dolphins. She has a heavy shot, and moves well laterally keeping herself open to the play with her toes up ice to transition pucks, distribute, or join the attack from the blueline. As a 15-year-old rookie in Canada's top junior women's league, Mossey put up 23 goals and 39 points in 37 games. She's the real deal and could be a staple on Canada's blueline in the near future.

8. Annabelle Lovell, F, 2009, USA

At the 16-U level, there just isn't another scorer like Lovell in the USA. She notched 57 goals and 158 points in 83 games last season for Lovell Academy and is already a member of USA's U-18 national team. She's dogged on the puck and explosive when she has it.

9. Sydney Stoughton, F, 2009, USA

An excellent shooter who takes the puck to the middle of the ice. She had 62 goals last season with Lovell Academy and was a member of USA's U-18 team. 

10. Jane Daley, F, 2009, USA

Daley has a deceptive release and her puck control and vision allow her to find seams. Daley's release and the velocity of her shot is dangerous. Honing her craft at Shattuck St. Mary's.

11. Aurora Matt, D, 2009, Canada

Talented offensive defender. Mobile, and already playing among the best.

12. Mikayla Barnes, F, 2009, Canada

An elite goal scorer who has thrived everywhere she's gone. Barnes has taken a slow and steady path of development getting better every season.

13. Alexandra Boico, F, 2009, Germany

One of the best hopes Germany has to get out of the middle of the pack. Boico is headed to North America to play alongside the likes of Nela Lopusanova at Bishop Kearney.

2009 Women's Hockey Prospects

• Madison Levesque, F, 2009, Canada
• Kathryn Spyhalski, F, 2009, USA
• Renee Lapointe, D, 2009, Canada
• Charleen Poindl, F, 2009, Germany
• Ebba Hesselvall, F, 2009, Sweden
• Aniston McCrann, F, 2009, Canada
• Adela Mynařikova, F, 2009, Czechia
• Ava McDermid, D, 2009, Canada
• Ellen Jarabkova, F, 2009, Czechia
• Alexandra Boico, F, 2009, Germany
• Lily Reid, G, 2009, Canada
• Dana Březinova, F, 2009, Czechia
• Courtney Beeksma, G, 2009, Canada
• Bria Schilling, F, 2009, USA
• Madison Bryk, F, 2009, Canada
• Kate Pasma, D, 2009, Canada
• Jordan Mulvihill, D, 2009,  Canada
• Tinja Tapani, F, 2009, Finland
• Madelyn Kimbrel, F, 2009, USA
• Finley Engfer, G, 2009, USA
• Avery Jones, D, 2009, Canada
• Sadie Green, F, 2009, Canada
• Maggie Hughson, F, 2009, Canada
• Annabella Van Berkel, F, 2009, Canada
• Sydney Boss Krohn, F, 2009, USA
• Taylee Manion, D, 2009, USA
• Annabelle Buccicone, D, 2009, USA
• Olivia Braunshausen, D, 2009, USA
• Lili Hajdu, D, 2009, Hungary
• Isabella Freitas, F, 2009, USA
• Catherine McCool, F, 2009, USA
• Josephine Virnig, D, 2009, USA
• Mirella Martinelli, D, 2009, USA
• Nadiya Nadaud, D, 2009, USA
• Cecilia Wielenberg, G, 2009, USA
• Maija St. Pierre, G, 2009, Canada
• Lily Bromley, F, 2009, USA
• Moira Landsverk, G, 2009, USA
• Mia Venusio, D, 2009, Canada
• Keelin Song, F, 2009, Canada
• Neve Murphy, F, 2009, Canada
• Eva Ouellette, D, 2009, Canada
• Riley Cooper, F, 2009, Canada
• Chloe Martineau, F, 2009, Canada
• Yenna Kolmonen, F, 2009, Finland
• Mallea McMullin, F, 2009, Canada
• Keshia Zonnon, D, 2009, Canada
• Penelope St. Pierre, F, 2009, Canada
• Lucie Sindelarova, F, 2009, Czechia
• Sydney Bowness, F, 2009, Canada
• Skylar Ruschpler, F, 2009, Canada
• Olivia VanSickle, F, 2009, Canada
• Jasmine Ke, D, 2009, Canada
• Katariina Junnila, D, 2009, Finland
• Annabella Cosgrave, D, 2009, Canada
• Jil Baker, F, 2009, Switzerland
• Nela Tischlerova, D, 2009, Slovakia
• Laelia Huwyler, F, 2009, Switzerland
• Elleh Frigui, F, 2009, USA
• Filippa Fernstrom, F, 2009, Sweden
• Rowyn Street, F, 2009, Canada
• Payton Chornley, F, 2009, Canada
• Cadence Liu, F, 2009, USA
• Lyla Picker, F, 2009, USA
• Raeya Mackie, D, 2009, Canada
• Madeline Mckay, F, 2009, Canada
• Emilija Birka, D, 2009, Germany
• Markéta Kafková, F, Czechia
• Alisa Matveyeva, F, Russia

2010 Women's Hockey Prospects

• Whitney Basso, D, 2010, Canada
• Briar Deckers, D, 2010, Canada
• Claire Sommerfeld, F, 2010, USA
• Alexis Ulrich, D, 2010, USA
• Madelyn Davies, F, 2010, Canada
• Klara Sramkova, D, 2010, Czechia
• Annabella Di Palma, F, 2010, Canada
• Lainey Lindsay, F, 2010, USA
• Isabell Manns, F, 2010, Germany
• Savannah Halleran, F, 2010, Canada
• Sophia Makokis, D, 2010, Canada
• Rozalie Sale, F, 2010, Czechia
• Kelsey Macpherson, F, 2010, USA
• Andrea Hall, D, 2010, USA
• Jenna Goblirsch, F, 2010, USA
• Tilia Lindgren, F, 2010, Sweden
• Makenna Vinc, F, 2010, Canada
• Alessia Longo, F, 2010, Canada
• Sophie Um, F, 2010, USA
• Cassidy Cha, D, 2010, USA
• Addyson Martin, D, 2010, Canada
• Mia Sutch, F, 2010, USA
• Morgan Nodding, F, 2010, Canada
• Gianna Stavola, F, 2010, USA
• Jaiden Krushelniski, F, 2010, USA
• Elizabeth Belanger, F, 2010, Canada
• Addyson Lee, D, 2010, Canada
• Fanny Kyrkko, D, 2010, Finland
• Sarah Mettler, F, 2010, Switzerland
• Natalia Gero, F, 2010, Slovakia
• Ryann Chimera, F, 2010, Canada
• Emma Biros, F, 2010, Canada
• Aimee Georgi, D, 2010, Germany
• Brannagh Rae, F, 2010, Canada
• Eve Pelletier, F, 2010, Canada
• Elizabeth Boveri, F, 2010, Canada
• Maize Wilner, F, 2010, USA
• Aliyah Mihlbauer, F, 2010, USA
• Ellie Quattromanni, F, 2010, USA
• Giuliana Polcari, F, 2010, USA
• Mae Fitzgerald, F, 2010, USA
• Montana Morris, F, 2010, USA
• Poppy Carlson, G, 2010, USA
• Elliana Mattson, F, 2010, USA
• Yelizaveta Kardash, F, 2010, Russia

2011 Women's Hockey Prospects

• Ella Sabourin, F, 2011, Canada
• Avery Wathke, D, 2011, Canada
• Haley Chipelski, D, 2011, Canada
• Brayah Bemrose, G, 2011, Canada
• Brielle Beauchemin, F, 2011, Canada
• Charlotte Endicott, F, 2011, Canada
• Adela Křenkova, F, 2011, Czechia
• Isla McCoubrey, F, 2011, Canada
• Brennyn Anderson, F, 2011 USA
• Madeline Staffieri, F, 2011, USA
• Ella Sabourin, F, 2011, Canada
• Sia Michanos, D, 2011, Canada
• Gem Winter, D, 2011, USA
• Arabelle Weiss, F, Canada
• Lauren Gratton, F, 2011, Canada
• Mya Rosenbaum, F, 2011, Canada
• Katherine Jessup, F, 2011, USA
• Casey Morand, G, 2011, Canada
• Caylee Burchett, G, 2011, Canada
• Ava Barbour, F, 2011, Canada
• Florence Gagnon, G, 2011, Canada
• Sienna Dammann, F, 2011, Canada
• Shae Faulkner, F, 2011, Canada
• Ella Ianiero, F, 2011, USA
• Caitlyn Tran, D, 2011, Canada
• Darshan Manak, G, 2011, Canada
• Brynn Belleau, D, 2011, Canada
• Kathryne Monko, D, 2011, USA
• Sawyer Gillings, F, 2011, Canada
• Violet McCann, F, 2011, USA
• Pénélope Belair, F, 2011, Canada
• Sophie DiGioia, F, 2011, USA
• Maëlie Boudreau, F, 2011, Canada
• Claire Kennedy, G, 2011, USA
• Bella Kearney, F, 2011, USA
• Abigail Running, G, 2011, USA
• Alli Hamlen, G, 2011, USA
• Keara Day, D, 2011, USA
• Ainsley Washo, F, 2011, USA
• Keara Day, D, 2011, USA
• Ashleigh Howe, G, 2011, USA
• Genevieve Walsh, F, 2011, USA
• Reka Kerkovits, F, 2011, Hungary