Ontario Red will look to repeat as national champions at the Canadian U-18 nationals. We take a look at how each roster stacks up.
Ontario Red will look to repeat as national champions at the Canadian U-18 nationals. We take a look at how each roster stacks up.
Ontario Red is set to enter the 2024 U-18 Canadian national championships in Quispamsis, New Brunswick with a repeat on the mind. In last year's final Ontario Red defeated Quebec 3-2 in overtime to take the title. It was a closer contest than most expected as Ontario Red was a roster loaded with U-18 national team members. This year, Ontario Red returns with 13 members of Canada's national team from their summer series against the USA.
Here's a team-by-team look at how each province stacks up for the upcoming national championships:
Team Ontario Red
As always, Team Ontario Red will enter as the favorite. Members of Canada's national U-18 team from this summer are abundant on the roster including forwards Riley Sorokan, Rachel Piggott, Caleigh Tiller, Maxine Cimeroni, Maddie McCullough, Sofia Ismael, Lexie Bertelson, Aubrey Morrison, and Dorothy Copetti. On the blueline Kate Viel, Sydney Sawyer, and Alex Therien all have national team experience, as does netminder Amelia Wilkinson. The rest of Team Ontario Red, aside from netminder Tara Bach, defender all attended Canada's U-18 national team selection camp this summer.
Team BC
Aurora Kahlert and Danica Maynard will play big minutes on the blueline for Team BC after representing Canada at the U-18 Summer Series against the USA. While she's eligible, BC will be without Chloe Primerano who made the jump to the NCAA a year early. Nine players on the roster come from the RINK Academy in Kelowna. Kennedy Sisson, a 2008 born forward for RINK will be one of BC's top offensive talents, while London McDavid, Molly Cole, Tiani Makoksis, and Tara Lonsdale are other names to watch up front.
Team Alberta
One of Alberta's strength's will likely be in net where Alyssa Barrette, a member of Canada's summer U-18 team, and Taya Christie who attended camp with Canada will look to shutdown shooters. They'll have help on the backend from Sade Sandilands, another member of Canada's summer roster, and highly touted Edmonton blueliner Ciara Lang. Ella Lloyd is another defender to watch. Scoring will be the biggest challenge for Alberta at this year's tournament, but they have a group of forwards, including Daniella Martorana and Layla Matthew from the Edmonton Jr. Oilers, Emelia McDermid from RINK, and a wealth of depth from CSSHL and the AFHL that will look to make a name for themselves.
Team Ontario Blue
Team Ontario Red is where the current stars reside, but Team Ontario Blue is where Canada gets introduced to another wave of talent from the OWHL U-22 Elite circuit, Canada's best junior league for women. Ontario follows Hockey Canada's pathway by not inviting 2009 born players, although it would have been exciting to see players like Adrianna Milani and Jordan Mulvihill suiting up. Mae Severn is a player to watch for Ontario Blue. She's off to a hot start with the Barrie Jr. Sharks. Madison Campbell could steal the show in net as the Durham West Jr. Lightning backstopper is a rising prospect.
Team Saskatchewan
If there's a Western province that could surprise many at this tournament, keep an eye on Saskatchewan. They have one of the best forwards in the nation in Stryker Zablocki, who will have Berlin Lolacher running shotgun. This tournament could also be the national coming out party for Alida Korte, who is considered one of the top 2008 born players in Canada. Saskatchewan will also have scoring support from players like Kolbee Ashe, Halle Duchene, and Addison Greve. In net Ava Drabyk will be Saskatchewan's backbone. With the departure of players like Brooklyn Nimegeers and Avery Gottselig, Saskatchewan's biggest question mark is on the blueline. They are relatively green, without a ton of offensive kick from the back.
Team Manitoba
Sara Manness and Hayley McDonald will be a difficult one-two punch to defend up front in this tournament. Manness was named MVP of the tournament last season. Both are experienced, internationally with Canada, and from this tournament. Maddie Kaiser is off to a roaring start with Balmoral Hall in the CSSHL and could be a breakout performer to keep an eye on, as is Rio Pierre who is among the leaders in Manitoba's top U-18 league in scoring. Kate Manness will anchor the blueline for Manitoba. 2009 born defender Attica Sobering is one to watch on Manitoba's backend.
Team Atlantic
Typically combined to make the Maritime provinces more competitive, there are some high end players on this roster for the 2024 tournaent. Ava Wood and Kendall Doiron are the top forwards in the mix, but they'll be backed by Hali-Rose MacLean, Brooke Williams, and Isabelle Michaud. On the blueline, Leah Wicks will be this team's leader. Megan Mossey has made a seamless transition to playing with the Etobicoke Dolphins in Ontario this season, and the 2009 born blueliner is a star in the making.
Team Quebec
With Marilou Grenier in net, anything can happen for Team Quebec, although they don't have the same depth as the team that advanced to overtime of the championships last year. Rosalie Tremblay will be one of the most potent scorers in the tournament up front, and Loélie Lachapelle and Laurence Lafluer should provide a strong secondary punch. Rachel Bishop is the only returnee on what looks like a green blueline. 2009 born forward Madison Lévesque is the first entrant to Team Quebec from Bourget College, and she's a dynamic player to watch.