Maggie Averill may be the best 2008 born defender in America. It's high praise for a big defender with big offensive upside.
Maggie Averill is one of the top 2008 born players in the United States. In fact, as one of only two players, and the only defender in her birth year to advance to the final U-18 USA national team selection camp, she stands alone in many ways.
The five-foot-eleven, 14-year-old defender played with the East Coast Wizards U-14 program last season and will compete with her sister Caroline Averill at Assabet Valley this year.
According to Kevin Harrington, a coach in the East Coast Wizards program, Averill is a threat from the backend who can contribute offensively, and loves to join the rush.
"She's a big strong powerful defender with a really heavy shot," said Harrington.
"Loves to jump into the play and uses her size to her advantage," he continued. "Not afraid to turn a 3-on-2 into a 4-on-2 real quick, and she's a player, one of those great players that you have to respect when the puck's on her stick because she'll burn you quickly if you don't."
It's high praise for such a young player, but to beat out hundreds of older players for an opportunity to showcase her skills at USA Hockey's national summer festival and U-18 selection camp, Averill is the real deal.
When she becomes eligible to talk to NCAA program, they'll be lined up around the rink for an opportunity to recruit this budding star of USA's national program.