Top 10 Performers From The 2023 Esso Cup

The Esso Cup, Canada's U-18 national club championships wrapped up this week with the Stoney Creek Sabres winning gold in a dramatic comeback over the Fraser Valley Rush.

The Sabres were the youngest team in the competition featuring an abundance of 2008 and 2009 born players.

Alumni of the tournament, who won tournament honors, include Brigette Lacquette, Michela Cava, Jade Downie-Landry, Alex Poznikoff, Sophie Shirley, and Nara Elia, to name a few, along with dozens of NCAA and USports standouts graduating from the tournament each year.

This year will be no different with an impressive lineup of stars emerging from the 2023 Esso Cup. Here are the top 10 names to watch from the tournament.

Madison Burr can flat out score. Whenever she entered the zone at this tournament, she was a threat, and her release fooled goalies as she at will picked corners. One of Burr's less heralded, yet equally impressive traits was her puck distribution. Burr never forced her shots, instead finding linemates with pinpoint accuracy. Whether it was a cross crease pass, or turning to wait for support and then dishing, Burr is also an elite passer. Physically, the five-foot-seven forward engaged regularly, not shying away from puck battles, and it paid off. Scoring 62 goals and 114 points in 70 games this season with Stoney Creek, Burr proved she can elevate her game at the Esso Cup, and was named tournament MVP. Down 3-1 entering the third period of the gold medal game, Burr scored two goals and an assist, including the game winning goal with just over a minute remaining to lift Stoney Creek to a comeback championship. Burr finished with 15 points in seven games.

When Zablocki was on the ice, there was no way to ignore her presence. The 2007 born forward notched 25 goals and 40 points in 30 games in Saskatchewan's U-18 'AAA' league this season, and dominated at the Esso Cup. Her foot speed and first step explosiveness was evident all tournament, busting through defenders to win races to loose pucks, and when she arrived at the puck, Zablocki was able to manipulate her pace to generate space and shooting or passing lanes. At top speed, Zablocki flashed her hands and creativity. Her puck protection, benefited by smooth edge work, helped Zablocki and the Rebels maintain possession. She's currently uncommitted, but NCAA teams will be lining up to court the Prince Albert, Saskatchewan product after the year she had.

Aynsley D'Ottavio's ability to evade checkers as she transports the puck from her own zone and along the offensive blueline was impressive. D'Ottavio, a 2005 born prospect is headed to Quinnipiac next season where she'll need to move the puck more quickly, because at the U-18 level, she can dance and stickhandle through entire lines, which won't be possible at the next level. Her heads up style allows D'Ottavio to out wait opponents and her ability to manipulate her own stick opens shooting and passing lanes. Solid in her own zone, D'Ottavio's real talent is evident in the offensive zone, where she has the skill to quarterback a powerplay in the NCAA. D'Ottavio was named the tournament's top defender. She finished with eight points in seven games.

You would never know that Kendall Doiron was only 14-years-old when this tournament was played. Her acceleration and creativity with the puck generated scoring chances whenever she was on the ice. At times Doiron made those around her look like they were standing still. Whether it's in pursuit, or with the puck, Doiron was consistently pushing the pace and at 14, was the best player on this U-18 regional champion. Prep programs and NCAA teams will be wooing Doiron who had 18 goals and 31 points in 24 games for the Northern Selects this year. As fast as she plays, Doiron's control in tight spaces and on the powerplay were also noticeable. Doiron was named Most Sportsmanlike at the tournament.

Opponents probably got tired of seeing Henderson's celebrations, because she led the tournament with nine goals. The St. Cloud State recruit always seemed to be in the play, and getting under her opponents' skin. She's a strong skater who plays a heads up game finding gaps in the defense where she uses her acceleration to break through. When she arrives, Henderson's head is always up picking her targets with pinpoint accuracy. Henderson had 36 goals and 65 points in only 29 games this year. Henderson was named the Top Forward at the tournament. Henderson had 10 points in seven games.

Perhaps the best all around player in the tournament, Tiller is a strong defensive forward with good offensive upside. She was strong on the backcheck using her stick to take away lanes. She also played a net front role on the first powerplay unit, and with the puck on her stick, flashed both a hard shot, and playmaking skills, while reading the play well and cycling into scoring position. Always has her feet moving and drifts into soft spots to get herself open for pucks, Tiller finished with 11 points in seven games. Her twin sister Chelsea was also strong on the blueline for the Sabres playing big minutes in all situations. 

Committed to Princeton, Nimegeers was Regina's top defender in the tournament. A consistent distributor with a solid first pass, Nimegeers controlled the pace of play most nights for the Rebels. One of Nimegeers strongest points came in transition, where she'd quickly change directions and open up the ice for her teammates. Nimegeers also proved a tough customer along the board and in the corners for Regina, providing a physical presence.

Rubin is one of the few elite players in this tournament staying North of the border for university, as she's committed to play at McGill University. The best tool in Rubin's arsenal is her shot, which she unleashed with force and accuracy. That said, Rubin also excels at fighting off checkers and battle to keep plays alive. There's a lot of effort in her game, and it can shift momentum in her team's favor. 

Playing alongside Zablocki on a youthful line for the Rebels, Lolacher has game breaking speed and silky hands. The duo of Lolacher and Zablocki were all over the scoresheet, but also played an important role as the top forward pairing on Regina's penalty kill. Lolacher is as strong of an east-west skater as she is moving north-south and did not shy away from taking the puck to the middle of the ice or driving to the net.

Watching Mikayla Barnes, it would have been impossible to know she was the only 2009 born player in the tournament. Barnes is offensively gifted, and despite her youth, engaged physically and did not shy away from puck battles. She stuck with plays and patiently scanned the ice for shooting or passing lanes. There's no doubt Barnes will step forward as one of the top 2009 born prospects in Ontario, if not Canada.

Honourable Mention - Tara Bach, Peyton Anzivino, Nahvin Bal, Jade Lore, Loelie Lachapelle, Darragh Browne, Gillian Lapierre, Béatrice Plouffe, Leah Barnard.