The 2024 Esso Cup is in the books after the Regina Rebels beat the North York storm in the gold medal game, and the Edmonton Jr. Oilers took bronze defeating the host Okanagan-Thompson Lakers in Vernon, British Columbia.

The 2024 Esso Cup is in the books after the Regina Rebels beat the North York storm in the gold medal game, and the Edmonton Jr. Oilers took bronze defeating the host Okanagan-Thompson Lakers in Vernon, British Columbia.

Here's a look at the top 10 players from the 2024 Esso Cup:

1. Stryker Zablocki, F, 2007, Regina Rebels - No one in this tournament can match Zablocki's skating, puck skills, and wicked release. She was in a league of her own here. When she turned on the jets, Zablocki quickly separated from defenders, and using her edges and vision, she was able to freeze netminders and defenders to create shooting lanes or to put her opponents out of position. After losing their stars over the last two years, Northeastern will be anxiously awaiting Zablocki's arrival in the NCAA. From last year to this year, the quickness and tempo of Zablocki's release and shot were noticeable improvements.

2. Berlin Lolacher, F, 2007, Regina Rebels - The second half of Regina's one-two punch, Lolacher showed another gear compared to last year's tournament. Last year it was her quickness, east-west skating, and soft hands that showed. This year, Lolacher had all of that again, but added a little more power to her stride, and showed herself as a more capable finisher a year later. She's committed to Mercyhurst, and could turn into one of the better additions to the Lakers lineup in recent memory.

3. Brooklyn Nimeegers, D, 2006, Regina Rebels - Backbone of Regina's team,  Nimeegers makes good outlet passes and can transport the puck out of trouble and through zones herself. She's headed to Princeton next year. 

4. Ciara Lang, D, 2008, Edmonton Jr. Oilers - The 16-year-old blueliner certainly made a name for herself at the tournament earning Best Defender honors. Lang is a strong distributer of the puck who quietly drives offense from the point.

5. Kendall Doiron, F, 2008, Northern Selects - Silky hands and quick feet. She changes her plane of attack driving across lanes, but in tight can also dangle. It's a high speed game for Doiron, who will find NCAA teams knocking this summer.

6. Ella Llyod, D, 2007, Edmonton Jr. Oilers - Highly competitive, Llyod plays a physical game but can also generate offense off the transition and on the powerplay. She walks the blueline well and can pound pucks through to the net from the point, or as she slides into the zone. Two-way blueliner who will join Zablocki at Northeastern.

7. Jorja Burrows, G, 2006, Northern Selects - Faced more than 40 additional shots against than any other goalie in the tournament, Burrows faced a lot of rubber and made big save after big save keeping things closer for the Northern Selects. 

8. Addison Greve, F, 2007, Regina Rebels - One of the top uncommitted scorers in Saskatchewan, Greve is often overlooked in the shadow of Zablocki and Lolacher, but she quietly produces. Greve doesn't just rely on the others, she has a good shot and is a physical player.

9. Sydney Bowness, F, 2009, North York Storm - The 15-year-old Bowness finished tied for the tournament scoring lead with Zablocki and Lolacher, recoding 11 points in seven games. She was also named the Esso Cup's Most Sportsmanlike Player. Bowness excelled at finding open spaces and tracking pucks to the net. 

10. Olivia VanSickle, D, 2009, North York Storm - The 2009 born defender showed poise in this tournament, and also an ability to strike offensively, particularly on the powerplay. VanSickle has a strong shot, that doesn't require a wind up. She puts pucks safely through traffic and the results showed. At 5-foot-10, VanSickle has the frame to be a modern women's hockey defender combining size and skill.

Honorable Mention: Hali-Rose MacLean, Laurence Lafluer, Ella Dunham-Fox, Layla Matthew, Lily Paisley