Top 15 Performers From The U-18 National Championships

After a week of competition, we count down the top 15 performers from the Canadian U-18 national championships.

The 2023 Canadian U-18 women's National Championships concluded in Dawson Creek, British Columbia this week with Team Ontario Red winning gold in overtime over Quebec. British Columbia took a bronze medal on home ice. 

While team performances were the focus of the tournament, a number of players stood out. Here's a look at the top 15 performers, and some honorable mentions, from the tournament.

1. Sara Manness - Team Manitoba - She single handedly kept Manitoba competitive in this tournament and was often not only the best player on her team, but the best players on the ice. It was a performance that earned her tournament MVP honors. Manness played big minutes in all situations and showed her versatility. She effectively took away lanes and applied back-pressure defensively. Offensively, Manness was creative, protected pucks, and displayed quick hands, including under pressure. Her performance here locked in her spot for Canada's U-18 national team.

2. Stryker Zablocki - Team Saskatchewan - Not a shift when by when you didn't notice Stryker Zablocki. She continues to rise above the competition utilizing her blazing speed and willingness to try plays that others don't. Zablocki takes the puck to the net hard, and is always in motion in the offensive zone trolling for open ice and opportunities. Her game is going to translate well to a higher level based on her speed and tenacity alone.

3. Mackenzie Alexander - Ontario Red - When Canada steps on the ice at the U-18 World Championships this year, Alexander will be counted on as a top six performer. She plays with speed and is a constant threat off the rush. Alexander loves to go to the net, and in the offensive zone, she's in constant motion finding her space and creating opportunities. Was named the tournament’s most sportsmanlike player. 

4. Chloe Primerano - Team British Columbia - There are many reasons fans and Hockey Canada's brass are excited for Primerano, and she displayed them all at the national championships. Her ability to transport the puck, join the offense, and use her mobility to ensure that even when she's running and gunning, she's able to recover and be responsible defensively. Her three point performance in the semifinals was prime time Primerano. Hockey Canada needs to drop their norms and fast track Primerano into the senior national team group.

5. Sienna D'Alessandro - Team Quebec - Five points in a come from behind semi-final win, three points in the quarterfinals, Sienne D'Alessandro is a big game player. D'Alessandro plays the game in a calculated manner, showcasing a complete skill set as she patrols the ice. She's pure power, who regularly wins puck battles, and although she won't 'wow' you with flash, D'Alessandro finds ways to produce. She's built like a future national team candidate.

6. Reese Logan - Ontario Red - Logan might not be as flashy as others, but she's a calculated player who has few weaknesses in her game. Her puck protection is high end, and she combines power forward traits with the vision of a playmaker. What will take her beyond others on this list however, is her willingness to play on the other side of the puck. Logan has a good stick, and will block shots. If there's a big moment at either end, she's on then ice.

7. Emma Venusio - Team Ontario Red - Venusio has been one of the top producers not only at the OWHL level, but internationally for Canada. At this tournament, she showed one of her best assets, a cannon for a shot. She blasted an overtime winner, and tormented goaltenders with her blasts from the point. Venusio is an all-around contributor, who is one of Canada's top up and coming defenders.

8. Morgan Jackson - British Columbia - Named the tournament's top forward, Jackson was a constant threat for British Columbia on their star studded lineup. Captaining Shawnigan Lake, she does a lot of heavy lifting, and showed she can elevate her game and contribute in secondary ways when she's not the focal point of every defender on the ice. Jackson is fast, and aggressive on the puck.

9. Caitlin Kraemer - Ontario Red - A quintessential power forward, Kraemer is tough to manage. Whether she's at the net front, on half board on the powerplay, or driving the zone on the rush, Kraemer is a threat. She'll be a focus for other nations on Canada's U-18 team.

10. Berlin Loclacher - Saskatchewan - After starring at the Esso Cup last year, Lolacher continued her breakout year on an even bigger stage. She plays the game at top speed and can finish with pinpoint accuracy. 

11. Rosalie Breton - Quebec - Named the tournament’s best defender, Breton is a smooth skating puck mover who loves to join the rush. She’s always in control and chooses her spots, rarely sacrificing defensive positioning for offensive chances. While Quebec's top line drove the conversation, it was Breton who controlled games for the silver medalists.

12. Claire Murdoch - Ontario Red - Running shotgun with Alexander in this tournament, Murdoch played with pace, and showed her elite vision and playmaking skills. Murdoch was able to draw pressure and open passing lanes utilizing her puck control and skating. Her ability to make those around her better is something teams covet.

13. Jessica MacKinnon - Team Atlantic - MacKinnon is shifty and creative. With the puck, she's an elusive player combining soft hands and her skating skills to find open ice and create chances. She was dangerous this summer at Canada's summer showcase, and was Team Atlantic's top player.

14. Abby Stonehouse - Ontario Red - If there's a player out there who fits the mold of what Canada's senior national team looks for, it's Stonehouse. She plays an all around game with an extremely high compete level. She's physical, she's in your face, and she's reliable at both ends of the ice. Stonehouse also has underrated offensive skills.

15. Gracie Graham - British Columbia - Behind BC's attack, was Gracie Graham. She allows players like Primerano and Jackson to take their chances, as Graham can clean up any situation single handedly. She's physical, and uses her size and strength to win pucks. Graham has a big shot, but thrives in controlling her own zone, and quickly transitioning pucks to the attack.

Honorable Mentions - Hannah Clark (Ontario Red), Sage Babey (Saskatchewan), Loelle Lachepelle (Quebec), Tristan Thompson (Ontario Red), Emma Beuachamp (Quebec), Maxim Tremblay (Quebec), Leah Wicks (Atlantic), Victoria Veilleaux (Quebec), Rylan Haslam (Ontario Blue), Rhyah Stewart (Atlantic), Morgan Smith (Manitoba)