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Bronze medallists a year ago in Vernon, the Edmonton Jr. Oilers are returning to the Esso Cup ready to become champions.
With only a single overtime loss across 36 games this season, the Jr. Oilers held a 21-game win streak from Oct. 2 to Jan. 19. Notably, that loss came at the hands of the Esso Cup hosts, the Lloydminster Steelers. The Jr. Oilers finished atop the Alberta Female Hockey League and swept past the Greater Vancouver Comets in the Pacific Regional to qualify for a tournament-leading ninth Esso Cup.
The Jr. Oilers are loaded with experience and talent, with eight players returning from last year. Six players also represented Alberta at the 2024 U18 Women’s National Championship (Taya Christie, Ciara Lang, Keira Grant, Paige Smith, Layla Matthew and Daniella Martorana). Edmonton is also a highly scouted team with 16 university and college commitments on its roster.
Edmonton scored 124 goals during the regular season—36 more than the next highest team in the AFHL, and the Jr. Oilers iced eight of the top 10 scorers, led by Parker Small (11-20—31). Tavia Koscielnuk was the top rookie scorer for Edmonton, finishing fifth with 11 goals and 26 points. However, the offence is not limited to forwards. Lang (8-19—27), Cadence Richards (8-18—26) and Bree Prediger (9-14—23) finished in the top 10 of AFHL scoring as defenders.
Between the pipes, the Jr. Oilers have the best goaltending duo in Alberta. Returning netminder Ella Dunham-Fox earned a 15-1 record, 1.03 goals-against average and .948 save percentage, while Christie topped the AFHL with a 12-0 record, 0.78 GAA and .960 save percentage.
Although the Jr. Oilers have had the most appearances at Canada’s U18 Women’s National Club Championship, the team has never lifted the Esso Cup. Their best performances were silver medal finishes in 2011 and 2014.
HOW THEY GOT TO LLOYDMINSTER
Alberta Female Hockey League
Quarterfinal: defeated Sherwood Park Kings 2-0 (5-2, 7-1)
Semifinal: defeated Calgary Fire Red 2-0 (3-1, 1-0)
Final: defeated St. Albert Slash 2-0 (5-1, 3-0)
Pacific Regional
Championship: defeated Greater Vancouver Comets 2-0 (3-2, 4-0)
REGULAR SEASON
Record (W-L-OTL): 27-0-1 (1st in AFHL)
Goals for: 124 (1st in AFHL)
Goals against: 26 (1st in AFHL)
Longest winning streak: 21 (Oct. 2-Jan. 19)
Top 3 scorers:
- Parker Small – 11G 20A 31P (2nd in AFHL)
- Ciara Lang – 8G 19A 27P (3rd in AFHL)
- Evie Hanson – 12G 14A 26P (4th in AFHL)
PLAYOFFS
Record: 8-0
Goals for: 31
Goals against: 7
Top 3 scorers:
- Keira Grant – 7G 4A 11P
- Daniella Martorana – 2G 5A 7P
- Reanna Loberg and Julia Curran – 3G 3A 6P
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY
2024 – Edmonton Jr. Oilers | bronze medal | 5-2 | 17GF 11GA
2015 – Edmonton Thunder | 5th place | 2-3 | 9GF 10GA
2014 – Edmonton Thunder | silver medal | 3-4 | 16GF 18GA
2013 – Edmonton Thunder | bronze medal | 6-1 | 23GF 18GA
2012 – Edmonton Thunder | bronze medal | 3-4 | 15GF 12GA
2011 – Edmonton Thunder | silver medal | 6-1 | 26GF 12GA
2010 – Edmonton Thunder | bronze medal | 3-4 | 17GF 18GA
2009 – Edmonton Thunder | 4th place | 2-4 | 17GF 14GA
UNIVERSITY COMMITMENTS
Taya Christie – University of New Brunswick
Julia Curran – Boston University
Keira Grant – University of New Brunswick
Evie Hanson – Union College
Dejah Howes – University of Windsor
Ciara Lang – Clarkson University
Reanna Loberg – Union College
Daniella Martorana – Merrimack College
Layla Matthew – Clarkson University
Bree Prediger – Merrimack College
Madeline Renfree – University of New Brunswick
Cadence Richards – Brown University
Jayde Sansregret – University of New Brunswick
Parker Small – Long Island University
Paige Smith – Bemidji State University
Tayah Wallace – University of British Columbia
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