CALGARY, Alta. – Hockey Canada announced today that it has cancelled all summer camps for national teams through Sept. 1 due to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. As the decision was made with the health and safety of all coaches, staff and participants as the top priority, Hockey Canada maintains a commitment and high standard of excellence to learning and coaching. As such, various programming and training sessions will be held virtually this summer.

“It is certainly disappointing to come to this decision for our summer events this year, but it is the right decision as we keep the health and safety of our participants a priority,” said Tom Renney, chief executive officer of Hockey Canada. “There is level of camaraderie and learning that takes place in-person, but we have found a way to mitigate some of the impact and still share best-in-class experiences through virtual learning. The coaches and professionals in their field will continue to guide and lead our athletes so when we are able to return to hockey, they will be physically and mentally prepared and equipped to compete at the highest level.”

The following national team camps and programs will be delivered virtually:

• BFL Canada National Women’s Under-18 Team Summer Camp, presented by Sobeys (April 26 until 2021 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship)
• BFL Canada National Women’s Development Team Summer Camp, presented by Sobeys (May 3 until athletes return to university)
• Program of Excellence coach seminar (May 25-June 5)
• Program of Excellence goaltender development camp (June 9-12)
• Canada’s national under-17 development camp (July 19-25)
• Canada’s National Junior Team Sport Chek Summer Development Camp (July 27-31)

Topics for virtual sessions will include at-home strength and conditioning plans, mental performance plans and check-ins, nutrition, dry-land skills, skating simulations, team-building activities, short-term international competition preparation and meetings with coaching staffs.

The online seminar delivery for both women’s programs will take place up to twice weekly, with critical information being communicated to athletes to allow them to continue to evolve as high-performance athletes in this new environment, and will utilize the strengths and experience of Canada’s National Women’s Program leadership to help connect one-on-one, athlete-to-athlete. The men’s programs will take place during the specified dates.

In the coming weeks, Hockey Canada will also be announcing the rosters and staff named to the national team programs.

HOCKEY CANADA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS & EVENTS

Following the March cancellation of the remainder of the 2019-20 hockey season, which included all national championships, Hockey Canada has worked diligently with the various host organizing committees to plan for the 2020-21 season and beyond.

“During these unprecedented times, Hockey Canada has had to make changes to its season schedule to prioritize the health and safety of all participants at our national events, impacting various host committees and communities across the country,” said Scott Smith, president and chief operating officer of Hockey Canada. “We appreciate the support and dedication by our upcoming host committees to adjust our schedule for the next two hockey seasons, and we look forward to working with these communities to put on world-class events.”

The following changes have been made to Hockey Canada event hosting agreements following the cancellation of all spring events this season:

• Prince Albert, Sask., which was set to host the 2020 Esso Cup, Canada’s U18 Women’s Club Championship, will retain its hosting rights for the 2021 Esso Cup. Lloydminster, Alta., will host the 2022 Esso Cup.
• Saint-Hyacinthe, Que., and Cape Breton, N.S., were awarded the TELUS Cup, Canada’s U18 Club Championship, in 2020 and 2021, respectively, but Hockey Canada has worked with both communities and Members to re-assign future hosting. Cape Breton has been confirmed as the host in 2022, and Saint-Hyacinthe is being considered as the host in 2021 or 2023.
• The 2020 Centennial Cup, presented by Tim Hortons, set to be played in Portage la Prairie, Man., will be hosted in Penticton, B.C., in May 2021. Estevan, Sask., will host Canada’s National Junior A Championship in 2022, with the potential for the event to return to Portage la Prairie in 2023.
• Niagara Falls, Ont., was selected to host the 2020 Hockey Canada Foundation Gala & Golf this June, but instead will host the 2021 edition of the event.

While Hockey Canada continues to work closely with local, provincial, territorial and national health authorities, the current event schedule remains unchanged for the fall and winter. This includes the 2020 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, Oct. 31-Nov. 7 in Charlottetown and Summerside, P.E.I.; 2020 National Women’s Under-18 Championship, Nov. 2-8 in Dawson Creek, B.C.; 2020 Canadian Tire Para Hockey Cup, Dec. 6-12 in Bridgewater, N.S.; 2020 World Junior A Challenge, Dec. 13-20 in Cornwall, Ont.; and 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship, Dec. 26 to Jan 5 in in Edmonton and Red Deer, Alta.

For more information on Hockey Canada, please visit HockeyCanada.ca or follow along via social media on Facebook and Twitter.

CALGARY, Alta. – Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team coaching staff announced Wednesday that Lauren Wildfang (Waterdown, Ont./Toronto, PWHL) has been named captain, while Karly Heffernan (Sherwood Park, Alta./Edge School for Athletes, JWHL), Hannah Miller (Vancouver, B.C./Okanagan Hockey Academy, JWHL) and Eve-Audrey Picard (Longueuil, Que./Quebec North, Midget AAA) have been named alternate captains, for this week’s three-game series against the United States.

The puck drops on the series against the United States’ Women’s National Under-18 Team at 4 p.m. ET on Thursday, Aug. 22, at the Herb Brooks Arena at the Olympic Center in Lake Placid, N.Y. The second game is scheduled for 4 p.m. ET on Friday, Aug. 23, while the third and final game takes place at 10 a.m. ET on Sunday, Aug. 25. All games are available for viewing online at usahockey.fasthockey.com for $7.99 per game.

The 13 forwards, seven defencemen and two goaltenders who will represent Canada in the three-game series against the United States were chosen following Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team selection camp, held Aug. 10-18 at the Canadian International Hockey Academy in Rockland, Ont.

Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team has been assembled by Melody Davidson, general manager of Canada’s national women’s team programs, Hockey Canada’s team of scouts, along with Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team head coach Laura Schuler (Scarborough, Ont./University of Minnesota Duluth, WCHA) and assistant coaches Jackie Friesen (Regina, Sask./University of Wisconsin, WCHA) and Cassandra Turner (Campbellford, Ont./Quinnipiac University, ECAC). 

Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team features:

• four players who won the gold medal with Ontario Blue at the 2012 National Women’s Under-18 Championship in Dawson Creek, B.C. (Bach, Leslie, MacMillan and Noronha);
• two players who participated in the 2013 IIHF Women’s High Performance Camp in Sheffield, England, earlier this month (Hart and Potomak);
• two players who won the gold medal with Canada’s National Women’s Under-18-Team at the 2013 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 Women’s World Championship in Heinola, Finland (Heffernan and Miller);
• one player who won the gold medal with LHFDQ Nord at the 2013 Esso Cup, Canada’s National Female Midget Championship, in Burnaby, B.C. (Picard)

Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team by province:

• Ontario – nine (Bach, Leslie, MacMillan, Noronha, Pinkney, Sauvé, Tiley, Wildfang and Wilson-Bennett)
• British Columbia – five (Bellerive, Hart, Miller, Potomak and Spring)
• Quebec – four (Labelle, Lalancette, Picard and Stacey)
• Alberta – three (Fieseler, Healey and Heffernan)
• Manitoba – one (Krzyszczyk)

Following the series, Hockey Canada scouts, along with the team’s coaching staff, will continue to evaluate players with their provincial and club teams during the 2013-14 season, in preparation for selecting the Canadian team that will compete at the 2014 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 Women’s World Championship next April.

NOTE TO MEDIA: Please contact Kristen Lipscombe, Hockey Canada’s communications coordinator, for any interview requests at (403) 826-4819 or klipscombe@hockeycanada.ca.

Canada’s National Women’s Program Red-White Series also kicks off this week in Calgary, with the 27 players currently centralized with Canada’s National Women’s Team and 13 players chosen from Canada’s National Women’s Development Team selection camp forming two teams for a three-game series. Games are scheduled for 7 p.m. MT on Wednesday, Aug. 21, 7 p.m. MT on Thursday, Aug. 22 and 10 a.m. MT on Saturday, Aug. 24 at the Markin MacPhail Centre, Hockey Canada’s home arena at Canada Olympic Park.

Please contact Kristen Lipscombe or Francis Dupont, Hockey Canada’s media relations manager, for interview requests on site or by phone at (587) 999-5681 or fdupont@hockeycanada.ca.                                

For more information on Canada’s National Women’s Program and Hockey Canada, please visit www.hockeycanada.ca/nwt, or follow along through social media at www.facebook.com/hockeycanada, and www.twitter.com/hc_women.

CALGARY, Alberta – Hockey Canada has announced the host locations for Canada’s 2026 U18 national club championships, with the Esso Cup set for Dieppe, New Brunswick, and the TELUS Cup heading to Peterborough, Ontario.

“Hosting premier hockey events takes a tremendous effort from everyone in the chosen communities,” said Dean McIntosh, senior vice-president of revenue, fan experience and community impact. “From volunteers, sponsors and the fans, Canadians from coast to coast to coast step up every year to help grow the game of hockey and provide lifelong memories for these athletes.”

From April 19-25, the Moncton Rockets of the Maritime Major Female Hockey League (MMFHL) will welcome five regional champions to compete for Canada’s U18 Women’s National Club Championship at the UNIplex. It marks the first time the Esso Cup has been hosted in the province of New Brunswick and fourth time the Rockets have competed in the event (2010, 2014, 2015), and represents a partnership between Hockey Canada, Hockey New Brunswick and the City of Dieppe.

“We’re absolutely thrilled to welcome the nation’s top U18 AAA female hockey teams and players to our community for the 2026 Esso Cup,” said Mélanie McGrath, co-chair of the Esso Cup host organizing committee. “This tournament is a celebration of talent, determination, and the bright future of women’s hockey in Canada. We’re honored to be part of this incredible event and can’t wait to create unforgettable memories for the players, families, and fans.”

The Peterborough Junior AAA Petes of the Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA) will make their national championship debut at the TELUS Cup, which is set for April 20-26 at the Peterborough Memorial Centre. The 2026 event marks the return of Canada’s U18 Men’s National Club Championship to Ontario for the first time since 2019 in Thunder Bay and is hosted in partnership with the Ontario Hockey Federation (OHF) and the City of Peterborough.

“We’re thrilled to welcome the TELUS Cup to Peterborough— this is the most exciting hockey moment for our community since we hosted the Memorial Cup in 1996,” said City of Peterborough Mayor Jeff Leal. “In Peterborough, hockey is more than a game, it is part of our identity. The TELUS Cup is an incredible chance to cheer on the future stars of the sport, showcase our facilities and the home of the legendary Peterborough Petes, and celebrate everything that makes Peterborough an unforgettable destination not only for minor hockey, but also for active family fun.”

Fans can stay up to date on news about the 2026 Esso Cup and 2026 TELUS Cup, including schedules, ticket information and other promotions, by signing up to become a Hockey Canada Insider.

The 2025 Esso Cup is currently being played in Lloydminster, Alberta, with the host Steelers welcoming the Eastern Stars (Atlantic), Edmonton Jr. Oilers (Pacific), Étoiles de Laurentides-Lanaudière (Québec), North York Storm (Ontario) and Saskatoon Stars (West).

The 2025 TELUS Cup is underway in Chilliwack, British Columbia, with the host Thunderbirds joined by the Elgin Middlesex Canucks (Central), Chevaliers de Lévis (Québec), Moncton Flyers (Atlantic), Okanagan Rockets (Pacific) and Regina Pat Canadians (West).

For more information on Hockey Canada, the Esso Cup and the TELUS Cup, please visit HockeyCanada.ca or follow along via social media on Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok.
About Peterborough:

Peterborough is a vibrant mid-size city shaped by its connection to nature, the waterway, community, and a rich tradition of sport and recreation. Conveniently located 90 minutes northeast of Toronto, on the doorstep of The Kawarthas cottage country, Peterborough is the largest urban centre on the historic, 386-kilometre Trent-Severn Waterway, named one of 52 destinations to visit in 2025 by New York Times. Peterborough is located on the Treaty 20 Michi Saagiig Anishinaabeg territory and in the traditional territory of the Michi Saagiig and Chippewa Nations, known collectively as the Williams Treaty First Nations.

About Dieppe:
Dieppe is the fourth largest city in the maritime province of New Brunswick located on the outskirts of the City of Moncton. A primarily francophone community, over 63% of the residents consider French as their mother tongue. Named in honor of the Canadian soldiers killed during the landing of Allied troops on the beaches in Dieppe, France in 1942, Dieppe is located along the Petitcodiac River and forms the southeastern part of the Greater Moncton Area. Dieppe is located on the unceded and unsurrendered territories of the Wolastoqiyik, Mi'gmaq, and Peskotomuhkati peoples.

The Saskatoon Stars’ best finish at the Esso Cup was a silver medal in 2018, and it’s been six years since they last competed at the Esso Cup. Finally West Region champions again and capturing gold is the goal in Lloydminster.

Perennial runners-up in the Saskatchewan Female U18 AAA Hockey League (SFU18AAAHL) since 2022-23, the Stars will make a fifth appearance at Canada’s U18 Women’s National Club Championship.

Saskatoon is loaded with young talent across their roster. There are nine first-year players on the roster: six forwards, two defenders and one goaltender. Rookie Sadie Green was second in Stars scoring with 17 goals and 36 points during the regular season before adding nine goals and five helpers in the playoffs.

In goal, Saskatoon has been riding Tarynn Sutter in her first season in the SFU18AAAHL. Sutter posted a 15-2 record in the regular season with two shutouts, a 1.78 goals-against average and .940 save percentage. Her strong play continued in the playoffs, with Sutter earning a 5-2 record, 1.58 GAA and .932 save percentage.

The Stars last qualified for the Esso Cup in 2019 and have always put in strong performances on the national stage. Saskatoon topped the preliminary-round standings in both 2018 and 2019, led by Mackenna Parker (2018) and Anna Leschyshyn (2019) who finished as top scorer of their respective tournaments. Along with silver in 2018, the Stars earned bronze in 2015 and their goal is to complete their collection of medals with gold this year.

There are big shoes to fill for the West Region champions after the Regina Rebels won the 2024 Esso Cup. In tournament history, Saskatchewan teams have won three national titles (2011 Notre Dame Hounds, 2014 Weyburn Gold Wings, 2024 Regina Rebels) and have been on the podium six times since 2009.

HOW THEY GOT TO LLOYDMINSTER

Saskatchewan Female U18 AAA Hockey League
Quarterfinal: defeated Weyburn Gold Wings 2-0 (7-1, 7-1)
Semifinal: defeated Swift Current Wildcats 2-1 (6-3, 0-2, 5-2)
Final: defeated Battlefords Sharks 2-1 (3-0, 1-2, 6-1)

West Regional
Championship: defeated Eastman Selects 2-1 (1-2, 5-4, 6-0)

REGULAR SEASON

Record (W-OTW-OTL-L): 18-4-0-8 (2nd in SFU18AAAHL)
Goals for: 110 (2nd in SFU18AAAHL)
Goals against: 67 (2nd in SFU18AAAHL)
Longest winning streak: 7 (Dec. 7-Jan. 16)

Top 3 scorers:
- Halle Duchene – 20G 21A 41P (2nd in SFU18AAAHL)
- Sadie Green – 17G 19A 36P (5th in SFU18AAAHL)
- Kolbee Ashe – 17G 18A 35P (6th in SFU18AAAHL)

PLAYOFFS

Record: 8-3
Goals for: 47
Goals against: 18

Top 3 scorers:
- Halle Duchene – 7G 8A 15P
- Sadie Green – 9G 5A 14P
- Kolbee Ashe – 6G 4A 10P

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY

2015 – Saskatoon Stars | bronze medal | 5-2 | 26GF 14GA
2016 – Saskatoon Stars | 4th place | 3-4 | 11GF 16GA
2018 – Saskatoon Stars | silver medal | 6-1 | 29GF 6GA
2019 – Saskatoon Stars | 4th place | 4-3 | 29GF 21GA

UNIVERSITY COMMITMENTS

Kolbee Ashe – Rochester Institute of Technology
Kinley Brassard – Minot State University
Halle Duchene – Mercyhurst University
Claire Moorman – University of Manitoba

The North York Storm went home with silver at the 2024 Esso Cup. Now they’re back hungry for gold.

The Ontario Region champions have been a top team in the Ontario Women’s Hockey Association (OWHA) for several years—the Storm narrowly missed out on qualifying for the 2023 Esso Cup, losing in the gold medal game at the OWHA provincial championship to the eventual national champions, the Stoney Creek Sabres.

Last year in their Esso Cup debut, the Storm sat fourth after the preliminary round (2-3) but defeated the Edmonton Jr. Oilers 4-1 to advance to the gold medal game. North York had edged the Regina Rebels 7-6 in overtime during the prelims, but the Rebels came away with a 2-1 win to claim Canada’s Women’s U18 National Club Championship.

This season, the Storm went19-1-2 during the regular season to finish first in the OWHL Southern standings. The momentum from the league playoffs carried into the provincial tournament, where for the second year in a row, the Storm allowed only four goals to punch their ticket back to the Esso Cup.

North York has a wealth of experience, with 16 players returning from Vernon. It will look to continue a run of success by Ontario teams; the region has put a team in the gold medal game in three consecutive years and has not finished lower than fourth place in the 14 editions of the tournament.

HOW THEY GOT TO LLOYDMINSTER

Ontario Women’s Hockey Association
Playdowns: 2-0-0 – 2nd place in Region Q (defeated Toronto Aeros 2-0; defeated Scarborough Sharks 3-0)
Preliminary round: 2-0-1 – 1st place in Group A (tied North Halton Twisters 1-1; defeated Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds 5-2; defeated Central York Panthers 2-0)
Quarterfinal: defeated Clarington Flames 2-0
Semifinal: defeated Peterborough Ice Kats 1-0
Final: defeated Stratford Aces 2-1

REGULAR SEASON

Record (W-L-T): 19-1-2 (1st in OWHL Southern)
Goals for: 86 (2nd in OWHL Southern)
Goals against: 16 (1st in OWHL Southern)
Longest winning streak: 9 (Oct. 5-Dec. 15)

PLAYOFFS

Record: 8-0-2
Goals for: 34
Goals against: 7

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY

2024 – North York Storm | silver medal | 3-4 | 23GF 21GA

The Étoiles de Laurentides-Lanaudière were one game away from representing Quebec at consecutive Esso Cups in 2024.

A 4-3 overtime win over the Intrépide de l’Outaouais sent the Étoiles to the Esso Cup in 2023—their second appearance at Canada’s U18 Women’s National Club Championship. The Intrépide bounced back and shut out the Étoiles 2-0 in the 2024 Coupe Chevrolet provincial championship .

The Étoiles and Intrépide were top two in the Ligue de hockey d'excellence du Québec (LHEQ) again this season, with Outaouais edging Laurentides-Lanaudière by three points to top the standings. However, the Étoiles scored more goals (125) and allowed fewer (37), collecting a 23-5-0 record.

To return to the Esso Cup this year, the Étoiles would need to get past their provincial rivals; they defeated the Intrépide in the preliminary round and semifinals to book their spot in the provincial final. With the Coupe Chevrolet’s consolation-style bracket, the Intrépide downed the Stars 55 de Mauricie-CDQ to join the Étoiles in the final, where Laurentides-Lanaudière scored a 4-3 win to earn a spot at the 2025 Esso Cup.

Elli Allard helped to lead the Étoiles back to the national stage; the 16-year-old was second in LHEQ scoring with 18 goals and 47 points before adding three goals and 12 points in the playoffs.

HOW THEY GOT TO LLOYDMINSTER

Coupe Chevrolet
Preliminary round: defeated Intrépide de l’Outaouais 4-2, defeated Amazones de Laval-Montréal 4-1
Quarterfinal: defeated Stars 55 de Mauricie-CDQ 4-0
Semifinal: defeated Intrépide de l’Outaouais 3-2
Final: defeated Intrépide de l’Outaouais 4-3

REGULAR SEASON

Record (W-L-OTL): 23-5-0 (2nd in LHEQ)
Goals for: 125 (1st in LHEQ)
Goals against: 37 (1st in LHEQ)
Longest winning streak: 8 (Nov. 9-Jan. 11)

Top 3 scorers:
- Elli Allard – 18G 29A 47P (2nd in LHEQ)
- Maika Gauthier – 25G 18A 43P (3rd in LHEQ)
- Abigaël Blais – 12G 17A 29P (6th in LHEQ)

PLAYOFFS

Record: 5-0
Goals for: 19
Goals against: 8

Top 3 scorers:
- Elli Allard – 3G 9A 12P
- Maika Gauthier – 6G 1A 7P
- Abigaël Blais – 2G 3A 5P

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY

2018 – Pionnières de Lanaudière | bronze medal | 2-3 | 11GF 17GA
2023 – Étoiles de Laurentides-Lanaudière | fifth place | 2-3 | 8GF 9GA

After eight years, Prince Edward Island will have a team represented at the Esso Cup and the Eastern Stars are ready to make the most of playing on a national stage.

The Stars come to Lloydminster on a hot streak that has lasted for five months—they have not lost a game since Nov. 10. They won the remaining 18 games in the Maritime Major Female Hockey League (MMFHL) regular season and went undefeated in the playoffs, sweeping their provincial rivals, the Western Wolves, to reach the Atlantic Regional .

Eastern carried its momentum into the regional tournament in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, going unbeaten in four preliminary-round games and setting up a battle against the host Northern Selects for a spot at the Esso Cup. After falling 5-2 in the regional final a year ago, the Stars got their revenge by defeating the Selects 3-1 to claim a spot at Canada’s U18 Women’s National Club Championship.

Emily Gardiner has led the Stars’ offence this season with 26 goals and 51 points in 32 regular-season games. In the playoffs, rookie Avery MacPhee took the spotlight, leading the way with five goals and two helpers. In addition, defender Taylor Hunter represented Team Atlantic earlier this season at the 2024 U18 Women’s National Championship in Quispamsis, New Brunswick.

The Stars are thethird team to represent Prince Edward Island at the Esso Cup, following the Mid-Isle Wildcats (2017) and Kings County Kings (2011). They’re also in search of the first-ever medal for an Atlantic team; just three times in the first 14 editions of the tournament has an East Coast team reached the semifinals, and all three fell short in the bronze medal game.

HOW THEY GOT TO LLOYDMINSTER

Maritime Major Female Hockey League
Prince Edward Island final: defeated Western Wolves 4-0 (2-1, 1-0, 3-2, 2-1)

Atlantic Regional
Preliminary round: 4-0 – 1st place (defeated Halifax Capitals 2-1, defeated Northern Selects 2-1, defeated Moncton Rockets 3-0, defeated Eastern Ice Breakers 6-0)
Final: defeated Northern Selects 3-1

REGULAR SEASON

Record (W-L-T): 27-5-0 (1st in MMFHL)
Goals for: 127 (2nd in MMFHL)
Goals against: 52 (1st in MMFHL)
Longest winning streak: 18 (Nov. 16-Feb. 11)

Top 3 scorers:
- Emily Gardiner – 26G 25A 51P (3rd in MMFHL)
- Ellie Mullins – 19G 17A 36P (9th in MMFHL)
- Emily Lutley – 12G 22A 34P (11th in MMFHL)

PLAYOFFS

Record: 9-0
Goals for: 24
Goals against: 7

Top 3 scorers:
- Avery MacPhee – 5G 2A 7P
- Emily Lutley – 2G 5A 7P
- Cadence Player – 3G 3A 6P

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY

First appearance

UNIVERSITY COMMITMENTS

Emily Gardiner - Dalhousie University
Taylor Hunter - Mount Allison University
Olivia Lowe - Holland College
Kali MacDonald - University of Prince Edward Island

The Lloydminster Steelers have been counting down to the 2025 Esso Cup all season, and now the hosts are ready to use home ice to their advantage.

The Steelers finished in the top half of the Alberta Female Hockey League (AFHL), ending the regular season with a 17-10-1 record.

Strong defence and goaltending have been crucial for the Steelers. Lloydminster allowed only 48 goals, the second-best goals-against mark in the AFHL behind the juggernaut Edmonton Jr. Oilers. In net, the Steelers have a dynamic duo in Grace Deveau and rookie Harlee Houle. Deveau sported a 1.13 goals-against average and a .953 save percentage, while Houle registered a 1.87 goals-against average and .926 save percentage during the regular season.

This will be Lloydminster’s first appearance at Canada’s U18 Women’s National Club Championship, but the hosts are already familiar with one opponent: the Jr. Oilers. Edmonton lost just one AFHL game this season, and it came at the hands of the Steelers—a 2-1 overtime decision on Jan. 26.

Historically, the Esso Cup hosts have never won the tournament, but the Steelers are hoping to change that. Two host teams have previously reached the gold medal game—the Red Deer Chiefs (2015) and Sudbury Lady Wolves (2019).

HOW THEY GOT TO LLOYDMINSTER

Alberta Female Hockey League
Quarterfinal: lost to Calgary Fire Red 2-0 (2-3, 1-2)

REGULAR SEASON

Record (W-L-OTL): 17-10-1 (4th in AFHL)
Goals for: 61 (4th in AFHL)
Goals against: 48 (2nd in AFHL)
Longest winning streak: 5 (Nov. 22-Dec. 20)

Top 3 scorers:
- Raevyn Neahr – 10G 11A 21P (12th in AFHL)
- Skylar Heinrichs – 10G 10A 20P (15th in AFHL)
- Taryn Leighton – 6G 8A 14P (36th in AFHL)

PLAYOFFS

Record: 0-2
Goals for: 3
Goals against: 5

Top 3 scorers:
- Ashlyn Hinton – 2G 0A 2P
- Sydney Klebanosky – 0G 2A 2P
- Raevyn Neahr – 0G 2A 2P

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY

First appearance

UNIVERSITY COMMITMENTS

Grace Deveau – Trinity Western University
Skylar Heinrichs - Mount Royal University
Ashlyn Hinton – Lakeland College
Kennedy McQuade - St. Thomas University
Ryann Rekimowich – Lakeland College
Natalie Tychkowsky – Red Deer Polytechnic