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

We’re down to two in the Pacific Region.

The Greater Vancouver Comets hope to reach its first Esso Cup after a strong regular season in the British Columbia Elite Hockey League (BCEHL). Goaltender Olivia Tran leads the BCEHL in wins (19), shootouts (nine) and has the second-best goals-against average at 1.18—fellow Comets netminder, Alexandra Johnston, has the season’s best average with a 0.77 GAA. Johnston carried the regular-season momentum into the playoffs with a 4-0 record, 1.37 GAA and a .930 saves percentage.

In the Alberta Female Hockey League, the Edmonton Jr. Oilers were the team to beat, recording one overtime loss against the Lloydminster Steelers on January 26 during the regular season. Keira Grant had an excellent performance in the provincial tournament, scoring seven goals and adding three helpers in six playoff games. Standout goaltending from Taya Christie and Ella Dunham-Fox resulted in only five goals against and two shutouts during the provincial tournament.

RECENT CHAMPIONS (ESSO CUP FINISH)
2024 – Edmonton Jr. Oilers (bronze medal)
2023 – Fraser Valley Rush (silver medal)
2022 – Fraser Valley Rush (silver medal)
2019 – St. Albert Slash (gold medal)
2018 – St. Albert Slash (gold medal)

GREATER VANCOUVER COMETS
BCEHL CHAMPIONS

Regular season record: 28-2-2 (1st in BCEHL)
Goals for: 137
Goals against: 33
Leading scorer: Rowan Brooke Hu (21G 20A 41P)

Playoff record: 4-0
Goals for: 11
Goals against: 6
Leading scorer: Carolyn Koo and Noe Crookham (2G 1A 3P)

ROAD TO THE PACIFIC REGIONAL
Semifinal: defeated Thompson-Okanagan Lakers 2-0 (3-2, 3-1)
Final: defeated Northern Capitals 2-0 (1-0, 4-3)

Last national championship appearance: none
Total national championship appearances: none

EDMONTON JR. OILERS
AFHL CHAMPIONS

Regular season record: 27-1-0 (1st in AFHL)
Goals for: 124
Goals against: 26
Leading scorer: Parker Small (11G 20A 31P)

Playoff record: 6-0
Goals for: 24
Goals against: 5
Leading scorer: Keira Grant (7G 3A 10P)

ROAD TO THE PACIFIC REGIONAL
Quarterfinal: defeated Sherwood Park Reign 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)

Last national championship appearance: 2024 (bronze medal)
Total national championship appearances: 8 (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2024)

It’s been five years since the Saskatoon Stars were last at the Esso Cup. Now, the team has a chance to make its fifth appearance at the U18 Women’s National Club Championship after winning the Saskatchewan Female U18 AAA Hockey League (SFU18AAAHL) championship. After sweeping Weyburn in the quarterfinals, the Stars’ semifinal and championship series came down to decisive Game 3s. Halle Duchene led the Stars in the playoffs with seven goals and eight assists to help Saskatoon advance to the West Regional.

The Eastman Selects are hoping to make its first appearance at the Esso Cup after winning the Manitoba Female Hockey League (MFHL) title in a thrilling championship game. The Selects swept the Interlake Lightning and Yellowhead Chiefs to meet the Winnipeg Avros in the final. It all came down to double-overtime in Game 5 of the final, when Sophia Heidinger scored the game-winning goal unassisted to seal the win for the Selects.

RECENT CHAMPIONS (ESSO CUP FINISH)
2024 – Regina Rebels (gold medal)
2023 – Regina Rebels (bronze medal)
2022 – Notre Dame Hounds (third place)
2019 – Saskatoon Stars (fourth place)
2018 – Saskatoon Stars (silver medal)

SASKATOON STARS
SFU18AAAHL CHAMPIONS

Regular season record: 18-8-4 (2nd in SFU18AAAHL)
Goals for: 110
Goals against: 67
Leading scorer: Halle Duchene (20G 21A 41P)

Playoff record: 6-2
Goals for: 35
Goals against: 12
Leading scorer: Halle Duchene (7G 8A 15P)

ROAD TO THE WEST REGIONAL
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)

Last national championship appearance: 2019 (fourth place)
Total national championship appearances: 4 (2015, 2016, 2018, 2019)

EASTMAN SELECTS
MFHL CHAMPIONS

Regular season record: 27-5-0 (1st in MFHL)
Goals for: 113
Goals against: 33
Leading scorer: Vayda Rigaux (10G 26A 36P)

Playoff record: 9-2
Goals for: 30
Goals against: 10
Leading scorer: Sophia Heidinger (6G 6A 12P)

ROAD TO THE WEST REGIONAL
Quarterfinal: defeated Interlake Lightning 3-0 (3-0, 4-0, 4-0)
Semifinal: defeated Yellowhead Chiefs 3-0 (4-1, 4-3, 4-0)
Final: defeated Winnipeg Avros 3-2 (2-1, 3-0, 0-2, 0-2, 2-1 2OT)

Last national championship appearance: none
Total national championship appearances: none

It’s time to crown an Atlantic Region champion on the road to the Esso Cup. The Northern Selects have represented the East Coast for four of the past five tournaments and enter the Atlantic tournament as the host team this year.

The Eastern Stars led the Maritime Major Female Hockey League this year. Forward Emily Gardiner led the Stars during the regular season, scoring 26 goals and 51 points in 28 games—an average of about 1.82 points per game. In Newfoundland, the Eastern Ice Breakers only allowed three goals in five playoff games, outscoring opponents 29-3.

The Halifax Capitals join the Northern Selects as the only teams with national championship appearances. The Capitals, known then as the Halifax Fire, competed at the Esso Cup in 2019, finishing in fifth place.

All five teams had strong postseason performances, boasting a combined 19-6 playoff record.

RECENT CHAMPIONS (ESSO CUP FINISH)
2024 – Northern Selects (5th place)
2023 – Northern Selects (4th place)
2022 – Northern Selects (4th place)
2019 – Halifax Fire (5th place)
2018 – Northern Selects (5th place)

NORTHERN SELECTS
HOST

Regular season record: 21-10-1 (2nd in MMFHL)
Goals for: 131
Goals against: 65
Leading scorer: Hali Rose MacLean (39G 18A 57P)

Playoff record: 2-3
Goals for: 9
Goals against: 14
Leading scorer: Hali Rose MacLean (4G 1A 5P)

ROAD TO THE ATLANTIC REGIONAL
N.S. semifinal: lost to Halifax Capitals 3-2 (1-0, 3-9, 1-2, 4-1, 0-2)

Last national championship appearance: 2024 (5th place)
Total national championship appearances: 4 (2018, 2022, 2023, 2024)

EASTERN STARS
PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND CHAMPIONS

Regular season record: 27-5-0 (1st in MMFHL)
Goals for: 127
Goals against: 52
Leading scorer: Emily Gardiner (26G 25A 51P)

Playoff record: 4-0
Goals for: 8
Goals against: 4
Leading scorer: Cadence Player (2G 1A 3P)

ROAD TO THE ATLANTIC REGIONAL
P.E.I. final: defeated Western Wolves 4-0 (2-1, 1-0, 3-2, 2-1)

Last national championship appearance: none
Total national championship appearances: none

HALIFAX CAPITALS
NOVA SCOTIA CHAMPIONS

Regular season record: 18-13-1 (5th in MMFHL)
Goals for: 107
Goals against: 82
Leading scorer: Adison White (24G 23A 47P)

Playoff record: 6-3
Goals for: 21
Goals against: 14
Leading scorer: Ella Driscoll (6G 1A 7P)

ROAD TO THE ATLANTIC REGIONAL
N.S. semifinal: defeated Northern Selects 3-2 (0-1, 9-3, 2-1, 1-4, 2-0)
N.S. final: defeated Dartmouth Surge 3-1 (2-1, 1-0, 1-3, 3-1)

Last national championship appearance: 2019 (5th place)
Total national championship appearances: 1 (2019)

EASTERN ICE BREAKERS
NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR CHAMPIONS

Regular season record: 15-1-1 (1st in HNL)
Goals for: 101
Goals against: 10
Leading scorer: Maggie Strong (15G 16A 31P)

Playoff record: 4-0
Goals for: 29
Goals against: 3
Leading scorer: Anastasia Penney (3G 7A 10P)

ROAD TO THE ATLANTIC REGIONAL
N.L. league semifinal: defeated Tri-Pen Ice 2-0 (10-0, 9-0)
N.L. league final: defeated Central IcePak 2-0 (5-2, 5-1)

Last national championship appearance: none
Total national championship appearances: none

MONCTON ROCKETS
NEW BRUNSWICK CHAMPIONS

Regular season record: 14-16-2 (6th in MMFHL)
Goals for: 98
Goals against: 109
Leading scorer: Audrey Poirier (19G 25A 44P)

Playoff record: 3-0
Goals for: 9
Goals against: 5
Leading scorer: Marissa Richard (3G 3A 6P)

ROAD TO THE ATLANTIC REGIONAL
N.B. final: defeated Western Flames 3-0 (3-2, 5-3, 1-0)

Last national championship appearance: 2015
Total national championship appearances: 3 (2010, 2014, 2015)

CALGARY, Alberta – Hockey Canada has unveiled the schedules and ticket package details for the 2025 editions of the Esso Cup, TELUS Cup and Centennial Cup, presented by Tim Hortons.

"We are grateful to the three amazing communities who have dedicated countless hours and put forward an immeasurable effort to play host to these three major events,” said Dean McIntosh, senior vice-president of revenue, fan experience and community impact. “The passion, teamwork and unwavering commitment has brought these events to life, that will create memories that will last a lifetime for the athletes, coaches, officials and fans.”

“We are also grateful to BC Hockey, Hockey Alberta, the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) and the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) for their efforts and support to deliver these events and look forward to continuing to work with them into the spring.”

Anyone interested in volunteering at the Esso Cup, TELUS Cup or Centennial Cup can now sign up here to support the delivery of three of Hockey Canada’s marquee national championships.

TSN and RDS, the official broadcasters of Hockey Canada, will air select tournament games, with a full broadcast and streaming schedule to be announced at a later date.

2025 Esso Cup – Lloydminster, Alberta

The Esso Cup returns to Alberta for the first time since 2022, with the Lloydminster Steelers set to host Canada’s U18 Women’s National Club Championship, April 20-26 at the Centennial Civic Centre.

Joined by five regional champions from across Canada, the Steelers will play their first game on April 20 at 7 p.m. MT against the Atlantic Region winners, following matchups between the Pacific and Quebec champions and Ontario and West titlists earlier in the day.

After each team plays five preliminary-round games, the top four clubs will advance to the semifinals on April 25, with the medal games scheduled for April 26.

Tickets for the 2025 Esso Cup can be purchased here.

2025 TELUS Cup – Fraser Valley, British Columbia

The host Fraser Valley Thunderbirds will welcome five regional champions to the West Coast for the 2025 TELUS Cup, Canada’s U18 Men’s National Club Championship, April 21-27 at the Chilliwack Coliseum.

The Thunderbirds open their schedule against the West Region champions on April 21 at 7 p.m. PT to finish a three-game opening day that also sees the Central winners face the Atlantic champs and Quebec titlists play the Pacific champions.

Semifinals are scheduled for April 26, before the medal games on April 27.

Tickets for the 2025 TELUS Cup can be purchased here.

2025 Centennial Cup, presented by Tim Hortons – Calgary, Alberta

In partnership with the CJHL and AJHL, Canada’s top Junior A teams will compete for the 2025 Centennial Cup, presented by Tim Hortons, May 8-18 at the Max Bell Centre. The host Calgary Canucks will be joined by nine champions from across the CJHL.

Teams will be separated into two groups and each play four preliminary-round games, with the quarterfinals scheduled for May 16, semifinals on May 17 and championship game on May 18.

Group A will include the champions from the AJHL, Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL), Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League (NOJHL), Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) and Superior International Hockey League (SIHL).

The host Canucks and champions from the Central Canada Hockey League (CCHL), Ligue de hockey junior AAA du Québec (LHJAAAQ), Maritime Hockey League (MHL) and Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) comprise Group B.

Tickets for the 2025 Centennial Cup can be purchased here.

For more information on Hockey Canada, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along through social media on Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok.