Experiencing the dream
After getting a behind-the-scenes glimpse at being Team Canada during the 2010 4 Nations Cup, Maggie Connors is wearing the jersey herself
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January 7, 2018
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Ask any of the 23 players on Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team what it means to represent her country, and you’ll likely get some variation of a single answer: it’s a dream come true.
For one of those players, forward Maggie Connors, a day getting a glimpse of that dream seven years ago roused her into turning that into her reality.
When Canada’s National Women’s Team travelled to St. John’s, N.L., to compete in the 2010 4 Nations Cup, it offered one local minor hockey player the chance to ‘Experience a Dream’: spend a day with the team, on and off the ice.
Connors’ mom, Susan, entered her 10-year-old daughter into a draw. Maggie was picked to hang out with the team before its game, skate during warm-up and go back to the dressing room after the game.
“I was very shy and nervous, especially because I was so young, but I think the reason was because I was so in shock,” says Connors. “I always just saw them on TV. It’s like meeting your idol.”
The first player Connors met was Natalie Spooner, her mentor for the day. The two talked for a while before Spooner introduced Connors around the dressing room. Spooner, herself barely 20, left an indelible impression on the youngster.
“She’s probably my favourite player because of that [day],” says Connors. “Because of that personal connection of spending a few hours with her and communicating with her after watching her.”
Connors visited the coaches’ room and met some of the team staff. She then dressed and hit the ice with the team. For a player who wears No. 22 for her club teams, the experience was surreal.
“I remember standing next to Hayley Wickenheiser in the corner and being in shock, obviously, because one of the best players in the world is standing next to me, and I’m 10 years old standing looking at her, and I’m skating with her in an actual Team Canada jersey,” says Connors. “It was a special moment.” Connors later sat next to the captain in the dressing room during the coaches’ pre-game speeches.
She saw firsthand the commitment and dedication needed to be an elite-level athlete. But it wasn’t the players’ talent and speed that left the biggest impression. What she took away had less to do with their play, but rather the way they conducted themselves.
“It was the professionalism,” she says. “It was how welcoming and nice they were. That’s one thing I learned – being a hockey player on Team Canada is not just about having the skill and the talent and being a good hockey player; it’s also about being a good person.”
Her mindset shifted. Suddenly things didn’t seem so far away.
“Coming from Newfoundland and being so young, I thought of Hockey Canada as the same as the NHL – it’s so far away that for them to come to me...,” says Connors. Being a part of the players’ world, if only for a day, connected to what they were doing. “That pushed me to want to be on the team more. I wanted to do what they do. I want to be on that team and stand on the blue-line listening to our national anthem.”
Seven years after the luck of the draw landed her a day with Canada’s National Women’s Team, Connors earned a place on Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team.
Even before her 4 Nations Cup experience, Connors had been thinking about playing at a higher level. She had already travelled to Toronto to play with summer teams. When she was 12, she enrolled at Shattuck-St. Mary’s prep school in Faribault, Minn.
Since then, she’s played in three high-performance national championships – the 2015 Canada Winter Games with Team Newfoundland & Labrador, and the 2016 and 2017 National Women’s Under-18 Championships with Team Atlantic – and with the national U18 team in a three-game series this summer versus the United States.
She has won three national championships (2014-16) with the Shattuck-St. Mary’s U16 team, and captained the team the previous two seasons, averaging more than a point per game both years. This year is her first with the U19 team.
Success, Connors has learned, comes when people from different places come together, support one another and work toward a common goal. While her club teammates live, eat, practice and play together every day, the same principle applies in a short-term tournament like the 2018 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship, where Connors and her Team Canada teammates came together only 10 days before the event.
“It doesn’t always come down to hockey,” she says, “it comes down to how much chemistry your team has.”
Still only 17, Connors hopes to accomplish even more, starting with bringing home Canada’s first U18 women’s worlds gold since 2014. Next year, she’ll head to Princeton University and aim to add to her list of national championships. And after that – four, maybe eight, years down the line – standing on the blue-line, a member of Canada’s National Women’s Team, listening to her national anthem at the Olympic Winter Games, experiencing another dream.
Canada wins bronze medal at 2024 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship
Stonehouse, Primerano, Kraemer score two goals each to lead Canada past Finland
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January 14, 2024
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ZUG, Switzerland– Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team has won the bronze medal at the IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship, defeating Finland 8-1 on Sunday at Bossard Arena. Caitlin Kraemer (Waterloo, ON/Waterloo, OWHA U22 Elite), Chloe Primerano (North Vancouver, BC/RHA Kelowna, CSSHL) andAbby Stonehouse (Blenheim, ON/Waterloo, OWHA U22 Elite)scored two goals each to lead the offence.
Kraemer became the all-time leading scorer with Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team with 35 points (26-9—35), surpassing Marie-Philip Poulin and Jessica Campbell, while Primerano, who also added an assist, finished with 16 points (8-8—16), setting the single-tournament Canadian scoring record and single-tournament record for points by a defender.
Campbell (15 points in 2010) and Brigette Lacquette (13 points in 2010) previously held the two records broken by Primerano. “This group is amazing, and I’m so proud of how we were able to rebound,” said Kraemer. “Obviously this isn’t the colour we wanted to win, but we won’t take for granted the fact that we medaled in the world championship. A lot of teams would love to be in our shoes today and that isn’t lost on us as a group. I’m proud of us.”
Mackenzie Alexander (Toronto, ON/Etobicoke, OWHA U22 Elite) andMaxine Cimoroni (Toronto, ON/Mississauga, OWHA U22 Elite)rounded out the scoring, while Makayla Watson (Brooks, AB/RHA Kelowna, CSSHL) added a pair of assists.
“The unique opportunity we had after losing in the semifinal was that we had a chance to finish on a high note,” said head coach Tara Watchorn (Newcastle, ON/Boston University, HE) . “We were given another day and another chance to go out and represent our country with pride. We did an amazing job of that today.”
Rosalie Breton (Saint-Bernard, QC/Limoilou, CEGEP), Sienna D’Alessandro (Pointe-Claire, QC/John Abbott College, CEGEP) , Gracie Graham (Kelowna, BC/RHA Kelowna, CSSHL), Morgan Jackson (Courtenay, BC/Shawnigan Lake School, CSSHL), Jessica MacKinnon (Clark’s Harbour, NS/Ridley College, OWHA U22 Elite) , Emma Venusio (Toronto, ON/Etobicoke, OWHA U22 Elite) and Stryker Zablocki (Prince Albert, SK/Regina, SFU18AAAHL)all chipped in with assists.
Rhyah Stewart (Antigonish, NS/Cape Breton West, NSU18MHL)made 11 saves for her third victory of the tournament. “This win says so much about how much character we have in our locker room,” added Stonehouse. “We handled the adversity the best way we could and showed the world what we are capable of today and I’m proud of the girls on this team.”
Following the game, D’Alessandro, Kraemer and Primerano were announced as Canada’s top three players, as selected by the coaching staff. The 2025 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship will be held in Vantaa, Finland, Jan. 5-12, 2025.
For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team, please visit HockeyCanada.ca , or follow along through social media on Facebook , X and Instagram , and by using #U18WomensWorlds.
U18 Women’s Worlds Preview: Canada vs. Finland
Sunday, January 14 | 9 a.m. ET | Zug, Switzerland | Bronze Medal Game
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January 14, 2024
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GAME NOTES: CANADA VS. FINLAND (JAN. 14)
Medals are on the line Sunday as Canada’s National Women's Under-18 Team battles Finland for bronze to close out the 2024 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship.
Last Game
Canada fell 4-2 to Czechia in a tight Saturday semifinal. Chloe Primerano got Canada within a goal in the second period, Stryker Zablocki tied it early in the third and Canada outshot the Czechs 47-12, but the Canadians missed out on the gold medal game for just the second time in tournament history.
The Finns were downed by the United States by the same 4-2 score in their semifinal. Tinja Tapani and Nelly Andersson scored second-period goals to keep it close and Kerttu Kuja-Halkola made 40 saves for the Finns, who are in search of their second bronze medal in the last three years, and fourth overall.
Last Meeting
Canada finished the preliminary round by shutting out Finland 10-0 on Tuesday to earn top spot in Group A. Primerano and Caitlin Kraemer scored seven seconds apart in the first period—tying the tournament record for fastest two goals—to give the Canadians a 2-0 lead. Sienna D’Alessandro, Reese Logan and Primerano added goals in the middle frame before Canada exploded for a five-goal third period. Primerano became the first defender to record a hat trick at U18 Women’s Worlds and Kraemer completed one of her own. Hannah Clark made seven saves for the shutout.
What to Watch
Primerano continues to impress her first world championship. With her power-play goal in the semifinals, the North Vancouver, B.C., product is now tied for the most points by a defender at one U18 Women’s Worlds (a record set by Canadian blue-liner Brigette Lacquette in 2010). The 17-year-old is the tournament’s leading scorer with six goals and seven assists in five games.
Third in tournament scoring, Emma Ekoluoma has been terrific for the Finns. She scored back-to-back hat tricks to start the tournament and has 10 points (7-3—10) in five games. The 17-year-old has been terrific with Kärpät in the Naisten Liiga, the top women’s league in Finland, recording 12 goals and 22 points in 23 games.
A Look Back
This will be the 15th meeting between the Canadians and Finns at U18 Women’s Worlds, and as the Finnish program continues to improve, the games have become much closer in recent years.
In their first-ever meeting at the inaugural world championship in Calgary in 2008, Canada got five points each from Laura Fortino (1-4—5) and Natalie Spooner (0-5—5) and a hat trick from Marie-Philip Poulin in a 17-0 win, still the most goals scored in one game by a Canadian team at the tournament.
But Finland handed Canada a 2-0 loss in the opening game of the 2022 tournament, before Jade Iginla and Madison Chantler helped Canada secure a 2-1 win in the semifinals, and it took an overtime winner from Alex Law to give Canada a 3-2 semifinal win last year.
All-time record: Canada leads 13-1 (1-0 in OT) Canada goals: 84 Finland goals: 8
U18 Women’s Worlds Preview: Canada vs. Czechia
Saturday, January 13 | 9 a.m. ET | Zug, Switzerland | Semifinal
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January 13, 2024
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GAME NOTES: CANADA VS. CZECHIA (JAN. 13)
It’s semifinal Saturday at the 2024 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship, and Canada’s National Women's Under-18 Team will face off against Czechia at Bossard Arena for a spot in the gold medal game.
Last Game
Canada met the home team in the quarterfinals, shutting out Switzerland 6-0 to advance to the semis. Sienna D’Alessandro scored twice to give her seven goals in the tournament. Gracie Graham had a goal and two assists, with Maxine Cimoroni, Morgan Jackson and Caitlin Kraemer rounding out the scoring. Chloe Primerano recorded three helpers and Rhyah Stewart made three saves to record her first international shutout.
Czechia battled Sweden in the first quarterfinals, winning 4-2 to earn a spot in the semifinals. Isabelle Leijonhielm gave Sweden an early lead, but Adela Sapovaliova and Tereza Plosova responded for Czechia for a 2-1 advantage after the first period. Sweden’s Ella Hellman tied the game in the third period before Sapovaliova and Linda Vocetkova sealed the win for the Czechs.
Last Meeting
Looking back less than a week, Canada downed Czechia 8-1 on Sunday for its second win in as many days. The Canadians scored a record three shorthanded goals—two from Abby Stonehouse, who also added three helpers for a five-point performance. Kraemer scored twice to set another goal-scoring record, passing Marie-Philip Poulin for the most by a Canadian at U18 Women’s Worlds. Jackson, Emma Venusio and Mackenzie Alexander rounded out the scoring. Stewart made 23 saves in her tournament debut.
What to Watch
With high-scoring games and only one goal against so far, several Canadians are close to breaking tournament scoring records. Primerano (5-7—12) needs two points to record the most by a defender at a single U18 Women’s Worlds. Caitlin Kraemer (8-0—8) is three goals away from breaking her own single-tournament Canadian mark set last year. And between the pipes, Hannah Clark is tied for the most career shutouts at the tournament (5), with U.S. netminders Sidney Peters and Alex Cavallini.
Adela Sapovalivova and Tereza Plosova continue to be a dynamic duo for Czechia. Sapovaliova has seven goals and one helper, while Plosova has recorded one goal and six assists through four games each. Both players were a part of Czechia’s bronze medal team at the 2023 IIHF Women’s World Championship in Brampton, Ontario, and Sapovalivova has another bronze from the 2022 Women’s Worlds in Calgary, Alberta.
A Look Back
This semifinal will be the eighth meeting between the Canadians and Czechs at U18 Women’s Worlds. Canada has had the edge in all seven all-time matchups, only allowing five goals.
It’s the second time the teams have met in the playoff round; at the 2018 tournament in Dmitrov, Russia, Courtney Correia, Willow Slobodzian and Courtney Kollman scored second-period goals as Canada earned a 3-1 win to advance to the semifinals.
All-time record: Canada leads 7-0 Canada goals: 58 Czechia goals: 5
WU18: Why I play hockey (Pt. 1)
Members of Canada's National Women's Under-18 Team are asked a simple question with so many answers - why do you play hockey?
U18 Women’s Worlds Preview: Canada vs. Switzerland
Thursday, January 11 | 11 a.m. ET | Zug, Switzerland | Quarterfinal
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January 11, 2024
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GAME NOTES: CANADA VS. SWITZERLAND (JAN. 11)
It’s win or go home at the 2024 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship as Canada’s National Women's Under-18 Team faces the home team Switzerland in the quarterfinals at Bossard Arena.
Last Game
Canada finished the preliminary round with a perfect record, shutting out Finland 10-0 on Tuesday to earn top spot in Group A. Chloe Primerano and Caitlin Kraemer scored seven seconds apart in the first period—tying the tournament record for fastest two goals—to give the Canadians a 2-0 lead. Sienna D’Alessandro, Reese Logan and Primerano added goals in the middle frame before Canada exploded for a five-goal third period. Primerano became the first defender to record a hat trick at U18 Women’s Worlds and Kraemer completed one of her own. Hannah Clark made seven saves for the shutout.
Switzerland was last on the ice yesterday, losing to Slovakia 2-1 in overtime to close the prelims. Nela Lopusanova gave Slovakia an early lead, but Sonja Inkamp scored on the power play in the second period to tie the game. Switzerland outshot Slovakia 31-27, but Hana Krakorova found the back of the net 61 seconds into overtime to leave the Swiss winless in the preliminary round.
Last Meeting
It’s been 12 years since Canada last met Switzerland at U18 Women’s Worlds, with the Canadians downing the Swiss 13-1 to open the 2012 tournament in Zlin, Czechia. It was a slower start, with Canada leading 2-1 after 20 minutes, but the offence exploded from there. Ten different players scored, including Catherine Dubois, who finished a hat trick, and Taylor Woods, who scored twice. Emerance Maschmeyer made 25 saves.
What to Watch
The Canadians have had their foot on the gas in the offensive end, and plenty of the contributions have come from the blue line. Primerano became the first defender to record a U18 Women’s Worlds hat trick on Tuesday and led the prelims in scoring with nine points (5-4—9). Emma Venusio is not far behind Primerano, with the captain now sixth in tournament scoring with a goal and six helpers.
Despite the loss to Slovakia, Talina Benderer was fantastic in the Swiss goal. The 17-year-old made 25 saves in the extra-time defeat, joining the 32 saves she made against Sweden. The HC Davos Ladies netminder is back for her second world championship—last year, she had a 3-2 record, a 1.25 goals-against average and a .944 save percentage.
A Look Back
This will be the fourth meeting between the Canadians and the Swiss at U18 Women’s Worlds, and historically Canada has had a wide edge in this matchup.
In their first-ever meeting at the 2009 world championship in Füssen, Germany, Casandra Langan scored four times and Jamie Lee Rattray had a hat trick as Canada opened the tournament with a 16-1 win. Sixteen of Canada’s 18 skaters recorded at least a point, and the Canadians outshot Switzerland 80-7.
All-time record: Canada leads 3-0 Canada goals: 38 Switzerland goals: 3
Breaking barriers in the women’s game
As players like Chloe Primerano and Rhyah Stewart continue to make history early in their careers, it opens the doors for the next generation to set goals to do the same
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January 10, 2024
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Sometimes history can happen in the most unlikely of places—like in the car on the way home from school.
That’s where Chloe Primerano was when she found out that she was selected by the Vancouver Giants in the 13th round of the 2022 Western Hockey League Prospects Draft, becoming the first woman skater to be drafted into the Canadian Hockey League (CHL).
“I heard some rumours, some talking that it might happen, but I didn’t know for sure if I was going to be drafted, so I didn’t want to get my hopes up or anything,” Primerano explains. “I saw on my phone that it happened and got a call from the GM. It was a pretty unreal experience to be the first to get drafted.”
Trailblazers like Hayley Wickenheiser, Manon Rhéaume and Cammi Granato opened the doors by recording historic “firsts” in the men’s game. As the women’s game continues to advance, more and more players are writing their names in the history books.
One year after making history at the draft, Primerano had another “first” when she participated in the annual Creative Artists Agency (CAA) summer prospects camp in Los Angeles, becoming the first woman skater to attend. At the camp, she was on the ice with top prospects like Hlinka Gretzky Cup gold medallists Berkly Catton and Ryder Ritchie.
“I think being on the ice with everyone, it was really good,” she says. “All
of the players were super high-level, so it was good to be able to be pushed
every day. It wasn’t easy, but it definitely helped me out.”
Chloe Primerano plays the puck against Germany.
Primerano is not the only member of Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team to have made history. Goaltender Rhyah Stewart made history when she appeared in a pre-season game for the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League’s Cape Breton Eagles, becoming the first woman to play for the Eagles and the fifth woman to play in the CHL.
After finding out she would get a chance to play from Eagles head coach Louis Robitaille and goalie coach Blade Mann-Dixon, Stewart says she was really excited.
“I knew it was an opportunity not many women get to have, so just to be one of the few, it was definitely an honour,” she says. “I was definitely really excited to get that opportunity to see what I can do in one of those big moments in my career.”
Stewart saw 30 minutes of action against the Moncton Wildcats on Aug. 25 and stopped all 24 shots she faced. The 16-year-old from Antigonish, Nova Scotia, received a standing ovation when she was removed from the game and was named first star.
Reflecting back on the game, Stewart says the fan support she received sticks out.
“The building was fairly packed for a pre-season exhibition game,” she says.
“Just to see the reaction when I was done and all the younger fans there in
attendance to watch me was pretty cool.”
Rhyah Stewart makes a save against Czechia.
Both Primerano and Stewart were a part of history at the Canada Winter Games last year, too. With British Columbia and Nova Scotia reaching the gold medal game, Primerano helped lead B.C. to its first gold medal and Stewart made history as Nova Scotia earned its first-ever medal in women’s hockey.
“It was awesome that we got the chance to win. I don’t know if we all expected it, but we came out on top,” Primerano says. “You get to see so many different people and meet a lot of new people from different provinces. We got to go watch a couple different sports. It’s pretty special.”
“It was an incredible experience,” Stewart adds. “One thing that stands out to me was our semifinal [against Ontario] when we went in as heavy underdogs. For us to be able to go off that victory was pretty incredible.”
As historic firsts continue to happen in women’s hockey, it helps to inspire the “see it, be it” mentality within the next generation.
“I think it’s impacted the growth [of the women’s game] immensely,” Stewart says. “For someone to go in and be able to break down the barrier showcases that another woman is also capable to do that. I think when younger generations get to see that, they get to strive for higher goals.”
With continued advancements in the women’s game, like the inaugural Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) season, it opens the door for more young hockey players to dream of playing the game professionally, including players like Primerano and Stewart who have already made history in their careers.
“I’d love to play in that league,” Primerano says of the PWHL. “It’s great to have something where you can play all year round and play against high-level competition.”
“I’ve always wanted to play professionally, but there was uncertainty that came with that. You didn’t know what kind of league you’d be getting into,” Stewart explains. “Now with the new PWHL, it’s opened the doors and made me really want to strive for that goal.”
WU18: CAN 5-USA 4 OT Post-Game (Game 3)
Alexie Guay’s second goal was the overtime winner, and Canada topped the United States 5-4 in OT for the series win.
U18 Women’s Worlds Preview: Canada vs. Finland
Tuesday, January 9 | 2 p.m. ET | Zug, Switzerland | Preliminary Round
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January 9, 2024
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GAME NOTES: CANADA VS. FINLAND (JAN. 9)
The preliminary round at the IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship comes to a close Tuesday as Canada’s National Women's Under-18 Team battles Finland for top spot in Group A at Bossard Arena.
Last Game
Canada downed Czechia 8-1 on Sunday for its second win in as many days. The Canadians scored three shorthanded goals—two from Abby Stonehouse, who also added three helpers for a five-point performance. Caitlin Kraemer scored twice to set another goal-scoring record, passing Marie-Philip Poulin for the most by a Canadian at U18 Women’s Worlds. Emma Venusio, Morgan Jackson and Mackenzie Alexander rounded out the scoring. Rhyah Stewart made 23 saves in her tournament debut.
Finland is also undefeated in Group A after shutting out Germany 6-0 on Sunday. Emma Ekolumoa scored her second hat trick in as many games and added an assist, Abigail Byskata had two goals and a helper, and captain Tuuli Talinen recorded three assists. Kerttu Kuja-Halkola made six saves for Finland.
Last Meeting
Canada last met Finland in the semifinals last year, with the Canadians edging the Finns 3-2 in overtime. Abby Stonehouse opened the scoring midway through the first period, but Sanni Vanhanen responded to help Finland tie it after 40 minutes. Paulina Salonen gave the Finns an early lead in the third period with a power-play goal eight seconds into the frame before Alex Law tied it with 7:22 left to push the game to extra time. Ava Murphy scored the game-winner and Hannah Clark made 24 saves to send Canada to the gold medal game.
What to Watch
There are nine returning players for Canada and their experience is showing. After her five-point performance on Sunday, Abby Stonehouse is tied for the tournament scoring lead with seven points (2-5—7). Captain Emma Venusio is also steadily contributing to the Canadian offence, with five points (1-4—5) through two games. And let’s not forget Kraemer, who has four goals in two games, is up to 14 in her U18 Women’s Worlds career and seems to set a new record every time she touches the puck.
Ekoluoma has been terrific for the Finns, scoring back-to-back hat tricks to start the tournament and sitting alongside Stonehouse with a tournament-leading seven points in two games. The 17-year-old has been terrific with Kärpät in the Naisten Liiga, the top women’s league in Finland, recording 12 goals and 22 points in 23 games.
A Look Back
This will be the 14th meeting between the Canadians and Finns at U18 Women’s Worlds, and as the Finnish program continues to improve, the games have become much closer in recent years.
In their first-ever meeting at the inaugural world championship in Calgary in 2008, Canada got five points each from Laura Fortino (1-4—5) and Natalie Spooner (0-5—5) and a hat trick from Marie-Philip Poulin in a 17-0 win, still the most goals scored in one game by a Canadian team at the tournament.
But Finland handed Canada a 2-0 loss in the opening game of the 2022 tournament, before Jade Iginla and Madison Chantler helped Canada secure a 2-1 win in the semifinals, and it took an overtime winner from Alex Law to give Canada a 3-2 semifinal win last year.
All-time record: Canada leads 12-1 (1-0 in OT) Canada goals: 74 Finland goals: 8
U18 Women’s Worlds Preview: Canada vs. Czechia
Sunday, January 7 | 2 p.m. ET | Zug, Switzerland | Preliminary Round
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January 7, 2024
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GAME NOTES: CANADA VS. CZECHIA (JAN. 7)
Canada’s National Women's Under-18 Team is back on the ice, looking to build on a tournament-opener win against Germany when its faces Czechia at Bossard Arena as the IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship continues.
Last Game
What a start to the tournament for Canada, shutting out Germany 11-0 in its prelim opener. Fifteen players found the score sheet, including a five-point performance by Chloe Primerano and a hat trick by Sienna D’Alessandro. Morgan Jackson and Caitlin Kraemer scored twice, with Claire Murdoch and Charlotte Pieckenhagen rounding out the scoring. Hannah Clark made four saves for the shutout.
Czechia fell 3-2 to Finland in the tournament opener Saturday. The Czechs took an early 2-0 lead thanks to two goals by Adela Sapovaliova, but an Emma Ekoluoma hat trick gave the Finns a come-from-behind win. Aneta Senkova made 17 saves for Czechia.
Last Meeting
Let’s go back to the quarterfinals in 2018 for the last game between these two teams, with Canada recording a 3-1 win in Dmitrov, Russia. Courtney Correia, Willow Slobodzian and Courtnery Kollman scored over a span of nine minutes in the second period. Adela Skrdlova got one back for the Czechs early in the third, but Madelyn McArthur made 15 saves to lead Canada to the semifinals.
What to Watch
How about Sienna D’Alessandro? The Pointe-Claire, Quebec, native only needed 21 minutes to record her hat trick against Germany. On the blue line, Chloe Primerano had a breakout performance in her first U18 Women’s Worlds game; the North Vancouver, B.C., product had five points (2-3—5) against the Germans—that tied the Canadian record for most points by a defender in a single game, set by Laura Fortino in 2008.
Although Czechia has not won a medal at this tournament since 2014, there are two world championship medal holders on its roster. Adela Sapovalivova and Tereza Plosova were a part of Czechia’s bronze medal team at the 2023 IIHF Women’s World Championship in Brampton, Ontario, and Sapovalivova has another bronze medal from the 2022 Women’s Worlds in Calgary, Alberta. Both players finished in the top-10 in scoring at last year’s U18 Women’s Worlds, recording six points apiece in five games.
A Look Back
Sunday marks the seventh meeting between the Canadians and Czechs at U18 Women’s Worlds and the first matchup in six years. Canada has had the edge in all six all-time matchups, only allowing four goals.
All-time record: Canada leads 6-0 Canada goals: 50 Czechia goals: 4
WU18: CAN 4-USA 3 Post-Game (Game 2)
Julia Gosling had two goals and Danielle Serdachny added two assists to lead Canada to a 4-3 victory over the U.S.
U18 Women’s Worlds Preview: Canada vs. Germany
Saturday, January 6 | 2 p.m. ET | Zug, Switzerland | Preliminary Round
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January 6, 2024
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GAME NOTES: CANADA VS. GERMANY (JAN. 6)
The quest for an eighth gold medal at the IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship begins Saturday as Canada’s National Women's Under-18 Team opens the 2024 tournament against Germany at Bossard Arena.
Last Game
Canada was last in action back in August, sweeping the United States with a 5-2 victory to close out a three-game series in Lake Placid, New York. Caitlin Kraemer had a goal and three assists, while Chloe Primerano and Jessica MacKinnon added a goal and two helpers each. Emma Venusio and Jessie Pellerin rounded out the scoring. Marilou Grenier recorded 19 saves for the win.
The Germans faced Denmark in their lone pre-tournament game on Wednesday on home ice in Füssen, scoring a 4-3 shootout victory. Hanna Hoppe scored twice and Amelie Rosenstock added a goal as the Germans erased a 3-0 deficit in the third period to force extra time before Charleen Poindl netted the shootout winner.
Last Meeting
We have to rewind back to 2013 for the last time Canada faced Germany at U18 Women’s Worlds, with the Canadians earning a 7-0 shutout win in Vierumäki, Finland, to close the preliminary round. Halli Krzyzaniak scored twice to lead the offence, Catherine Daoust had a power-play goal and Sarah Nurse scored shorthanded. Jessica Dodds needed to make just five saves to record her first international shutout.
What to Watch
After her record-breaking tournament last year, Caitlin Kraemer will don the Maple Leaf once again in Switzerland. The 17-year-old is one goal and nine points away from becoming the all-time leader for Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team in both categories. Kraemer made history in the gold medal game a year ago in Östersund, Sweden, recording just the second four-goal game by a Canadian and passing Marie-Philip Poulin for the most goals by a Canadian at a single U18 Women’s Worlds (10).
Germany beat Norway to win Division I, Group A gold in Ritten, Italy, last year, earning its first appearance in the top division since 2013. All 12 eligible players from last year’s roster made the long list for 2024, including Anastasia Gruß, who led the offence with two goals and three points in five games. Leading up to puck drop in Zug, the Germans defeated Czechia 3-2 in November and shut out Switzerland 1-0 in December, proving they are capable of competing with top-level rivals in this tournament.
A Look Back
It has been 11 years since these two teams have faced off at U18 Women’s Worlds. Canada has had the edge in all six all-time matchups, only allowing two goals.
Jessica Campbell set the Canadian single-game scoring record against the Germans at the 2010 tournament, scoring twice and adding four assists in a 15-0 prelim win in Chicago.
All-time record: Canada leads 6-0 Canada goals: 56 Germany goals: 2
National Women’s Under-18 Team roster announced for 2024 IIHF U18 Women's World Championship
23 players set to defend gold in Switzerland beginning Jan. 6
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December 12, 2023
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CALGARY, Alberta – Hockey Canada has announced the 23 players who will wear the Maple Leaf with Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team at the 2024 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship, Jan. 6-14 in Zug, Switzerland. The team was selected by Cherie Piper (Scarborough, ON), senior manager of player development and scouting, as well as head coach Tara Watchorn (Newcastle, ON/Boston University, HE) and assistant coaches Stefanie McKeough (Carlsbad Springs, ON/Boston, PWHL) and Vicky Sunohara (Scarborough, ON/University of Toronto, OUA). Goaltending consultant Gord Woodhall (Winnipeg, MB/New York, PWHL) also provided input.
Included in the roster are nine gold medallists from the 2023 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship – Mackenzie Alexander, Hannah Clark, Gracie Graham, Morgan Jackson, Caitlin Kraemer, Avery Pickering, Charlotte Pieckenhagen, Abby Stonehouse and Emma Venusio.
“I am so honoured and excited to work with this amazing group of young women and staff. We have an impressive team, one built on strong character, speed and skill,” said Watchorn. “From our first session at the summer showcase until now, these girls have improved every day. We will be a team that works hard, plays with attention to detail and has fun along the way. This is an amazing opportunity for us to represent Canada with pride and humility, and I can’t wait to get to work.” Canada is in Group A at the IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship with Czechia, Finland and Germany. Group B is comprised of Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland and the United States. The Canadians open the tournament against Germany on Jan. 6 at 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT. They will also face Czechia on Jan. 7 at 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT before their preliminary-round finale against Finland on Jan. 9 at 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT. “We have a very dynamic team…a strong group of returners and new athletes ready to leave their mark on the program,” said Piper. “It’s a long journey for these girls to get to this point and I’m proud of their growth, development, and commitment to Hockey Canada. I know there is a lot of excitement from being selected to this team, but there is plenty of work to be done to defend gold, and I’m excited to get to Zug and see them compete.”
Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team will look to earn back-to-back-to-back gold medals at the IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship for the first time since 2012-14; it has won seven gold medals (2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2019, 2022, 2023), seven silver (2008, 2009, 2011, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2020) and one bronze (2018). Canadians will be able to follow Team Canada on their quest for gold on Hockey Canada's Official broadcast partner TSN/RDS; check local listings for details.
For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s National Women’s Program, please visit HockeyCanada.ca or follow through social media on Facebook, X and Instagram.
WU18: USA 2-CAN 1 OT Post-Game (Game 1)
Alexie Guay opened the scoring and Raygan Kirk finished with 29 saves, but Canada dropped a 2-1 OT decision to the U.S.
Canada's National Women's Under-18 Team announced for series against United States
U18 and development teams off to Lake Placid, NY for three-game series
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August 13, 2023
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ST. CATHARINES, Ontario – Hockey Canada has announced the roster for Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team for a three-game series against the United States, Aug. 16-19 in Lake Placid, NY. The team was selected by Gina Kingsbury (Rouyn-Noranda, QC), vice-president of hockey operations, and Cherie Piper (Scarborough, ON) senior manager of player development and scouting. Head coach Tara Watchorn (Newcastle, ON/Boston University, HE), assistant coaches Stefanie McKeough (Carlsbad Springs, ON/University of Ottawa, OUA), Vicky Sunohara (Scarborough, ON/University of Toronto, OUA) and Haley Irwin (Thunder Bay, ON/Toronto Metropolitan University, OUA), and goaltending consultant Gord Woodhall (Winnipeg, MB/Winnipeg, MFHL) also provided input.
Included in the roster are eight gold medallists from the 2023 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship – Mackenzie Alexander, Hannah Clark, Gracie Graham, Morgan Jackson, Caitlin Kraemer, Avery Pickering, Abby Stonehouse and Emma Venusio.
“We have a very fast and skilled group,” said Watchorn. “We can play with creativity, we have firepower from the back end and it will be a fun team to watch. You can see the difference in this group every day, and it’s important we continue with that growth mindset. Our goal is to get better everyday.” Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team will play Finland in the final game of the National Women’s Program Summer Showcase, presented by BFL CANADA, at Canada Games Park in St. Catharines tomorrow at noon ET/9 a.m. PT. To watch the livestream, CLICK HERE. Canada’s National Women’s Development Team, which held a five-day training camp in St. Catharines, will also face off against the United States in a three-game series this week in Lake Placid.
The roster includes 12 players who won gold at U18 Women’s Worlds in 2022 or 2023 - Jocelyn Amos, Alexia Aubin, Jordan Baxter, Brooke Disher, Tova Henderson, Jade Iginla, Alex Law, Sarah MacEachern, Ava Murphy, Emmalee Pais, Alyssa Regalado and Sara Swiderski. “We have a very young and competitive group in our development program this year,” said Kingsbury. “A number of these athletes have experience and understand what it takes to win in short-term competition. Facing the Americans is another development opportunity as they continue to grow and transition into a future in our program. We are excited about the week ahead in Lake Placid.” All six games at Herb Brooks Arena will be livestreamed by USA Hockey. For more information, CLICK HERE.
For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s National Women’s Program, please visit HockeyCanada.ca or follow through social media on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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Videos
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2024 WWC: CAN 6 – USA 5 (Gold Medal)
2024 WWC: CAN 4 – CZE 0 (Semifinal)
2024 WWC: CAN 5 – SWE 1 (Quarterfinal)
2024 WWC: USA 1 – CAN 0 OT (Preliminary)
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