Multisport Madison
A two-sport success story, Madison Willan is chasing a second Esso Cup championship ahead of a busy summer on the diamond
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April 27, 2018
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In an era when specialization in sports starts earlier than ever for athletes, Madison Willan challenges the effectiveness of that trend.
She’s the exception to the contemporary belief that the pursuit of excellence in one discipline means a singular focus to it and the earlier that begins the better the success rate for the individual in a sport.
And while she’s not a household name, yet, just remember Bo Jackson wasn’t either until he got to Auburn University or played with the Oakland Raiders and Kansas City Royals simultaneously.
At only 17, Willan is already an accomplished two-sport athlete, excelling in both hockey and baseball at the most elite levels possible for her age in Canada.
As a member of the St. Albert Slash, Willan and her team are in pursuit of their second straight Esso Cup championship this week in Bridgewater, N.S.
Moreover, she’s also a pitcher on Team Alberta that hopes to capture gold at the Baseball Canada Women’s Invitational Championship in Montreal this summer.
From there, Willan has an extended eye on cracking the Women’s National Baseball Team that will compete at the 2018 Women’s Baseball World Cup in Florida at the end of August.
And don’t ask her to choose between the two sports. That query would be futile.
“I’ve been playing baseball and hockey all my life,” says the Grade 12 student at St. Francis Xavier High School in Edmonton, who also maintains a 90 per cent average. “I love both sports equally.
“My parents exposed me to a number of sports as a kid, but I never got serious about any of them except baseball, hockey and golf.”
In Willan’s world, there are no seasons; no weather-change distinction that determines when to march out of the house with a hockey stick or a baseball bat in hand.
“I concurrently train,” she says.
As a result, she has found the two sports have become symbiotic in her continual quest to improve and become elite in each, especially baseball, which can be unforgiving in its foundation to celebrate glory at the plate when a batter succeeds three times per 10 at-bats.
“The attention to detail in baseball, the footwork and tracking the ball has really helped with hockey,” says Willan, who also excels provincially on the golf course. “And the mental toughness with baseball has helped, too. If I make a mistake in hockey I don’t let it affect me because of all the times I’ve failed in baseball.”
Perhaps the most difficult task in playing both sports at the top levels is the training regimen and finding the required balance in a crowded day-timer.
In an average week she trains five times for hockey. During two mornings of the same seven-day period before school she participates in baseball workouts and twice per week after school takes her swings in the batting cage.
She admits finding harmony in what is a personal juggling act of school, family and friends is difficult at points, but not impossible.
“It’s not easy,” she admits. “It takes great time management skills to do it. And I pride myself in doing that. I follow a strict time management routine and it’s worked out well for me.
“Sometimes it’s hard to do anything right after school when you’re focused and training at the highest level for two sports, but it’s not too much overall because if I manage my time well, I should have time left over to rest or do what I need to do.”
And based on performance, who can argue with her routine and how it’s worked for both Willan and her various teams.
At the 2017 Esso Cup in Morden, Man., the Slash captured Canada’s National Female Midget Championship with a 1-0 overtime win over the Harfangs du Triolet in the gold medal game.
They became the first-ever team to post a perfect seven-game run through the tournament and the final game was highlighted by Willan, who orchestrated the game’s only goal after blocking a shot in her own zone, racing to the loose puck and turning it into a rush the other way.
After crossing the offensive blue-line she dropped a pass for teammate Tyra Meropoulis, who buried a shot short-side on the Triolet netminder for the golden goal.
“She created the whole opportunity for us,” says Slash head coach Dan Auchenberg. “She’s always in the play when it means something. She finds a way to lift the team. When it’s time to show up, she shows up. She’s a committed individual; a high-end athlete.”
Last year, Willan led the Slash in scoring with 25 goals and 50 points in 28 games. As a result, the first-year forward was voted Alberta Female Hockey League rookie of the year.
She followed that with 13 goals and 26 points in 29 games this season and another five goals in the AFHL playoffs, including arguably the biggest goal of the year for St. Albert – the game-tying goal with 6.9 seconds left in the provincial final, a game the Slash would win in overtime to keep their dreams of back-to-back national championships alive.
“Madison is very gifted and tough as nails,” says Auchenberg. “She thinks the game very well – probably at the highest level. She is also very creative, poised with the puck and makes everybody better when she’s on the ice.”
If a national hockey championship wasn’t enough to celebrate in one calendar year, how about adding a first in Canadian women’s baseball to the mix.
Last August, while representing Canada at an exhibition series in Washington, D.C., against USA Baseball’s Women’s National Team Development Program, Willan helped her country to a two-game sweep of the Americans with a home run on the first day of competition.
The three-run blast was significant for two reasons: it snapped a 2-2 tie in an eventual 5-4 Canadian win, but it also marked the first time a Canadian women’s player had connected for a homer that flew the ballpark fencing.
The memorable dinger came during Willan’s first plate appearance of the series and on the second pitch of the at-bat – a 330-foot blast to left-centre field.
“It was definitely hit hard,” says Willan, who says her favourite baseball player is Houston Astros second baseman, 2017 AL MVP and World Series champion Jose Altuve, who like her is just slightly over five-feet tall.
“After I hit it, I was running hard to first and then I looked up and saw the left fielder at the wall. I just assumed it went out. Then everyone started cheering and I knew it went out. At that point I was at second and I started my trot.”
So with two extraordinary achievements in one year in two different sports, can one trump the other as a more eventful moment?
“That’s hard to answer,” she says. “Both were incredible experiences. I share them equally. I don’t think there’s more value in one over the other.”
Carrying on her family name
Hockey is deeply rooted in the Dach family, and with Callie Dach competing at the Esso Cup, she’s continuing a family tradition of competing at a high level
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April 23, 2024
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Playing hockey on the outdoor rink was a rite of passage for Callie Dach. Now she gets to continue another Dach tradition—hockey at the highest level.
The 17-year-old is looking to help the Edmonton Jr. Oilers to an Esso Cup championship this week in Vernon, B.C.
“Going through this experience has been awesome and sharing it with all these girls is special,” Dach says.
Dach is a 5-foot-9 defender from Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, and is the younger sister to Kirby and Colton Dach, who both wore the Maple Leaf at the IIHF World Junior Championship. Kirby now plays for the Montreal Canadiens, while Colton—a Chicago Blackhawks prospect—spent this season with the AHL’s Rockford IceHogs.
Hockey has always been an important bonding opportunity for the Dach siblings, and the trio has spent hours on the backyard rink and the outdoor rink at the lake.
“Hockey helps me connect with my brothers and be a part of something together. It’s nice always having a shared interest with them,” Dach says. “Seeing them make it is a super proud moment for me and my family, to know they’ve made their dreams come true after all the hours they put into working for it.”
Dach first laced up her skates at a young age, playing organized hockey when she was five years old. Like many younger siblings, she wanted to be just like her older brothers.
“Always going to the rink and watching my brothers, it made me want to follow in their footsteps and be almost as good as them and compete against them in any way I could,” she says.
For parents Dale and Hillary, seeing their children have these experiences is a highlight, but it’s more than that—it's about the bigger picture of how hockey enriches their lives.
“It’s about belonging to a group that is working together for something. The accomplishments, the highs and the lows ... it gives you a lot of ways to learn later in life how to handle adversity and success in life,” Dale says. “Hockey has given them a lot of great avenues for meeting people. I played the game when I was younger and the connections and contacts that I have are lifelong, so it was a big part of my life and a big part of our family.”
The Edmonton Jr. Oilers are back at the Esso Cup after nearly a decade-long absence, having previously won three bronze medals as the Thunder. Dach and her teammates finished second in the Alberta Female Hockey League (AFHL) with a 21-7-2 record with strong goaltending leading the way.
“I think we are very well-balanced, and everyone is there for the right reasons. We’ve done a really good job of buying into what we all believe in, and we have lots of culture and identity within the room—we share a special bond,” Dach says. “Playing hockey with all these girls has given me another family and is an outlet for me.”
Callie’s parents will be making the nine-hour trek to Vernon to cheer on the Jr. Oilers and would love to see the team have success after all the hard work their daughter has put into her craft.
“We are very proud of Callie and very excited to see how she and the team do at the Esso Cup,” Dale says. “You don’t get these opportunities every day—many families don’t get these opportunities—so the biggest thing is just to sit back and enjoy the ride and do the best you can and make sure you have fun with it.”
Playing hockey and being competitive come naturally to the Dach parents—both Dale and Hillary played sports competitively growing up. Dale played hockey and Hillary skied. Having their children grow up around sport wasn’t always about reaching the highest level, but more about effort.
“We’ve always taught our kids that no matter what you’re doing—whether it’s schoolwork, sports or working—you always put in the best effort,” Dale says.
Over the years, Dach has focused on improving her game and feels like she has made strides on both sides of the puck.
“I am very strong defensively. I like to go to work in the corners and get pucks outs,” she said. “On the offensive side, I like my shot.”
Callie is committed to the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology next season and the Dach family will be there to support her in the next transition of her game.
“She’s very driven and we're just very proud of her and excited to watch what all things hold for her,” Dale says.
Road to the 2024 Esso Cup: North York Storm
The Ontario champions may be one of the youngest teams in Vernon, but they are aiming to make the most of their first national appearance
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April 20, 2024
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It is a tremendous feat to qualify for the Esso Cup, especially if you are competing against 51 other teams in the Ontario Women’s Hockey Association (OWHA).
After narrowly missing out on qualifying for the Esso Cup last year—losing in the gold medal game at OWHA Provincials to the eventual Esso Cup champion Stoney Creek Sabres—the North York Storm had another strong season that has led to their first appearance at Canada’s Women’s U18 National Club Championship.
The Storm went 17-2-2 during the regular season to finish fourth in the OWHL Southern standings. After defeating the Central York Panthers, Toronto Aeros, Sudbury Lady Wolves and 2022 Esso Cup champion Durham West Lightning in the playoffs, the Storm edged the Stratford Aces 3-2 in a shootout to become OWHL Southern champions.
The momentum from the league playoffs carried into the provincial tournament, where the Storm allowed only four goals in an undefeated run to punch their ticket to the Esso Cup.
North York will be one of the youngest teams on the ice in Vernon, with an average age of 14.86 years old. However, Ontario teams have had great success in recent years. The last two winners, Stoney Creek and Durham West, hailed from Ontario, and the region has not finished lower than fourth place in tournament history.
HOW THEY GOT TO VERNON
Ontario Women’s Hockey Association
Playdowns: 2-0-2 – 1st place in Region Q (tied Toronto Leaside Wildcats 2-2; defeated Etobicoke Dolphins 3-0; defeated Scarborough Sharks 4-0; tied Toronto Aeros 1-1) Preliminary round: 3-0-0 – 1st place in Group A (defeated Ancaster Avalanche 6-0; defeated Clarington Flames 3-0; defeated London Devilettes 4-0) Quarterfinal: defeated Sudbury Lady Wolves 3-1 Semifinal: defeated Waterloo Ravens 3-1 Final: defeated North Halton Twisters 5-2
REGULAR SEASON
Record (W-L-T): 17-2-2 (4th in OWHL-Southern) Goals for: 77 (2nd in OWHL-Southern) Goals against: 35 (T-16th in OWHL-Southern) Longest winning streak: 9 (Dec. 9-Feb. 4)
Top 3 scorers: - Demi Lazarou – 13G 12A 25P - Anabella Van Berkel – 14G 7A 21P - Lily Paisley – 12G 7A 19P
PLAYOFFS
Record: 8-0-2 Goals for: 34 Goals against: 7
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY
First appearance
Road to the 2024 Esso Cup: Intrépide de l’Outaouais
After missing out on qualifying for the Esso Cup by one overtime goal last year, the Intrépide are back and ready to compete on the national stage for the first time
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April 19, 2024
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The Intrépide de l’Outaouais were an overtime goal away from going to the Esso Cup last year.
After finishing third in the regular season, Outaouais had the best record at the 2023 Coupe Chevrolet, going undefeated until the final, where they suffered a 4-3 overtime loss to the Étoiles de Laurentides-Lanaudière.
But this year, the Intrépide came back stronger and better than ever.
Since it joined the Ligue de hockey d'excellence du Québec (LHEQ) in 2018-19, the team has slowly been climbing up the standings. This season, the Intrépide finished atop the LHEQ for the first time in team history with a 25-2-1 record.
The team carried that success from the regular season into the Coupe Chevrolet provincial championship, allowing just three goals in four games on the road to a rematch against Laurentides-Lanaudière in the final. This time, the Intrépide shut out the Étoiles 2-0 to earn a spot at the 2024 Esso Cup in Vernon—the first for Outaouais.
Laurence Lafleur helped to lead the Intrépide to the national stage; the 16-year-old was the LHEQ scoring leader this season with 42 goals and 59 points before adding four goals and nine points in the playoffs.
HOW THEY GOT TO VERNON
Coupe Chevrolet Preliminary round: defeated As de Québec 2-1, defeated Amazones de Laval-Montréal 10-0 Quarterfinal: defeated Harfangs de Sherbrooke 3-1 Semifinal: defeated As de Québec 3-1 Final: defeated Étoiles de Laurentides-Lanaudière 2-0
REGULAR SEASON
Record (W-L-OTL): 25-2-1 (1st in LHEQ) Goals for: 130 (1st in LHEQ) Goals against: 43 (2nd in LHEQ) Longest winning streak: 11 (Jan. 21-March 31)
Top 3 scorers: - Laurence Lafleur – 42G 17A 59P (1st in LHEQ) - Kélia Gilbert – 15G 18A 33P (5th in LHEQ) - Geneviève Godin – 16G 15A 31P (6th in LHEQ)
PLAYOFFS
Record: 5-0 Goals for: 20 Goals against: 3
Top 3 scorers: - Laurence Lafleur – 4G 5A 9P - Maya de Beaumont– 4G 2A 6P - Kélia Gilbert – 2G 4A 6P
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY
First appearance
UNIVERSITY COMMITMENTS
Gabrielle Brochu – Cégep Heritage Paige Dubeau – Dawson College Kélia Gilbert – Cégep Limoilou Geneviève Godin – Champlain College Laurence Lafleur – Champlain College Élyssa Lalonde – Champlain College Anabelle Legault – Cégep Heritage Anabelle Monfils – Dawson College Jade Poulin – Cégep Heritage Gabrielle Roy – John-Abbott College
ESSO: STA 2-SAS 1 Post-Game (Gold)
Tyra Meropoulis and Madison Willan scored the goals and the Slash became the first team to repeat as Esso Cup champs.
Road to the 2024 Esso Cup: Northern Selects
The Atlantic champions continue to dominate in their region and are ready to return to the national stage for a third consecutive year
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April 18, 2024
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With an impactful offence and an effective defence, the Northern Selects remain a force to be reckoned with.
The Selects are back at the Esso Cup for a third consecutive year, looking to improve on last year’s fourth-place finish. In Prince Albert, the Selects went 2-3 in the preliminary round before being blanked 3-0 by the eventual national champion Stoney Creek Sabres in the semifinals and falling 5-1 to the Regina Rebels in the bronze medal game.
Seven players return to Canada’s Women’s U18 National Club Championship, including 15-year-old Kendall Doiron. The 2023 Esso Cup most sportsmanlike player led the Selects with 64 points (34-30—64) in 32 regular-season games, building on her strong 2022-23 (18-13—34 in 24 games).
Northern may have the most offensively talented roster of its three-year run. Doiron, Hali-Rose MacLean and Brooke Williams finished two-three-four in Maritime Major Female Hockey League (MMFHL), with Aylee Glenn coming eighth . In comparison, the Selects had two players in the top 10 last year and three during the 2021-22 season.
The Selects dropped only two games during the regular season, partially thanks to the fantastic goaltending duo of Jorja Burrows and Madeleine Kerr. This will be the third Esso Cup appearance for Burrows, who had a 17-2 record in the regular season along with a 1.15 goals-against average, .951 save percentage and five shutouts. The 17-year-old also represented Team Atlantic at the Women’s U18 National Championship last November alongside Team Canada netminder Rhyah Stewart. Kerr is a Selects rookie, but still made a large impact in the crease. She had a 12-0 record, 0.92 GAA, .947 save percentage and four shutouts during the regular season.
The Selects are looking to become the first Atlantic representatives to win hardware at the Esso Cup.
HOW THEY GOT TO VERNON
Maritime Major Female Hockey League Nova Scotia semifinal: defeated Cape Breton Lynx 3-0 (12-1, 7-0, 6-0) Nova Scotia final: defeated Dartmouth Penguins 3-1 (2-3, 2-1, 5-0, 4-1)
Atlantic Regional Preliminary round: 3-0-1 – 2nd place (defeated Tri-Pen Ice 6-0, defeated Western Warriors 10-2, lost to Eastern Stars 1-0, defeated Western Flames 4-0) Championship: defeated Eastern Stars 5-2
REGULAR SEASON
Record (W-L-T): 28-2-1 (1st in MMFHL) Goals for: 173 (1st in MMFHL) Goals against: 35 (1st in MMFHL) Longest winning streak: 19 (Sept. 23-Dec. 16)
Top 3 scorers: - Kendall Doiron – 34G 30A 64P (2nd in MMFHL) - Hali-Rose MacLean – 33G 22A 55P (3rd in MMFHL) - Brooke Williams – 21G 24A 45P (4th in MMFHL)
PLAYOFFS
Record: 10-2 Goals for: 64 Goals against: 10
Top 3 scorers: - Kendall Doiron – 14G 7A 21P - Hali-Rose MacLean – 11G 9A 20P - Laci Boyd – 6G 14A 20P
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY
2023 – Northern Selects | 4th place | 2-3 | 13GF 19GA 2022 – Northern Selects | 4th place | 2-3 | 14GF 12GA 2018 – Northern Selects | 5th place | 1-4 | 12GF 19GA
UNIVERSITY COMMITMENTS
Jorja Burrows – St. Francis Xavier University
© Darryl Gershman/Ice Wave Media
Road to the 2024 Esso Cup: Regina Rebels
A combination of youth and experience could lead to further success on the national stage for the West Region champions and reigning Esso Cup bronze medallists
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April 17, 2024
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Bronze medallists a year ago in Prince Albert, the Regina Rebels are returning to the Esso Cup hungry to become champions.
After consistently finishing at or near the top of the Saskatchewan Female U18 AAA Hockey League (SFU18AAAHL) since 2018-19, this will be Regina’s fourth appearance at the Women’s U18 National Club Championship in tournament history. Only dropping three games during the regular season, the Rebels are undefeated since Nov. 24, riding a 26-game win streak into Vernon.
The Rebels are loaded with young talent for the second year in the row. There are eight first-year players on the roster: five forwards, one defender and one goaltender. The 2022-23 edition of the Rebels had nine first-years, and 12 are returning from last year’s Esso Cup.
Regina is an offensively strong team, led by National Women’s Under-18 Team forward Stryker Zablocki. After recording two goals and five assists in her U18 Women’s Worlds debut, the Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, native finished as the SFU18AAAHL scoring leader. Zablocki had 40 goals and 25 assists in the regular season, then added 11 goals and six helpers during the playoffs.
However, the offence is not limited to Zablocki. Berlin Lolacher (15-25—40) and Brooklyn Nimegeers (10-30—40) finished in the top five of league scoring, joined by Avery Gottselig, Addison Greve, Kadence Dansereau and Ashley Breitkreuz in the top 20.
Between the pipes, the Rebels have the best goaltending duo in Saskatchewan. Returning netminder Hannah Tresek topped the SFU18AAAHL with a 17-1 record, 1.43 goals-against average and .940 save percentage, while rookie Adriana Bashnick finished third with a 10-2 record, 1.84 GAA and .915 save percentage.
HOW THEY GOT TO VERNON
Saskatchewan Female U18 AAA Hockey League Semifinal: defeated Battlefords Sharks 2-0 (5-4, 5-4) Final: defeated Notre Dame Hounds 2-0 (7-3, 4-1)
West Regional Championship: defeated Winnipeg Ice 2-0 (4-3 OT, 3-1)
REGULAR SEASON
Record (W-OTW-OTL-L): 26-1-0-3 (1st in SFU18AAAHL) Goals for: 151 (1st in SFU18AAAHL) Goals against: 50 (1st in SFU18AAAHL) Longest winning streak: 20 (Nov. 24-March 4)
Top 3 scorers: - Stryker Zablocki – 40G 25A 65P (1st in SFU18AAAHL) - Berlin Lolacher – 15G 25A 40P (4th in SFU18AAAHL) - Brooklyn Nimegeers – 10G 30A 40P (5th in SFU18AAAHL)
PLAYOFFS
Record: 6-0 Goals for: 28 Goals against: 16
Top 3 scorers: - Stryker Zablocki – 11G 6A 17P - Berlin Lolacher – 4G 5A 9P - Brooklyn Nimegeers – 1G 4A 5P
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY
2023 – Regina Rebels | bronze medal | 3-2 | 21GF 16GA 2013 – Regina Rebels | 4th place | 3-2 | 17GF 11GA 2010 – Regina Rebels | 4th place | 3-2 | 12GF 10GA
UNIVERSITY COMMITMENTS
Ashley Breitkreuz – Trinity Western University Avery Gottselig – University of Saskatchewan Emily Karpan – Trinity Western University Berlin Lolacher – Mercyhurst University Brooklyn Nimegeers – Princeton University Stryker Zablocki – Northeastern University
ESSO: LAN 2-BRA 1 Post-Game (Bronze)
Mégane Quirion and Ann Sophie Guay scored early goals and Sarah Vanier made 30 saves, leading the Pionnières to Esso Cup bronze.
Road to the 2024 Esso Cup: Edmonton Jr. Oilers
For the first time in nearly a decade, the Edmonton Jr. Oilers are back at the big dance on the back of lights-out goaltending
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April 16, 2024
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Once a fixture of the Esso Cup, the Edmonton Jr. Oilers are back at Canada’s Women’s U18 National Club Championship after nearly a decade-long absence.
From the inception of the Esso Cup in 2009 until 2015, the Jr. Oilers, known then as the Thunder, made a record seven consecutive appearances. The run included trips to the gold medal game in 2011 and 2014, and bronze-medal finishes in 2010, 2012 and 2013.
Nine years later, they’re back. So, how did they do it? They had a fantastic regular season, finishing second in the Alberta Female Hockey League (AFHL) with a record of 21-7-2 and winning their last eight games. They were also second-best in goal scoring with 104 in 30 games and co-led the AFHL by allowing only 41.
Powering the Jr. Oilers were forward Daniella Martorana (15-18—33) and defender Ella Lloyd (17-14—31), who finished atop the AFHL in points among all blue-liners.
At the back end, Ella Dunham-Fox (7-3, 1.14 GAA, .944 SV%) and Mackenzie Gould-Sharpe (12-3, 1.15 GAA, .943 SV%) were sensational. The duo finished one-two in goals-against average and save percentage, and Gould-Sharpe’s five shutouts put her third among netminders.
The Jr. Oilers cruised through the preliminary round at the Alberta provincial championship with a perfect 3-0 record, and a nail-biting 2-1 win over the Red Deer Chiefs – the only team to finish above Edmonton in the regular season – secured an AFHL title. Edmonton allowed just four goals in four playoff games.
That championship came with a trip to the national tournament when the Thompson-Okanagan Lakers – the Esso Cup hosts – clinched the B.C. Elite Hockey League title, sending the Jr. Oilers to Vernon as Pacific representatives.
HOW THEY GOT TO VERNON
Alberta Female Hockey League Preliminary round: 1st place – defeated Calgary Fire 3-1, defeated St. Albert Slash 2-1, defeated Red Deer Chiefs 3-1) Championship game: defeated Red Deer Chiefs 2-1
REGULAR SEASON
Record (W-L-OTL): 21-7-2 (2nd in AFHL) Goals for: 104 (2nd in AFHL) Goals against: 41 (tied for 1st in AFHL) Longest winning streak: 8 (Feb. 2-25) Top 3 scorers: - Daniella Martorana – 15G 18A 33P (3rd in AFHL) - Ella Lloyd – 17G 14A 31P (4th in AFHL) - Tayla Lamabe – 15G 11A 26P (6th in AFHL)
PLAYOFFS
Record: 4-0 Goals for: 10 Goals against: 4 Top 3 scorers: - Claire Carruthers – 2G 3A 5P - Ciara Lang – 2G 1A 3P - Tayla Lamabe – 2G 0A 2P
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY
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 Claire Carruthers – St. Francis Xavier University Callie Dach – Northern Alberta Institute of Technology Aeryn Flanagan – University of Saskatchewan Mackenzie Gould-Sharpe – Lakeland College Camryn Karaki – Southern Alberta Institute of Technology Ella Lloyd – Northeastern University Layla Matthew – Clarkson University Riley Scorgie – Cornell University Maren Stachniak – SUNY Cortland
Road to the 2024 Esso Cup: Thompson-Okanagan Lakers
Even after winning their way to the Esso Cup, the hosts still feel like they have something to prove
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April 15, 2024
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The Thompson-Okanagan Lakers didn’t just get to the Esso Cup because they’re the hosts. They earned their way to the big dance.
After going 22-8-1-1 in the regular season – good enough for second place in the B.C. Elite Hockey League (BCEHL) – and sweeping the Greater Vancouver Comets in the first round of the playoffs, the Lakers joined an exclusive group of hosts who won their league titles by going on the road and vanquishing the two-time defending champion – and two-time Esso Cup silver medallist – Fraser Valley Rush in the BCEHL final.
That means they didn’t have to play the Pacific Regional series against the Edmonton Jr. Oilers, sending the Alberta champions straight through to the Esso Cup as Pacific representatives and giving the Lakers almost a full month off ahead of Canada’s Women’s U18 National Club Championship.
Thompson-Okanagan was all about scoring by committee during the regular season, putting four players in the top 10 of BCEHL scoring – Alexandra Recsky (10-21—31), Emma Kohl (18-10—28), Lily Roberts (11-12—23) and Holly Magnus (8-13—21), while Denali Forsyth (1.70) Reese Sliskovic (1.87) both fashioned goals-against averages under 2.00 to backstop the Lakers.
Magnus stepped up in the playoffs with a goal and four assists (her only goal was the OT winner in Game 1 of the semifinal series against the Comets), and Roberts scored two of the biggest goals of the season, netting the lone marker in Game 2 of the final as the Lakers staved off elimination and opening the scoring in Game 3 to send Thompson-Okanagan on its way.
The Lakers are staring at a couple of opportunities for history when the Esso Cup begins April 21 – they can become the first host team to claim the national title and the first team from British Columbia.
HOW THEY GOT TO VERNON
British Columbia Elite Hockey League Semifinal: defeated Greater Vancouver Comets 2-0 (3-2 OT, 4-1) Final: defeated Fraser Valley Rush 2-1 (2-3, 1-0, 2-1)
REGULAR SEASON
Record (W-L-T-OTL): 22-8-1-1 (2nd in BCEHL) Goals for: 91 (2nd in BCEHL) Goals against: 59 (2nd in BCEHL) Longest winning streak: 7 (Nov. 18-Jan. 5) Top 3 scorers: - Alexandra Recsky – 10G 21A 31P (4th in BCEHL) - Emma Kohl – 18G 10A 28P (5th in BCEHL) - Lily Roberts – 11G 12A 23P (9th in BCEHL)
PLAYOFFS Record: 4-1 Goals for: 12 Goals against: 7 Top 3 scorers: - Holly Magnus – 1G 4A 5P - Kilah Hodder – 0G 5A 5P - Emma Kohl – 3G 1A 4P
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY
First appearance UNIVERSITY COMMITMENTS Holly Magnus – University of Alberta Lily Roberts – Southern Alberta Institute of Technology Hannah Robertson – Dalhousie University Reese Sliskovic – Trinity Western University
ESSO: STA 2-BRA 1 SO Post-Game (Semifinal)
Tyra Meropoulis and Jayme Doyle scored in the shootout, and the Slash survived to earn a chance to defend their Esso Cup title.
'You’re always fighting for them’
For more than two decades, Braden Robertson has volunteered his time and given financial support to ensure the growth of girls' hockey in Vernon
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April 15, 2024
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For more than two decades, Braden Robertson has been a stalwart figure in the Vernon, B.C., hockey community.
Whether it’s been coaching minor hockey, helping his daughter’s hockey team or in his current role as co-chair of the Esso Cup host committee, Robertson has dedicated countless hours giving back to the game he loves.
“I started off playing minor hockey like every other Canadian kid and just evolved from there,” Robertson says about his passion for volunteering.
After his playing days were over, Robertson got involved with coaching teams in the Vernon area in 2001. He took a few years off when his daughters Myah and Hannah were born but got back behind the bench when Hannah began playing hockey.
“Once my daughter started playing hockey, I got back into coaching. Head coach, assistant coach, I did all of that for quite a while,” Robertson says.
However, as Hannah, who will participate in the 2024 Esso Cup with the Thompson-Okanagan Lakers, grew older and began playing at a higher level, Robertson took a step back from coaching. He instead found other ways to stay involved, working to help secure sponsorships for the Lakers over the past couple of seasons.
“When your kids get older and they play at a higher level, they have higher coaching, more than my experience,” Robertson says. “You’ve always been a part of the game, and now you’re like ‘Where can I fit in, how can I help out?’ and that’s my part, helping out wherever is needed.”
And that’s exactly what he’s done. This past summer, Roberston built a dressing room for the Lakers inside Kal Tire Place. A business owner and contractor by trade, Robertson covered the majority of the construction costs — close to $7,000 — and secured sponsorship funding to cover whatever was outstanding.
“I wish we could have done this sooner,” he says. “It leaves a bit of a legacy on my behalf of the sport that I love playing and watching and it was nice to give back. It's nice that they have a home instead of having to use a broom closet or something. They now have something that they take pride in and that’s awesome. You’re always fighting for them.”
Robertson has also led numerous sponsorship initiatives over the years, raising thousands of dollars for the Lakers. Robertson says he’s proud of how the people of Vernon have come together over the years to ensure the girls have a chance.
“It obviously pays some of the bills that it helps families out the parents out, lowers the cost, brings the community in with the team,” he says. “I can’t say enough about the community I live in. Their mindset with kids and sports here is huge. It’s a very giving community. We’ve surrounded ourselves with very good people. We love giving back and I do too.” Kevin Bathurst, who shares Esso Cup co-chair duties, says without Robertson, the Lakers dressing room never gets built.
“This team finally has a home and it’s been a long time coming,” says Bathurst, who is also the executive director of hockey operations with the Greater Vernon Minor Hockey Association. “I think it is a legacy that Braden can hang his hat on. That dressing room is going to be a mainstay in the community for a very long time. The girls can walk down the hallway where the dressing rooms are at Kal Tire Place and see a Lakers logo, not just a Vernon Vipers logo. It’s through some of Braden’s hard work that they’ve got the recognition and the facilities that these girls deserve.”
Today, Robertson serves alongside Bathurst as they work to ensure Vernon and Kal Tire Place are ready to host Canada’s Women’s U18 National Club Championship. He’s excited for the girls who will be participating in the tournament and the impact the event will have on the broader community — profits will be going towards the creation of a post-secondary scholarship fund and a grassroots development fund that will support girls’ hockey in the region.
“I'm looking forward to all the kids coming. Hopefully we put a good product out there and they enjoy it because this is one of the biggest tournaments these girls are ever going to play in,” Robertson says. “We are giving back to the community through scholarships, and we have a grassroots program that will help young girls get into hockey that maybe couldn’t afford it. It will help them out with the bills, whether it is hockey equipment or team fees, league fees or whatnot.”
Bathurst says Robertson has been the “flagship volunteer” for girls’ hockey in the Vernon area and that his dedication and commitment to the game is unparalleled.
“You couldn't find a better volunteer and champion of female hockey than Braden,” says Bathurst. “He really is an example for many of us to follow in terms of the growth of the female game.”
At the end of the day, Robertson says giving back to the game he loves so much isn’t just about hockey, it’s about shaping the next generation of adults and having a positive impact early in life.
“It’s about trying to create good human beings, members of society that can move on and work hard,” he says. “It’s about finding out what they are good at. It’s about being a good human being and I think hockey and all sports are that way. Sometimes people lean too much towards the sport itself, but we are raising these young adults that will have to contribute one day.”
Road to the 2024 Esso Cup: West Regional
The Regina Rebels and Winnipeg Ice earned provincial titles once again; who goes to the Esso Cup?
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April 5, 2024
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It’s a rematch on the Prairies as familiar foes go toe-to-toe for the West Region berth at the 2024 Esso Cup in Vernon, B.C. After a decade without an appearance at the Esso Cup, the Regina Rebels have a chance to make their second-straight trip to the Women’s U18 National Club Championship after capturing the Saskatchewan Female U18 AAA Hockey League (SFU18AAAHL) championship. The Rebels closed the regular season with 20 wins in a row and were perfect in the playoffs, sweeping the Battleford Sharks and Notre Dame Hounds. The Winnipeg Ice are looking for their first-ever trip to the Esso Cup after winning the Manitoba Female Hockey League (MFHL) title for a second year in a row. Much like Regina, Winnipeg swept its way to the regional series, knocking off the Central Plains Capitals, Yellowhead Chiefs and Westman Wildcats in three games each.
RECENT CHAMPIONS (ESSO CUP FINISH) 2023 – Regina Rebels (bronze medal) 2022 – Notre Dame Hounds (3rd place) 2019 – Saskatoon Stars (4th place) 2018 – Saskatoon Stars (silver medal) 2017 – Prince Albert Bears (5th place)
REGINA REBELS SFU18AAAHL CHAMPIONS
Regular season record: 27-3-0 (1st in SFU18AAAHL) Goals for: 151 Goals against: 50 Leading scorer: Stryker Zablocki (40G 25A 65P)
Playoff record: 4-0 Goals for: 21 Goals against: 12 Leading scorer: Stryker Zablocki (7G 6A 13P)
ROAD TO THE WEST REGIONAL Semifinal: defeated Battlefords Sharks 2-0 (5-4, 5-4) Final: defeated Notre Dame Hounds 2-0 (7-3, 4-1)
Last national championship appearance: 2023 (bronze medal) Total national championship appearances: 3 (2010, 2013, 2023)
WINNIPEG ICE MFHL CHAMPIONS
Regular season record: 20-4-4 (1st in MFHL) Goals for: 91 Goals against: 48 Leading scorer: Stephanie Jacob (31G 14A 45P)
Playoff record: 9-0 Goals for: 32 Goals against: 12 Leading scorer: Stephanie Jacob (9G 5A 14P)
ROAD TO THE WEST REGIONAL Quarterfinal: defeated Central Plains Capitals 3-0 (6-0, 1-0, 3-0) Semifinal: defeated Yellowhead Chiefs 3-0 (4-3 OT, 4-3, 4-0) Final: defeated Westman Wildcats 3-0 (3-2 2OT, 5-3, 2-1)
Last national championship appearance: none Total national championship appearances: none
ESSO: SAS 5-LAN 1 Post-Game (Semifinal)
Grace Shirley and Mackenna Parker had two goals each in a four-goal second period, helping the Stars move into the Esso Cup fina
Road to the 2024 Esso Cup: Atlantic Regional
The Stars, Selects, Ice, Flames and Warriors have earned their spots in Corner Brook, but only one moves on. Who goes cross-country to the Esso Cup?
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April 4, 2024
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The time has come to crown an Atlantic Region champion on the Road to the 2024 Esso Cup in Vernon, B.C. The Northern Selects are back again, looking to represent the East Coast for the third year in a row.
As was the case in 2023, the Selects are the only team in the field who has previously competed at the Women’s U18 National Club Championship, making semifinal appearances in each of the last two years.
There are plenty of familiar faces in Corner Brook; four of the five teams (Eastern, Northern, Tri-Pen and Western Flames) were on the ice at the 2023 Atlantic tournament in Membertou, Nova Scotia.
RECENT CHAMPIONS (ESSO CUP FINISH) 2023 – Northern Selects (fourth place) 2022 – Northern Selects (fourth place) 2019 – Halifax Fire (fifth place) 2018 – Northern Selects (fifth place) 2017 – Mid-Isle Wildcats (sixth place)
EASTERN STARS PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND CHAMPIONS Regular season record: 25-6-1 (2nd in MMFHL) Goals for: 114 Goals against: 58 Leading scorer: Renee Chapman (21G 20A 41P)
Playoff record: 4-0 Goals for: 18 Goals against: 5 Leading scorer: Emily Gardiner (5G 1A 6P)
ROAD TO THE ATLANTIC REGIONAL P.E.I. final: defeated Western Wind 4-0 (3-1, 4-1, 8-1, 3-2 OT)
Last national championship appearance: none Total national championship appearances: none
NORTHERN SELECTS NOVA SCOTIA CHAMPIONS
Regular season record: 29-2-1 (1st in MMFHL) Goals for: 173 Goals against: 35 Leading scorer: Kendall Doiron (34G 30A 64P)
Playoff record: 6-1 Goals for: 38 Goals against: 5 Leading scorer: Kendall Doiron (10G 4A 14P)
ROAD TO THE ATLANTIC REGIONAL N.S. semifinal: defeated Cape Breton Lynx 3-0 (12-1, 7-0, 6-0) N.S. final: defeated Dartmouth Penguins 3-1 (2-3 OT, 2-1, 5-0, 4-1)
Last national championship appearance: 2023 (4th place) Total national championship appearances: 3 (2018, 2022, 2023)
TRI-PEN ICE NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR CHAMPIONS
Regular season record: 10-5-3 (2nd in HNL) Goals for: 76 Goals against: 48 Leading scorer: Chloe Pitts (17G 15A 32P)
Playoff record: unavailable Goals for: unavailable Goals against: unavailable Leading scorer: unavailable
ROAD TO THE ATLANTIC REGIONAL Preliminary round: defeated Northern Huskies 6-1; defeated Central IcePak 5-0; defeated Western Warriors 12-4; defeated Eastern Ice Breakers 3-2 Final: defeated Eastern Ice Breakers 5-0
Last national championship appearance: none Total national championship appearances: none
WESTERN FLAMES NEW BRUNSWICK CHAMPIONS
Regular season record: 23-9-0 (3rd in MMFHL) Goals for: 115 Goals against: 67 Leading scorer: Isabelle Michaud (41G 23A 64P)
Playoff record: 3-2 Goals for: 9 Goals against: 7 Leading scorer: Maddy Budrow (4G 2A 6P)
ROAD TO THE ATLANTIC REGIONAL N.B. final: defeated EDZA East Rockets 3-2 (3-0, 1-2, 3-1, 0-4, 2-0)
Last national championship appearance: none Total national championship appearances: none
WESTERN WARRIORS HOST
Regular season record: 4-13-1 (3rd in HNL) Goals for: 45 Goals against: 77 Leading scorer: Sophie Urquhart (9G 10A 19P)
Playoff record: unavailable Goals for: unavailable Goals against: unavailable Leading scorer: unavailable
ROAD TO THE ATLANTIC REGIONAL N/A
Last national championship appearance: none Total national championship appearances: none
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April 25, 2024
Jason La Rose - April 25, 2024
Katie Brickman - April 23, 2024
April 22, 2024
December 13, 2023
July 27, 2023
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Nicholas Pescod - December 28, 2023
Nicholas Pescod - December 22, 2023
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2024 Esso Cup: Wednesday, April 24 (Preliminary)
2024 TELUS Cup: Wednesday, April 24 (Preliminary)
2024 Esso Cup: Tuesday, April 23 (Preliminary)
2024 TELUS Cup: Tuesday, April 23 (Preliminary)
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