They’re the ones counted on to win key face-offs, be the backbone of the penalty kill and lead by example. They’re commended for their elite offensive skills, defensive responsibility and poise at both ends of the ice. They are the players to watch at the 2015 National Women’s Under-18 Championship.
ALBERTA
CODIE CROSS
veteran leader … big-game experience … puck-moving defenceman … great offensive instincts, but defensively responsible … sees the ice very well … knows what it takes to win
SARAH LECAVALIER
plays with passion … power forward … tremendous shot … leads by example … not afraid to go into “dirty” areas … plays a 200-foot game … has the respect of her teammates
MALIA SCHNEIDER
an offensive catalyst … has a nose for the net … competes at a high level … good hockey IQ … finds open space in the offensive zone … fantastic hands … doesn’t panic with the puck
ATLANTIC
AVA BOUTILIER
plays with a presence in goal … competes hard … strong desire to win … plays with confidence … technically sound … athletic goaltender … does what it takes to get better
GRACE GRAHAM
very skilled … relentless puck pursuit … opens space for linemates with speed … tremendous work ethic … strong character … passion and desire to win … strong on special teams
BRETTE PETTET
high hockey IQ … great release … knack for finding the back of the net … dangerous on the power play … leader on and off the ice … willing to play any role … team-first mentality
BRITISH COLUMBIA
ALEX GULSTENE
very technical goaltender … plays angles well … battles hard … rarely gives up a bad goal … good work ethic … tremendous with teammates … plays big … good rebound control
OLIVIA KNOWLES
big, strong defenceman … complete game … sees the ice very well … hard shot … very strong passer … rushes the puck well … is defensively responsible … plays in all situations
AMY POTOMAK
elite offensive player … knows how to score … great shot … advanced stick-handling ability … creativity is through the roof … gifted skater … pull-away speed … key on the PP
MANITOBA
JALYN ELMES
physical presence … makes a great first pass … gets shots through from the point … tremendous poise in her own end … plays a calm, collected game … a leader on and off the ice
KAYLA FRIESEN
high-end offensive skill … elite wrist shot … lightning-quick release … very good on special teams … tough to beat in the face-off circle … responsible two-way player … great leader
RYLEIGH HOUSTON
elite offensive skills … sees the ice very well … always a threat to score … uses her teammates well … tremendous compete level … plays a tenacious game … great motivator
ONTARIO BLUE
CYNTHIA CAVANAGH
a tireless leader … relentless work ethic … fearless competitor … very good puck skills … solid skater … plays in all situations … plays with a team-first attitude … knows how to win
CELINE FRAPPIER
offensively gifted … strong on the puck … sees the ice well … smart three-zone positioning … competes every shift … willing to sacrifice to help team … makes smart decisions
BRIANNA GAFFNEY
wears her heart on her sleeve … very good speed and quickness … hard to play against … fierce competitor … goes to the net with and without the puck … knows how to score goals
ONTARIO RED
LINDSAY AGNEW
plays at a high level … good skater … very good puck skills … strong on the puck … always a threat to score … plays a two-way game … reads the ice well … not afraid to battle
JAIME BOURBONNAIS
responsible in all three zones … excellent leader … smooth skater … elite-level hockey sense … makes good decisions with the puck … can elude pressure in high-traffic areas
KRISTIN O’NEILL
leaves it all on the ice … has big-game experience … a born leader … relentless work ethic … plays hard in all three zones … speed to elude opposition off the rush … likes to score
QUEBEC
TAMMY-LEE CORBEIL
fast and fluid skater … makes a great first pass … hard, accurate shot … not afraid to play a physical game … a backbone of the penalty kill … has big-game experience … smart player
MARIE-PIER COULOMBE
quick and athletic goaltender … good pad skills … loves to compete … tremendous teammate … very good at tracking the puck … sees well through traffic … supports defencemen
EDITH D’ASTOUS-MOREAU
uses her size well … very good rebound control … doesn’t panic … good with the glove … doesn’t shy away from physical play in front of her net … good communicator
SASKATCHEWAN
SOPHIE SHIRLEY
highly-skilled … great speed … always an offensive threat … tremendous vision … high hockey IQ … good shot … can score from anywhere … makes room for herself … smooth skater
KAYLA KIRWAN
plays a 200-foot game … never gives up on the play … makes very good first passes … likes to join the rush … thinks the game very well … good leader … relentless on the puck
BROOKE HOBSON
fluid skater … good passer … great stick … hard, accurate shot … can play in any situation … thrives on special teams … not afraid to jump up offensively … defensively responsible