Who will be looked upon in the dying minutes of a tie game? Who will be counted upon to provide leadership on the long road to a national title? Who will make the key pass? Score the big goal? Make the huge save?

Three players from each of the six teams competing in Bridgewater, N.S., have been identified as Players to Watch at the 2018 Esso Cup.

Who made the list?

BRAMPTON

BROOKE CARRIERE
good speed and puck skills … quick hands … elusive in small spaces … offensive catalyst … uses a variety of shots

TAMARA GIAQUINTO
contributes on both sides of the puck … good passer … makes smart decisions in the offensive zone … big shot .. defensively solid

PAIGE WHALEY
strong two-way player … plays in the tough areas … can be a playmaker or a scorer … consistent work ethic … versatile player

LANAUDIÈRE

MEGHANE DUCHESNE-CHALIFOUX
offensive defenceman … high hockey IQ … fast release … quick on her skates … good vision … important in all three zones

ANN-FRÉDÉRIK NAUD
good puck handler … tremendous hockey sense … plays with intensity … agile skater … can go end-to-end … difference maker

SARAH VANIER
mentally and physically strong … handles the puck well … plays with size … very good communicator … excellent teammate

METRO

BROOKE BENNETT
plays with intensity … big-game goaltender … solid technical ability … quick reflexes … always finds a way to make the save

MADISON GRAY
versatility of a Swiss army knife … plays a strong 200-foot game … plays important and tough minutes … calm and patient on the PP

ELLEN LAURENCE
dynamic forward … gifted goal scorer … has a nose for the net … tenacious checker … plays with confidence … great teammate

NORTHERN

K.J. EMERY
sees the ice very well … good anticipation … tremendous hockey sense … soft hands … knows how to finish around the net

KARA MACLEAN
natural goal scorer … lightning-quick release … quick feet … reads the play well … knows how to get into scoring position

LINDSEY SMITH
strong skater … mobile defenceman … good shot from the point … moves the puck well … very tough to beat one-on-one

SASKATOON

KAITLIN JOCKIMS
possesses deceptive speed … can make plays out of nothing … plays with a smile … power forward … deadly when given space

MACKENNA PARKER
power forward … hard, accurate shot … tremendous vision … plays a 200-foot game … always puts team first … all-around leader

GRACE SHIRLEY
plays with passion … difficult to play against … very good one-on-one … fast feet … always a threat to score … plays with grit

ST. ALBERT

CAMRYN DREVER
always has a positive attitude … technically sound goaltender … competes for every puck … always wants to learn and get better

MCKENZIE HEWETT
outstanding 200-foot game … knows how to finish around the net … great shot … tremendous hockey sense … leads by example

TYRA MEROPOULIS
smart with and without the puck … plays with poise … great hands … can score from anywhere … works hard in tight spaces