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.