CALGARY, Alta. – Hockey Canada announced today that it has cancelled all summer camps for national teams through Sept. 1 due to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. As the decision was made with the health and safety of all coaches, staff and participants as the top priority, Hockey Canada maintains a commitment and high standard of excellence to learning and coaching. As such, various programming and training sessions will be held virtually this summer.

“It is certainly disappointing to come to this decision for our summer events this year, but it is the right decision as we keep the health and safety of our participants a priority,” said Tom Renney, chief executive officer of Hockey Canada. “There is level of camaraderie and learning that takes place in-person, but we have found a way to mitigate some of the impact and still share best-in-class experiences through virtual learning. The coaches and professionals in their field will continue to guide and lead our athletes so when we are able to return to hockey, they will be physically and mentally prepared and equipped to compete at the highest level.”

The following national team camps and programs will be delivered virtually:

• BFL Canada National Women’s Under-18 Team Summer Camp, presented by Sobeys (April 26 until 2021 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship)
• BFL Canada National Women’s Development Team Summer Camp, presented by Sobeys (May 3 until athletes return to university)
• Program of Excellence coach seminar (May 25-June 5)
• Program of Excellence goaltender development camp (June 9-12)
• Canada’s national under-17 development camp (July 19-25)
• Canada’s National Junior Team Sport Chek Summer Development Camp (July 27-31)

Topics for virtual sessions will include at-home strength and conditioning plans, mental performance plans and check-ins, nutrition, dry-land skills, skating simulations, team-building activities, short-term international competition preparation and meetings with coaching staffs.

The online seminar delivery for both women’s programs will take place up to twice weekly, with critical information being communicated to athletes to allow them to continue to evolve as high-performance athletes in this new environment, and will utilize the strengths and experience of Canada’s National Women’s Program leadership to help connect one-on-one, athlete-to-athlete. The men’s programs will take place during the specified dates.

In the coming weeks, Hockey Canada will also be announcing the rosters and staff named to the national team programs.

HOCKEY CANADA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS & EVENTS

Following the March cancellation of the remainder of the 2019-20 hockey season, which included all national championships, Hockey Canada has worked diligently with the various host organizing committees to plan for the 2020-21 season and beyond.

“During these unprecedented times, Hockey Canada has had to make changes to its season schedule to prioritize the health and safety of all participants at our national events, impacting various host committees and communities across the country,” said Scott Smith, president and chief operating officer of Hockey Canada. “We appreciate the support and dedication by our upcoming host committees to adjust our schedule for the next two hockey seasons, and we look forward to working with these communities to put on world-class events.”

The following changes have been made to Hockey Canada event hosting agreements following the cancellation of all spring events this season:

• Prince Albert, Sask., which was set to host the 2020 Esso Cup, Canada’s U18 Women’s Club Championship, will retain its hosting rights for the 2021 Esso Cup. Lloydminster, Alta., will host the 2022 Esso Cup.
• Saint-Hyacinthe, Que., and Cape Breton, N.S., were awarded the TELUS Cup, Canada’s U18 Club Championship, in 2020 and 2021, respectively, but Hockey Canada has worked with both communities and Members to re-assign future hosting. Cape Breton has been confirmed as the host in 2022, and Saint-Hyacinthe is being considered as the host in 2021 or 2023.
• The 2020 Centennial Cup, presented by Tim Hortons, set to be played in Portage la Prairie, Man., will be hosted in Penticton, B.C., in May 2021. Estevan, Sask., will host Canada’s National Junior A Championship in 2022, with the potential for the event to return to Portage la Prairie in 2023.
• Niagara Falls, Ont., was selected to host the 2020 Hockey Canada Foundation Gala & Golf this June, but instead will host the 2021 edition of the event.

While Hockey Canada continues to work closely with local, provincial, territorial and national health authorities, the current event schedule remains unchanged for the fall and winter. This includes the 2020 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, Oct. 31-Nov. 7 in Charlottetown and Summerside, P.E.I.; 2020 National Women’s Under-18 Championship, Nov. 2-8 in Dawson Creek, B.C.; 2020 Canadian Tire Para Hockey Cup, Dec. 6-12 in Bridgewater, N.S.; 2020 World Junior A Challenge, Dec. 13-20 in Cornwall, Ont.; and 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship, Dec. 26 to Jan 5 in in Edmonton and Red Deer, Alta.

For more information on Hockey Canada, please visit HockeyCanada.ca or follow along via social media on Facebook and Twitter.

CALGARY, Alta. – Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team coaching staff announced Wednesday that Lauren Wildfang (Waterdown, Ont./Toronto, PWHL) has been named captain, while Karly Heffernan (Sherwood Park, Alta./Edge School for Athletes, JWHL), Hannah Miller (Vancouver, B.C./Okanagan Hockey Academy, JWHL) and Eve-Audrey Picard (Longueuil, Que./Quebec North, Midget AAA) have been named alternate captains, for this week’s three-game series against the United States.

The puck drops on the series against the United States’ Women’s National Under-18 Team at 4 p.m. ET on Thursday, Aug. 22, at the Herb Brooks Arena at the Olympic Center in Lake Placid, N.Y. The second game is scheduled for 4 p.m. ET on Friday, Aug. 23, while the third and final game takes place at 10 a.m. ET on Sunday, Aug. 25. All games are available for viewing online at usahockey.fasthockey.com for $7.99 per game.

The 13 forwards, seven defencemen and two goaltenders who will represent Canada in the three-game series against the United States were chosen following Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team selection camp, held Aug. 10-18 at the Canadian International Hockey Academy in Rockland, Ont.

Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team has been assembled by Melody Davidson, general manager of Canada’s national women’s team programs, Hockey Canada’s team of scouts, along with Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team head coach Laura Schuler (Scarborough, Ont./University of Minnesota Duluth, WCHA) and assistant coaches Jackie Friesen (Regina, Sask./University of Wisconsin, WCHA) and Cassandra Turner (Campbellford, Ont./Quinnipiac University, ECAC). 

Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team features:

• four players who won the gold medal with Ontario Blue at the 2012 National Women’s Under-18 Championship in Dawson Creek, B.C. (Bach, Leslie, MacMillan and Noronha);
• two players who participated in the 2013 IIHF Women’s High Performance Camp in Sheffield, England, earlier this month (Hart and Potomak);
• two players who won the gold medal with Canada’s National Women’s Under-18-Team at the 2013 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 Women’s World Championship in Heinola, Finland (Heffernan and Miller);
• one player who won the gold medal with LHFDQ Nord at the 2013 Esso Cup, Canada’s National Female Midget Championship, in Burnaby, B.C. (Picard)

Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team by province:

• Ontario – nine (Bach, Leslie, MacMillan, Noronha, Pinkney, Sauvé, Tiley, Wildfang and Wilson-Bennett)
• British Columbia – five (Bellerive, Hart, Miller, Potomak and Spring)
• Quebec – four (Labelle, Lalancette, Picard and Stacey)
• Alberta – three (Fieseler, Healey and Heffernan)
• Manitoba – one (Krzyszczyk)

Following the series, Hockey Canada scouts, along with the team’s coaching staff, will continue to evaluate players with their provincial and club teams during the 2013-14 season, in preparation for selecting the Canadian team that will compete at the 2014 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 Women’s World Championship next April.

NOTE TO MEDIA: Please contact Kristen Lipscombe, Hockey Canada’s communications coordinator, for any interview requests at (403) 826-4819 or [email protected].

Canada’s National Women’s Program Red-White Series also kicks off this week in Calgary, with the 27 players currently centralized with Canada’s National Women’s Team and 13 players chosen from Canada’s National Women’s Development Team selection camp forming two teams for a three-game series. Games are scheduled for 7 p.m. MT on Wednesday, Aug. 21, 7 p.m. MT on Thursday, Aug. 22 and 10 a.m. MT on Saturday, Aug. 24 at the Markin MacPhail Centre, Hockey Canada’s home arena at Canada Olympic Park.

Please contact Kristen Lipscombe or Francis Dupont, Hockey Canada’s media relations manager, for interview requests on site or by phone at (587) 999-5681 or [email protected].                                

For more information on Canada’s National Women’s Program and Hockey Canada, please visit www.hockeycanada.ca/nwt, or follow along through social media at www.facebook.com/hockeycanada, and www.twitter.com/hc_women.

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

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

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

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.”

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

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

The Esso Cup is just around the corner.

This year, the host Thompson-Okanagan Lakers will welcome representatives from five regions (Atlantic, Pacific, Ontario, Quebec, West) to compete for Canada’s Women’s U18 National Club Championship, April 21-27 at Kal Tire Place in Vernon, B.C.

The event serves as a platform for showcasing some of the top U18 talent and provides them with an opportunity to compete on the national stage.

Here are six things you need to know about the Esso Cup.

The Esso Cup has been around for 15 years

The tournament is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year, but there hasn’t been a champion every year; the 2020 and 2021 tournaments were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The inaugural Esso Cup took place in Calgary in April 2009, with the Westman Wildcats from Manitoba claiming the first national title. Prior to the establishment of the Esso Cup, there was the Esso Women’s Nationals, which served as the Canadian senior women's championship from 1982 until 2008.

British Columbia will play host for the second time

You have to go all the way back to 2013 to find the last time the Esso Cup was held on the West Coast. That year, the tournament took place in Burnaby with the Fraser Valley Phantom serving as host team and LHFDQ Nord winning the national championship. Alberta has hosted the Esso Cup four times, the most of any province in Canada. It has been held in Saskatchewan three times and Ontario twice, while Manitoba, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island have each hosted once.

Only one team has won multiple Esso Cups

The St. Albert Slash of the Alberta Female Hockey League (AFHL) have won the Esso Cup a record three times (2017, 2018, 2019). In fact, it is the only team to win multiple and consecutive Esso Cups. The Slash also became the first team from Alberta to capture the Esso Cup in 2017 when Tyra Meropoulis scored 14:41 into overtime to defeat the Harfangs de Triolet. The Stoney Creek Sabres are trying to join the Slash as back-to-back champions; national champs in Prince Albert last spring, they went 14-3-5 in the OWHA U18 AA league this year.56 Esso Cup alumnae have gone on to wear the Maple Leaf

The Esso Cup has produced 56 players who have gone on to be part of Canada’s National Women’s Program, including two who have played for the National Women’s Team (Brigette Lacquette and Sophie Shirley). Most recently, two Esso Cup alumna (Jessie Pellerin and Stryker Zablocki) helped Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team win bronze at the 2024 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship.

The Esso Cup benefits girls’ hockey and the host communities

The 2024 Esso Cup host committee has prioritized the net profits from the event to be used to enhance the local women’s hockey community. As a result, 50 per cent of the proceeds will help create a Thompson-Okanagan Lakers post-secondary scholarship fund. The remaining 50 per cent will be used to create a grassroots development fund to support girls’ hockey in the Okanagan, which will help remove barriers to entry for aspiring young athletes such as equipment costs and registration fees.

Ticket packages are already on sale

Full-event packages are on sale for the 2024 Esso Cup! Watch all 19 games for $60, plus fees. With a full-event package, you save more on the price per game and guarantee your tickets to the gold medal game. And, you can share games with family and friends! To purchase tickets, click here.