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