ST. CATHARINES, Ontario – Hockey Canada has announced the roster for Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team for a three-game series against the United States, Aug. 16-19 in Lake Placid, NY.

The team was selected by Gina Kingsbury (Rouyn-Noranda, QC), vice-president of hockey operations, and Cherie Piper (Scarborough, ON) senior manager of player development and scouting. Head coach Tara Watchorn (Newcastle, ON/Boston University, HE), assistant coaches Stefanie McKeough (Carlsbad Springs, ON/University of Ottawa, OUA), Vicky Sunohara (Scarborough, ON/University of Toronto, OUA) and Haley Irwin (Thunder Bay, ON/Toronto Metropolitan University, OUA), and goaltending consultant Gord Woodhall (Winnipeg, MB/Winnipeg, MFHL) also provided input.

Included in the roster are eight gold medallists from the 2023 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship – Mackenzie Alexander, Hannah Clark, Gracie Graham, Morgan Jackson, Caitlin Kraemer, Avery Pickering, Abby Stonehouse and Emma Venusio.

“We have a very fast and skilled group,” said Watchorn. “We can play with creativity, we have firepower from the back end and it will be a fun team to watch. You can see the difference in this group every day, and it’s important we continue with that growth mindset. Our goal is to get better everyday.”

Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team will play Finland in the final game of the National Women’s Program Summer Showcase, presented by BFL CANADA, at Canada Games Park in St. Catharines tomorrow at noon ET/9 a.m. PT. To watch the livestream, CLICK HERE.

Canada’s National Women’s Development Team, which held a five-day training camp in St. Catharines, will also face off against the United States in a three-game series this week in Lake Placid.

The roster includes 12 players who won gold at U18 Women’s Worlds in 2022 or 2023 - Jocelyn Amos, Alexia Aubin, Jordan Baxter, Brooke Disher, Tova Henderson, Jade Iginla, Alex Law, Sarah MacEachern, Ava Murphy, Emmalee Pais, Alyssa Regalado and Sara Swiderski.

“We have a very young and competitive group in our development program this year,” said Kingsbury. “A number of these athletes have experience and understand what it takes to win in short-term competition. Facing the Americans is another development opportunity as they continue to grow and transition into a future in our program. We are excited about the week ahead in Lake Placid.”

All six games at Herb Brooks Arena will be livestreamed by USA Hockey. For more information, CLICK HERE.

For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s National Women’s Program, please visit HockeyCanada.ca or follow through social media on Facebook, X and Instagram.

CALGARY, AB. – Hockey Canada has invited 71 players to participate in Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team selection camp, presented by BFL CANADA and Canada’s National Women’s Development Team training camp, presented by BFL CANADA, set to take place this August in St. Catharines, ON.

As part of the under-18 team selection camp, 46 players – six goaltenders, 14 defence and 26 forwards  – will compete for an opportunity to represent Canada in a three-game series against the United States, Aug. 14-20 in Lake Placid, N.Y. Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team invitees will be split into two teams – Red and White - for practices, intrasquad games and off-ice sessions. They will also welcome Finland’s national women’s under-18 team, giving the U18 group an opportunity to experience international competition.

Included in the U18 roster are nine 2023 IIHF Women’s World Championship gold medallists – Mackenzie Alexander, Hannah Clark, Gracie Graham, Morgan Jackson, Caitlin Kraemer, Charlotte Pieckenhagen, Avery Pickering, Abby Stonehouse and Emma Venusio.

Gina Kingsbury (Rouyn-Noranda, QC), vice-president of hockey operations, led the player selection process in consultation with Cherie Piper (Scarborough, ON), senior manager of player development and scouting.

“We are thrilled with this group of 46 talented athletes who will participate in selection camp,” Kingsbury said. “We are confident this group will come ready to compete for a spot to wear the Maple Leaf in international competition as we work towards winning a third-consecutive gold medal at the world championship.”

Twenty-three players – three goaltenders, seven defence and 13 forwards  – will also take to the ice in St. Catharines during the training camp for the development team, Aug. 9-13 ahead of its three-game series against the United States, Aug. 14-20.

The roster includes 12 players who won gold at U18 Women’s Worlds in 2022 or 2023 - Jocelyn Amos, Alexia Aubin, Jordan Baxter, Brooke Disher, Tova Henderson, Jade Iginla, Alex Law, Sarah MacEachern, Ava Murphy, Emmalee Pais, Alyssa Regalado and Sara Swiderski – and five players who were part of the development series against the U.S. last summer – Anne Cherkowski, Hannah Murphy, Sara Swiderski, Maddi Wheeler and Sarah Wozniewicz. Ashley Messier and Sarah Paul, who participated in the development series last summer, were invited but are unable to participate this year.

“We have an exciting group of accomplished athletes joining our development program this year in St. Catharines,” Kingsbury added. “We are looking forward to watching this group return to the ice for a competitive camp in preparation for our series against the United States.”

For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s National Women’s Program, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along via social media on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

CALGARY, Alta. –Hockey Canada has unveiled the coaching staffs for Canada’s National Women’s Team, Canada’s National Women’s Development Team and Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team for the 2023-24 season, with seven alumnae among those behind the bench.

Troy Ryan (Spryfield, NS) returns for his fourth year behind the bench as head coach of Canada’s National Women’s Team, joined by assistant coaches Kori Cheverie (New Glasgow, NS), Caroline Ouellette (Montreal, QC/Concordia University, RSEQ) and Courtney Birchard-Kessel (Mississauga, ON/Boston University, HE), as well as goaltending consultant Brad Kirkwood (Calgary, AB) and video coach Andrew Boucher (Timmins, ON).

“We’re excited about the coaching staff, including a number of alumnae, we have assembled for our women’s programs for the upcoming season,” said Gina Kingsbury (Rouyn-Noranda, QC), vice-president of hockey operations. “We are grateful for the commitment many of our coaches make to return year after year to lead and develop our athletes, and look forward to the leadership and expertise they will bring in leading our teams on the international stage.”

Ryan recently became the first coach to serve on the coaching staff for both Canada’s National Men’s Team and Canada’s National Women’s Team, winning a gold medal as an assistant at the 2023 IIHF World Championship and silver as head coach at the 2023 IIHF Women’s World Championship. Ryan is going into his fifth season as head coach of the National Women’s Team after serving as an assistant coach for nearly four seasons (2016-19). Ryan coached Team Canada to back-to-back gold medals at the IIHF Women’s World Championship (2021, 2022), in addition to a gold medal at the 2022 Olympic Winter Games. He also earned a silver medal at the 2018 Olympics, silver Women’s Worlds in 2017 and bronze in 2019.

Cheverie won a silver medal as an assistant coach with Canada’s National Women’s Team at the 2023 IIHF Women’s World Championship. She also added gold medals as an assistant at Women’s Worlds in 2021 and 2022, and at the 2022 Olympic Winter Games. Cheverie became the first woman to serve on the coaching staff with one of Canada’s national men’s teams at the 2022 IIHF U18 World Championship. Nationally, she won a silver medal as head coach of Team Nova Scotia at the 2023 Canada Winter Games, the province’s first-ever medal in women’s hockey. She was also the first woman hired as a full-time assistant coach in U SPORTS with the Ryerson University men’s hockey team for five seasons (2016-21).

Ouellette was recently announced as an honoured member of the Hockey Hall of Fame’s Class of 2023. In May, she was also inducted into the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) Hall of Fame. She is entering her third season as the associate head coach at Concordia University. Internationally, she won a silver medal as an assistant coach with Canada’s National Women’s Team at the 2023 IIHF Women’s World Championship, along with gold in 2022 and bronze in 2019. As a player, she won four Olympic gold medals and six world championships during an illustrious 17-year international career.

Birchard-Kessel is entering her first year as an assistant coach at Boston University. Prior to joining BU, she spent four seasons as an assistant coach with the Princeton University women’s hockey team (2019-23). She won a gold medal as head coach of Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team at the 2023 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship, and gold as an assistant at U18 Women’s Worlds in 2019, and has been an assistant with Canada’s National Women’s Development Team on two occasions (2017, 2019).

Canada’s National Women’s Team will head to southern Ontario for its Fall Festival training camp from Sept. 10-17, in preparation for the 2023-24 season, which includes the Rivalry Series, with dates and locations to be announced in the future. The season will conclude with the 2024 IIHF Women’s World Championship, tentatively scheduled for April 2024 in Utica, New York.

For a full list of staff for Canada’s National Women’s Team and a list of camp support staff, please click here.

Cheverie returns as head coach of Canada’s National Women’s Development Team, alongside assistant coaches Rachel Flanagan (Pontypool, ON/University of Guelph, OUA) , Noémie Marin (Acton Vale, QC/John Abbott College, CEGEP) and Cassandra Turner (Campbellford, ON/Quinnipiac University, ECAC), as well as goaltending coach Sheldon Goertzen (Saskatoon, SK/University of Saskatchewan, CW) and Boucher as video coach.

Flanagan recently completed her 16th season as head coach of the University of Guelph women’s hockey team. During her tenure, Flanagan has led the Gryphons to a U SPORTS national title in 2019, in addition to three Ontario University Athletics (OUA) titles, and she has been named the OUA Coach of the Year on five occasions. She served as an assistant coach with Canada’s National Women’s Team during the Rivalry Series in December 2022, has served as an assistant with Canada’s National Women’s Development Team three times (2011, 2012, 2022) and was recognized as a BFL Female Coach of the Year in 2020-21.

Marin is entering her ninth season as the women’s hockey head coach at John Abbott College. She was previously the head coach of Kuper Academy (2012-14). Marin led the development team as head coach during the 2016-17 season and was an assistant with Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team at the 2015 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship. On the national stage, she was an assistant with Quebec at the 2015 National Women’s Under-18 Championship and led Quebec to silver as head coach at the 2019 Canada Winter Games.

Turner is entering her ninth season as head coach of Quinnipiac’s women’s hockey team, having led the Bobcats to the quarterfinals of the NCAA tournament in each of the last two seasons. In 2015-16, her first season as head coach, she led the team to 30 wins, an NCAA record for wins by a first-year women’s hockey head coach. Turner captured a silver medal as head coach of Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team at the 2015 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship, and won gold as an assistant in 2014.

Following her role as an assistant coach during the 2022-23 season, Tara Watchorn (Newcastle, ON/Boston University, HE) takes the reins as head coach of Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team. She will be joined by assistant coaches Stefanie McKeough (Carlsbad Springs, ON/University of Ottawa, OUA) and Vicky Sunohara (Scarborough, ON/University of Toronto, OUA) , as well as goaltending coach Gord Woodhall (Winnipeg, MB/Winnipeg, MFHL) and video coach Stef Thomson (Oshawa, ON)

Watchorn was named head coach of Boston University in April, becoming the first alumna of the women’s program to serve as its head coach. She served as the first head coach of Stonehill College’s women’s hockey team (2021-23), earning NEWHA Coach of the Year honours in the program’s inaugural season. Prior to joining Stonehill, Watchorn served as an assistant coach with BU for four seasons (2017-20). A 2014 Olympic gold medallist as a player, she won back-to-back gold medals as an assistant coach with Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team at the IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship in 2022 and 2023.

McKeough recently completed her third season as an assistant coach with the University of Ottawa women’s hockey team. Prior to joining the Gee-Gees, she served as head coach of Göteborg HC of the Svenka Damhockeyligen (SDHL) in Sweden during the 2020 season following two years as an assistant. As a player, McKeough won a silver medal with Canada at the 2009 IIHF World Women’s U18 Championship.

Sunohara is entering her 13th season as head coach of the University of Toronto women’s hockey team, winning both OUA and U SPORTS Coach of the Year honours in three consecutive seasons (2020-23) and leading the Blues to the OUA championship last spring. She won a gold medal as an assistant coach at the 2022 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship. Internationally, Sunohara won two Olympic gold medals in addition to seven world championship golds, and ranks 10th in all-time Team Canada scoring with 119 points (56-63—119) in 164 career games.

Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team will gather in St. Catharines, Ont., for selection camp from Aug. 9-13 in advance of a three-game series against the United States, Aug. 14-20 in Lake Placid, New York. It will chase a third-consecutive gold medal at the 2024 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship in Switzerland, Jan. 6-14.

For a full list of staff for Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team and a list of camp support staff, please click here.

For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s National Women’s Program, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along via social media on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram .

ÖSTERSUND, Sweden – For the second straight year, Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team has won the gold medal at the IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship, shutting out Sweden 10-0 on Sunday in Östersund.

Caitlin Kraemer (Waterloo, Ont./Waterloo, OWHA U22 Elite) scored a hat trick in a span of 6:44 in the first period - the fastest in tournament history - and added a fourth goal in the third to give her a tournament total of 10, passing Marie-Philip Poulin for the most goals by a Canadian in a single tournament.

“This team has been such a big part of my achievements, I could not have done it without them,” said Kraemer, who was named to the media all-star team. “We wanted to leave the world knowing who we are. I am at a loss for words. You dream about this as a little kid, and to win is amazing.”

Alexia Aubin (Lévis, Que./Stanstead College, JWHL) scored twice while Piper Grober (Toronto, Ont./Durham West, OWHA U22 Elite), Mackenzie Alexander (Toronto, Ont./Etobicoke, OWHA U22 Elite), Abby Lunney (Holland Landing, Ont./Central York, OWHA U22 Elite) and Charlotte Pieckenhagen (Mississauga, Ont./Mississauga, OWHA U22 Elite) rounded out the scoring.

Canada scored five goals in the first 12 minutes to take control early, added three more in the second and two in the third. The Canadians, who went back-to-back at the tournament for the first time since they won three in a row from 2012-14, outshot the host Swedes 40-21.

“So fun to watch, so proud of this group. We knew they were going to bring it today, but getting to watch them celebrate the little things, be happy for each other was great,” said assistant coach Tara Watchorn (Newcastle, Ont./Stonehill College, NEWHA). “This group was special, no doubt. To get to see them represent their country with pride, class and so much skill was a lot of fun.”

Hannah Clark (Oshawa, Ont./Etobicoke, OWHA U22 Elite) made 21 saves for her first international shutout and fourth win of the tournament.

“We knew what our end goal was; we knew we had a job to do and were going to work as hard as possible to get it done,” said Clark. “Our team has so much heart. I love every one of these girls and I know we love each other. You dream about [winning gold] since you are little, it is so special.”

Following the gold medal game, Canada’s top three players were announced – Kraemer, Emmalee Pais (London, Ont./London, OWHA U22 Elite) and Ava Murphy (Kitchener, Ont./Oakville, OWHA U22 Elite).

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, Twitter and Instagram.

Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team looks to defend it world title Sunday when it takes on Sweden in the gold medal game at the 2023 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship.

Last Game

Canada booked its place in the final with a come-from-behind 3-2 overtime win over Finland in its Saturday semifinal. Alex Law was the hero for the Canadians, tying the game with 7:22 remaining in the third period before netting the winner 7:32 into the extra period. Abby Stonehouse had the other Canadian goal and Hannah Clark made 24 saves.

Sweden put on a show for 2,122 fans who filled Östersund Arena for its semifinal against the United States, stunning the seven-time world champions 2-1 to move into the gold medal game for the first time since 2018. Mira Jungåker and Astrid Lindeberg provided the offence for the Swedes, scoring power-play goals in the second period, and Felicia Frank finished with 37 saves to keep the U.S. out of the final for the first time ever.

Last Meeting

Canada and Sweden met Monday in preliminary-round play, a 4-2 victory for the Canadians. Caitlin Kraemer scored twice, while Law and Emmalee Pais also added goals. Clark made 43 saves in the win – 16 in the third period – and the Canadians finished 13-for-14 on the penalty kill.

What to Watch

Clark has been a solid presence in the Canadian crease, highlighted by her 43-save effort against the Swedes in the prelims and her 24 stops with the tournament on the line against the Finns. The Oshawa, Ont., native has fashioned a 1.60 goals-against average (third in the tournament) and .939 save percentage (second), allowing just three goals at even strength.

Frank has been terrific in goal for the Swedes, making 37 saves against the U.S. and posting overall numbers similar to Clark (1.50 GAA, .939 SV%), while the defence has contributed seven of the 19 goals scored in the tournament, including both in the semifinals. And let’s not forget about the fans. It should be another loud crowd on Sunday as Sweden chases its first-ever international women’s hockey gold.

A Look Back

Canada and Sweden have met 11 times at the U18 women’s worlds, with Canada owning a perfect record.

A trio of Olympic gold medallists have turned in terrific performances against the Swedes – Mélodie Daoust had four points (3-1—4) to lead the way offensively in a 6-1 semifinal win in 2009, while the defensive duo of Brigette Lacquette (1-3—4) and Erin Ambrose (0-4—4) helped Canada to an 8-0 prelim win in 2010.

This is the second time Canada and Sweden have met in the final of a major international tournament – at the 2006 Olympics, the Swedes upset the U.S. in a semifinal shootout, but Canada earned a 4-1 win for its second of four consecutive Olympic golds.

All-time record: Canada leads 11-0

Canada goals: 59

Sweden goals: 11

ÖSTERSUND, Sweden – Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team advanced to the gold medal game at the 2023 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship after a 3-2 overtime victory over Finland in the semifinals on Saturday.

• Alex Law (Whitby, Ont./Durham West, OWHA U22 Elite) scored the game-winner 7:32 into overtime after tying the game with 7:22 left in the third period.
• Emmalee Pais (London, Ont./London, OWHA U22 Elite) had a pair of assists.
• Abby Stonehouse (Blenheim, Ont./London, OWHA U22 Elite) opened the scoring in the first period.
• Hannah Clark (Oshawa, Ont./Etobicoke, OWHA U22 Elite) made 24 saves.
• Canada outshot Finland 41-26.

Next Game:
Canada vs. Sweden (gold medal game) – Sunday, January 15 (2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT)

TSN and RDS, the official broadcast partners of Hockey Canada, will broadcast the bronze and gold medal games from Östersund Arena; please check local listings for details.

Quotes:
“I think we came out a little flat. The Finns came out flying, had a great forecheck going that really took away our speed. It took us a while to settle in and get our feet under us, but we found a way to win. This is such an amazing experience with your family watching back home, it is so exciting. Heading into the gold medal game, I think it is an incredible experience; it is going to be packed playing against Sweden. It is something our players will remember for the rest of their lives.”
• Head coach Courtney Birchard-Kessel (Mississauga, Ont./Princeton University, ECAC) on the experience in Östersund

“As a team it was not a perfect performance, but through the 60-plus minutes we had perfect effort at least. We gave it our all, worked as a team, moved the puck and it ended up working out in our favour. We have put so much work into this, [playing for gold] is something we have all dreamed about. We need to move the puck quickly, skate hard and have positive energy on the bench and I think we can take home gold.”
• Law on finding a way to win

“We knew they were going to come out strong, so we were prepared. We stuck to our habits and got it done. I am honoured [for the chance to play for a gold medal]; it is something I have been dreaming of since I was little. We are all leaning on each other; everyone has each other’s back. I do not know if I am going to be able to sleep tonight, it is going to be so much fun tomorrow. I am excited.”
• Keira Hurry (London, Ont./London, OWHA U22 Elite) on playing for a gold medal

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 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Coming off a win over the United States to complete a perfect preliminary round, Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team takes on Finland in a Saturday semifinal at the 2023 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship.

Last Game

Canada wrapped up an unblemished prelims with a 3-1 victory over the United States on Wednesday. Caitlin Kraemer continued her torrid goal-scoring pace, scoring a pair of goals for the third game in a row. Emmalee Pais had the game-winner and Charlotte Pieckenhagen added two helpers to help Canada clinch first place, holding the Americans to just 12 shots on goal.

Finland is coming off a come-from-behind 3-2 quarterfinal victory over Czechia on Thursday. Sanni Vanhanen and Pauliina Salonen scored two minutes apart in the final 7:33 to turn a one-goal deficit into a one-goal lead. Salonen scored twice on the power play, ending an 0-for-9 stretch for the Finns, and Kerttu Kuja-Halkola turned aside 28 shots to backstop Finland to its first win of the tournament.

Last Meeting

Canada and Finland are very familiar foes – the semifinal will be the third time the two teams will face off against each other in a span of nine days. After Finland earned a 4-3 pre-tournament win, Canada answered back with an 8-0 victory in the preliminary-round opener last Sunday. Eleven Canadians got onto the scoresheet in that one, led by Kraemer, who scored twice and added an assist, while Alex Law recorded three helpers.

What To Watch

In the absence of captain Jocelyn Amos, Pais has stepped up for Canada, wearing the ‘C’ for the last two games, scoring against Sweden before netting the game-winning goal against the Americans and posting a team-leading (and tournament-leading) +7 mark while averaging 19:09 of ice time per game, second to Kraemer among all Canadian forwards.

Having scored just five goals in four games (just two in the prelims) while allowing 157 shots, the Finns have leaned heavily on their goaltending. Kuja-Halkola has been a workhorse, appearing in all four games and facing a tournament-high 122 shots (Slovakia’s Livia Debnarova is next at 116, but has played 55 more minutes). She made 40 saves in the prelim loss to the Canadians.

A Look Back

Overall, the long-time women’s hockey rivals have met 12 times at the IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship, with Canada’s lone loss a 2-0 preliminary-round defeat last June in Madison, Wisconsin.

Some of the best Canadian single-game performances have come against the Finns – Laura Fortino (1-4—5) and Natalie Spooner (0-5—5) had five points apiece, and Marie-Philip Poulin scored a hat trick as part of a 17-0 win – Canada’s largest victory ever at the U18 women’s worlds – in 2008.

All-time record: Canada leads 11-1

Canada goals: 71

Finland goals: 6

From an early age, Charlotte Pieckenhagen recalls hearing stories of her dad’s time as a rower with the Canadian national team. Those stories inspired Charlotte as she worked towards her own international dreams.

“All of the stories he told us reminds me of how hard I need to work to get to the top level,” says Charlotte, who is wearing the Maple Leaf this week with Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team at the 2023 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship. “He’s a big inspiration for me growing up and I’m so grateful for everything he does for me.”

After making her Team Canada debut last summer in a three-game series against the United States, Charlotte is making sure to take in the whole experience in Östersund.

“It’s my first time oversees, so just being here is an experience in itself, “the 16-year-old (she turns 17 next Tuesday) says. “Its incredible to just be at worlds, and to be here with this team makes it even better.”

Representing Canada isn’t something new for the Pieckenhagens. Curt Pieckenhagen made his national team rowing debut as an 18-year-old at the 1983 Pan American Games in Caracas, Venezuela, as one of the youngest athletes on the team.

He is also a member of the Harvard Varsity Club Hall of Fame, having helped the Crimson to multiple NCAA championships with the heavyweight crew.

As Charlotte grows as an athlete and faces new challenges, Curt is happy to play the role of proud father. He has supported her every step of the way, from lacing up the skates himself when she first started, to now working out with her in the gym.

“I’m exceptionally proud of her,” Curt says. “She’s always shown a prowess for athleticism from a young age and to get to this level, she’s had to get through barriers and show extreme commitment. For me, I see it as I’ve had my time [with Team Canada] and now I want to make sure that it is my children’s turn with this opportunity.”

Watching the U18 women’s worlds from home in Mississauga, Ont., Curt is sending of encouragement across the Atlantic, something Charlotte says has remained consistent throughout her life.

“He encourages me more during each game,” she says. “He reminds me to use my strength, be the fastest skater out there, and things like ‘If you work for it, you’ll get it.’”

Off the ice, Charlotte is also, not surprisingly, excelling in rowing. Last summer, she was part of the Ridley College rowing team that captured the gold medal at the Canadian Secondary School Rowing Association (CSSRA) championships.

Charlotte has enjoyed training for both sports, too. Whether it’s putting in the extra workouts on the ice, training in the family’s backyard gym or taking the boats out to the water at 5 a.m., Charlotte has found that the training for the two sports have improved her game on the ice.

“There’s a big component that translated over to the ice,” Charlotte says. “Rowing is a lot of legs, arms and core, so when I get back on the ice I have a lot of strength and speed built up from rowing.”

For now, Charlotte is focused on representing Canada on the ice at the U18 women’s worlds. Whenever she sees her name on the Team Canada jersey, she remembers all the work that she has put in, and the people who got her to where she is today.

“When I put the jersey on, the memories of buying my first jersey as a kid come back. It’s a special moment,” Charlotte says. “I feel like I’m representing the family and a really good name.”

ÖSTERSUND, Sweden – Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team finished the preliminary round unbeaten at the 2023 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship after a 3-1 victory over the United States on Wednesday.

• Caitlin Kraemer (Waterloo, Ont./Kitchener, OWHA U22 Elite) had two goals, bringing her into a tie for the tournament lead with six.
• Emmalee Pais (London, Ont./London, OWHA U22 Elite) had a goal and an assist.
• Charlotte Pieckenhagen (Mississauga, Ont./Mississauga, OWHA U22 Elite) had a pair of assists.
• Abby Lunney (Holland Landing, Ont./Central York, OWHA U22 Elite) provided a helper.
• Hannah Clark (Oshawa, Ont./Etobicoke, OWHA U22 Elite) made 11 saves.
• Canada outshot the U.S. 38-12.

Next Game:
Canada vs. TBD (semifinal) – Saturday, January 14 (time TBD)

TSN and RDS, the official broadcast partners of Hockey Canada, will broadcast the quarterfinals, semifinals and medal games from Östersund Arena; please check local listings for details.

Quotes:
“It was cool to see everyone bring it tonight. They focused on the habits, what we do well and were able to put together one shift after another; it was fun to watch. We always get excited to play the U.S., [our team] was ready to go from the moment they woke up this morning, hoping to get to another level. Our thing is getting better every day and we are going to find a way to do it culturally on the ice and off the ice. We will take the next two days to do that.”
• Assistant coach Tara Watchorn (Newcastle, Ont./Stonehill College, NEWHA) on finding a new level

“The energy was pretty high on the bench and on the ice. It was a great game; it is always fun to play the U.S. with our rivalry. It is my first time personally in Europe, I like it here, it is fun. The girls are a lot of fun and our energy is high. We need to keep going and keep winning.”
• Alexia Aubin (Lévis, Que./Stanstead College, JWHL) on playing a high-energy game

“Our team played an amazing game; we hustled and were relentless from start to finish. I was able to stay square to the puck and not bite on anything [during the penalty shot]. It is really special [playing against the U.S.]. I love the group that surrounds me, I am super thankful to be able to play for this team and for all of these girls. This experience is awesome.”
• Clark on playing for the team in front of her

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 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Already with a semifinal spot secured, Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team looks to finish a perfect prelims and take top spot in Group A when it wraps up the prelims against the United States on Wednesday at the 2023 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship.

LAST GAME

Canada earned its second victory in as many tries Monday, a 4-2 win over Sweden. Caitlin Kraemer led the way for Canada, scoring her third and fourth goals of the tournament in the third period, while Hannah Clark was terrific in a 43-save performance, including 16 in the final period. The Canadians leaned heavily on their penalty kill; the Swedes finished 1-for-14 on the power play.

The United States stayed perfect with an 8-1 win over Finland on Monday. Maggie Scannell had a hat trick and two assists, while captain Joy Dunne tallied a goal and two helpers for the reigning silver medallists. On the back end, Molly Jordan led all players with more than 26 minutes of ice time and Layla Hemp made her first start of the tournament, making 19 saves.

LAST MEETING

The North American rivals last met in the finale of a three-game series in Calgary last August, a 7-2 win for the Canadians that finished off their first sweep of the U.S. since 2007. Piper Grober and Abby Lunney led the offence with three assists apiece, and Canada got two goals from Keira Hurry and one each from Kraemer and Abby Stonehouse in the third period to turn a one-goal game into a comfortable win. Clark made 27 saves, 14 in the third period.

WHAT TO WATCH

In its first two preliminary-round games, Canada has received contributions up and down the lineup, but none more so than Kraemer, who is showing she can be a threat to score every time she is on the ice. The Waterloo, Ont., native has scored twice in each game so far, opening the tournament with two first-period goals against Finland and netting a pair of third-period markers against Sweden.

Sitting with Kraemer near the top of the tournament scoring race is Scannell, who has posted seven points (four goals, three assists) in two games. The Americans have also scored on six of their 10 power-play opportunities through two games, which will test an overworked Canadian penalty kill that was on the ice for more than 21 minutes against the Swedes.

A LOOK BACK

Including the U18 women’s worlds and summer series that date back to 2007, Canada and the U.S. have faced off 61 times at the U18 level, with the games almost split right down the middle (Canada leads 31-29). Even the goals are almost even (Canada has a 171-169 edge).

At worlds, the rivals have met in all but one of the 14 gold medal games, with the U.S. holding a narrow 8-7 edge there. That includes last June in Madison, Wis., where Alexia Aubin, Ava Murphy and Jocelyn Amos helped Canada open a three-goal lead, and Mari Pietersen made 29 saves in a 3-2 Canadian victory for its sixth world title.

All-time record: Canada leads 32-29 (9-9 in OT/SO)
Canada goals: 171
United States goals: 169