The national championship, which began in 2001, features eight teams from across the country: Alberta, Atlantic, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario Blue, Ontario Red, Quebec, and Saskatchewan, and will be hosted at Evraz Place. Hockey Canada and the Saskatchewan Hockey Association have launched the schedule, ticket sales, and a call for volunteers.

“The Saskatchewan Hockey Association is proud to serve as the host of the 2016 National Women’s Under-18 Championship,” said Kelly McClintock, general manager of the Saskatchewan Hockey Association. “We feel this is a great opportunity to showcase female hockey and assist in attracting young girls to our sport.”

Schedule highlights include the host province opening up its tournament against Team Atlantic at 7 p.m. on Wed., Nov. 9, while defending champions, Team Ontario Red, will face Team Ontario Blue in its opener.

Following preliminary-round action, the top two teams in each group move on to play in two semifinals on Nov. 12, and the bronze- and gold-medal games will be held on Sunday, Nov. 13.

Full-event ticket packages are available online for $50, and include all 18 games at Evraz Place.

The 2016 National Women’s Under-18 Championship will bring together teams made up of the best female hockey players born in 1999 or later. The tournament serves as an important platform for Hockey Canada scouts who evaluate candidates for the Canadian contingent that will compete at the IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship, as well as at other international events.

A number of Canadian women’s hockey stars have competed at the National Women’s Under-18 Championship, including Saskatchewan natives and Team Canada alumnae Emily Clark, Jessica Campbell, and Colleen Sostorics, as well as 20 players who helped Canada’s National Women’s Team win a silver medal at the 2016 IIHF Women’s World Championship in Kamloops, B.C.:

• Meghan Agosta (Jan. 2005 – Ontario Red)

• Bailey Bram (2007 – Manitoba)

• Emily Clark (2011, 2012 – Saskatchewan)

• Sarah Davis (2007, 2008, 2009 – Atlantic)

• Laura Fortino (2007, 2008 – Ontario Red)

• Erica Howe (2009 – Ontario Red)

• Brianne Jenner (Nov. 2005 – Ontario Blue; 2007, 2008 – Ontario Red)

• Rebecca Johnston (Nov. 2005 – Ontario Red)

• Halli Krzyzaniak (2011, 2012 – Manitoba)

• Brigette Lacquette (2008 – Manitoba)

• Jocelyne Larocque (Jan. 2005, Nov. 2005 – Manitoba)

• Emerance Maschmeyer (2011 – Alberta)

• Marie-Philip Poulin (Nov. 2005, 2007, 2008 – Quebec)

• Jamie Lee Rattray (2007 – Ontario Blue; 2008, 2009 – Ontario Red)

• Lauriane Rougeau (Nov. 2005, 2007 – Quebec)

• Jillian Saulnier (2007, 2008, 2009 – Atlantic)

• Natalie Spooner (Nov. 2005, 2007 – Ontario Red)

• Blayre Turnbull (2009 – Atlantic)

• Jennifer Wakefield (Jan. 2005, Nov. 2005 – Ontario Red)

• Tara Watchorn (2007 – Ontario Red)

For more information on the 2016 National Women’s Under-18 Championship, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, and follow via social media on Facebook and Twitter.