REGINA, Sask. – The best young female hockey players from across the country will converge on Regina to go for gold at the 2016 National Women’s Under-18 Championship, Nov. 9-13.

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 made the announcement on Friday in Regina.

“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. “With Weyburn hosting the 2016 Esso Cup this month and the under-18 event in November, we feel this is a great opportunity to showcase female hockey and assist in attracting young girls to our sport.”

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.

“This championship has become an important event in the development of our nation’s top female talent. We look forward to returning to Regina in November and encourage everyone to come out to support the future stars of Canadian women’s hockey,” said Dean McIntosh, senior director of events and properties for Hockey Canada. “The city of Regina has a history of hosting Hockey Canada events from the national level to international games, and we know the organizers, volunteers, and fans will come together again to make this 2016 National Women’s Under-18 Championship a success for participants and visitors alike.”

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, which wrapped up Monday 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.