Neutral Zone scouts were in attendance at the 2026 JWHL Challenge held in Rockville, MD Feb 13-16. Congratulations to Stanstead College who took home the 16U division. Below are players that stood out with grades in relation to others in the evaluations. Each player below has been given a grade based solely on their performance at this event. Players are ranked by descending letter grade order.
Belle Tire
Melanie Hummon #13 (Belle Tire U16, F, 2027): Hummon is a fierce competitor who brings maximum compete to every puck race and is very hard to play against. She plays a committed two-way game, back-checking hard and working hard on the penalty kill to clear pucks from her zone. She is strong on her skates and very hard to move off the puck. She drives the net with determination and fights for position in the slot. In the game we scouted, she scored two goals: one off a rebound in close and the second off a short-handed breakaway where she deked five-hole. On a play that led to her team scoring, she battled two defenders in front which left her teammate open to tap in a rebound. Grade: B+
Elliana Cruciano #88 (Belle Tire U16, F, 2028): Cruciano is a play-driving center who is very effective below the hash marks. She grinds on the forecheck, angling the puck-carrier into the boards and forcing turnovers. She can keep play alive below the goal line with good stops and starts and puck protection. She made a nice touch pass to set up a two-on-one situation, and made a nice centering pass from the corner. She wheels off the wall and shoots from the top of the circles, and is already at the net front crashing for a rebound. Grade: B+
Mackenzie Day #18 (Belle Tire U16, D, 2027): Day is an offensive-minded defender who manages the puck well at the offensive blue line. She looks to activate from the point, taking any space given and can handle the puck well. She has a good shot and will fire the puck from distance whenever she can. She is fast on the rush and can drive play out of her own end with strong stick-handling skills. Grade: B
Allison Majer #57 (Belle Tire U16, D, 2027): Majer brings high compete and physicality to a solid defensive game. She is very physical in puck battles and along the boards. She disrupts play in the neutral zone by closing quickly on the puck-carrier and using her stick effectively. She has a good shot with a quick release. Grade: B
Ally Orlick #91 (Belle Tire U16, F, 2027): Orlick has good speed and reads the play well. Against Washington, she scored a breakaway goal. She has good offensive awareness and can fire the puck quickly when she gets a chance. Grade: B
Sophia Carson #97 (Belle Tire U16, F, 2028): Carson is a driver on her line who competes hard in all three zones. She is dangerous in transition, and she can quickly drive play off a turnover in the neutral zone. She handles the puck well and can create space or draw defenders to her to create space for others. She was strong on the faceoff dot and worked hard on the penalty kill to win the puck. Grade: B
Madelyn Metzger #14 (Belle Tire U16, F, 2028): Metzger is a hard-working forward who back-checks hard and angles players off the puck with her body. She plays a tough two-way game and works hard on the wall to win possession. Grade: B-
Culver Academy
Addison Frazeur #5 (Culver Academy, F, 2029): Frazeur showed strong offensive instincts in the attacking zone, consistently reading the play and anticipating where the puck and teammates will be. Uses smart decision making to drive the puck to the net, attacking open lanes and forcing defenders to collapse on her. She maintained control under pressure, keeping the puck protected while navigating traffic. Frazeur generated scoring chances, whether through direct shots, tipped pucks, or drawing defenders to open teammates. Her ability to combine vision, hands, and aggressiveness in the offensive zone makes her a dangerous, creative presence near the net and a consistent threat to generate offense. Grade: B+
Camryn Seekins #10 (Culver Academy, D, 2028): Seekins showed a quick and decisive release, taking advantage of openings before defenders or the goalie could react. She had a nice goal in the game we watched, by finding the top corner over the goalie’s left shoulder. Seekins ability to jump into the play up ice highlights her aggression and commitment to creating offense, showing that she’s not afraid to take calculated risks to generate scoring chances. Grade: B
Sophia Liu #20 (Culver Academy, D, 2028): Liu showed good vision, constantly scanning the ice to identify passing lanes and openings, particularly areas like the slot. Recognizes defensive coverage and anticipates teammate positioning, allowing her to thread the puck into tight spaces and create scoring opportunities, which included a goal off a well-timed pass. Liu made quick decisions with the puck, processing options under pressure and executing plays before defenders could react. Her combination of awareness, timing, and puck handling skill enables her to generate scoring chances for herself and her teammates. Grade: B
Yulduz Adigozalzada #86 (Culver Academy, F, 2029): Adigozalzada had a keen eye to identify openings and anticipate how plays would develop. Found pockets of space in the offensive zone where she would receive the puck with time to make a play. Used awareness to generate high quality shots on goal, moving into soft areas, exploiting gaps in coverage, and creating lanes for herself or teammates. Adigozalzada combines her reading of the play with quick decision making, allowing her to capitalize on opportunities before defenders can adjust, making her an offensive threat and a player who creates scoring chances out of seemingly tight situations. Grade: B
Emmalyn Ezman #91 (Culver Academy, F, 2028): Ezman showed speed through the middle of the ice, using her stride and acceleration to push play quickly up the center and challenge defenders before they could set up. Attacks the net with determination and physicality, leaning into defenders to protect the puck. Her ability to drive hard to the crease opened space for herself and teammates, and created scoring opportunities in tight areas. Ezman combines speed, puck skill, and aggressive net-front presence to be an impactful, game-changing forward for Culver. Grade: B
Dallas Stars
Lorenna Mcgrath #12 (Dallas Stars Elite U16, F): McGrath plays a strong all around game, consistently active all over the ice with good positioning and awareness. She used board passes, maintaining puck possession and creating offensive opportunities, while reading the play well to anticipate teammate movement. Had good angles on forecheckers and used her stick to steer to the wall. McGrath drove to the net, generating scoring chances, highlighted by a goal vs Washington Pride. Uses her size to her advantage, shielding the puck, winning battles along the boards, and maintaining balance through contact. Quick hands and liked to get shots off quick in the slot. Overall, McGrath is a dynamic, high effort player who combines speed, skill, and hockey intelligence to consistently impact the game at both ends of the ice. Grade: B+
Lucia McGrath #13 (Dallas Stars Elite U16, D, 2029): McGrath plays a smart simple game. On the point, she moves fluidly with the puck, using controlled edge work and body positioning to maintain balance and create passing options. She does a good job of reading the ice to hot open teammates. Makes quick decision making to keep plays alive for her team. By combining composure, smart movement, and reliable puck skills, McGrath contributes to the team’s transition game and sustains pressure while limiting turnovers. Grade: B
Marie Steichen #78 (Dallas Stars Elite U16, F, 2027): Steichen showed good vision in the offensive zone, scanning the ice to find her teammates in prime scoring areas and anticipate where plays will develop. She maintained smart positioning along the perimeter, staying available as an outlet pass to support zone entries or cycle plays. Steichen used her awareness and spacing to keep the puck moving, helping the Stars sustain offensive pressure and generate scoring chances. Her combination of vision, positioning, and decision-making makes her a reliable playmaker in all areas of the offensive zone. Grade: B
Danielle Jang #84 (Dallas Stars Elite U16, F, 2029): Jang showed strong edge control and poise, maintaining balance and fluidity even at the end of long shifts. Skates with confidence, allowing her to adjust to traffic, change angles quickly, and remain a reliable option in both transition and possession situations. On the power play, Jang moved along the point and half-wall, using her skating, vision, and timing to create lanes. Shows a nose for the net, consistently attacking high danger areas to generate scoring chances, tip-ins, or rebounds. Grade: B
LA Lions
Julie Becerra #44 (LA Lions, G, 2029): In five games at this tournament, Becerra faced 251 shots, while maintaining a 0.920 save percentage. She was bombarded with shots in the game we scouted against Stanstead. She is a very athletic goaltender who moves well from post to post in her crease. She has an explosive push off the post, which was tested again and again with cross-crease passes below the hash marks. She challenged shooters with aggressive depths and squared well to the puck. We were impressed with her fitness and mental fortitude, as she played nearly all of the game with the opposing team attacking in her zone. She stayed calm in net and led her team by example. Grade: A-
Anela Nycholat #8 (LA Lions, D, 2028): In a game against a very strong opponent, Nycholat defended well, working hard to contain play in the corners and take away the slot area. She worked hard on the penalty kill, with lots of traffic coming in and out of the net front, to tie up sticks and box out players. She was well-positioned to make plays and hustled to clear loose pucks. Grade: B-
Scarlett Miles #16 (LA Lions, D, 2028): Miles is a strong defender who skates well. In the game we scouted, she made good escapes in her zone to get the puck moving up ice. Grade: B-
Phoenix Dickerson #61 (LA Lions, F): Dickerson is a hard-working center who makes good reads on both sides of the puck. She was forced to play a lot in her defensive zone in the game we scouted, and she did a good job in containment from the corner and picking up threats at the net front. Grade: B-
McKenna Robertson #71 (LA Lions, D, 2029): Robertson is a solid defender who skates well into positions where she can break up plays. She worked hard in the corners and along the boards to contain play and win the puck. She used her stick to good effect in shutting down lanes and forcing play to the outside. Grade: B-
NJ Colonials
Della Gilligan #2 (NJ Colonials U16, F, 2027): Gilligan played with an active, reliable stick, using it to manage pressure, protect possession, and disrupt opponents. Even when closely defended, she showed the ability to get shots on goal, adjusting her body position and release to create attempts through traffic rather than forcing plays or losing possession. Gilligan played a high compete level, consistently skating with urgency and engaging in battles to extend plays. Her willingness to fight through pressure, combined with her pace and determination, allows her to impact shifts offensively and defensively, making her dependable, and hard to play against. Grade: B
Anna Lugerner #14 (NJ Colonials U16, F, 2028): Lugerner did a good job crashing the net with purpose, driving to the crease creating immediate pressure on the defense. Won a 50/50 puck battle through determination and strong body positioning, showing good awareness to locate the loose puck quickly in traffic. Lugerner demonstrated strong instincts and compete level by getting to pucks first. Her willingness to battle in hard areas and her ability to stay engaged around the net highlight her effectiveness in creating and converting second-chance scoring opportunities. Grade: B
Madison Martin #21 (NJ Colonials U16, F, 2028): Martin showed a strong understanding of how to get open off the rush, reading defensive spacing well and timing her routes. Finds soft areas with speed, making herself a dangerous scoring option as the play develops. In the third period in the game we watched, Martin rang a shot off the crossbar, showcasing both her offensive instincts and quick release. Gets pucks off her stick quickly, making it difficult for goaltenders and defenders to react. Her ability to find space, combine it with a fast release, and generate quality chances off the rush makes her a consistent scoring threat. Grade: B
Emma Acomb #54 (NJ Colonials U16, G, 2027): Acomb looked good in net against the Rochester Americans, showing confidence and consistency throughout her play. Brings good size to her position and uses it well, combining reach and strength with the ability to move fluidly. Plays an aggressive game around shots. Acomb’s willingness to assert herself defensively, paired with her mobility and physical presence, makes her a dependable goalie who can handle pressure, and physical play against strong competition. Grade: B
Brooke Gundlach #11 (NJ Colonials U16, D, 2027): Gundlach is an active defender. Skates with good speed up ice, allowing her to close space, create advantages, and stay involved as the play transitions. She keeps her head up with vision, reading pressure and spacing effectively to make plays at pace. Her ability to combine speed, anticipation, and playmaking makes her a reliable transition player who consistently helps generate offense. Grade: B-
Mount Academy
Lauren Horsnell #18 (Mount Academy U17, F): Horsnell showed strong north–south speed through the neutral zone, allowing her to push pace and back off defenders on zone entries. She combines good size with balance to protect the puck, making her difficult to knock off possession. She was confident and sturdy on her stick in traffic, she can absorb contact, maintain control along the walls, and extend plays to create offensive opportunities for herself and her linemates. Grade: B
Emma Ancliffe #78 (Mount Academy U17, G, 2029): Ancliffe had a strong performance against Belle Tire in the game we watched. She showed poise and reliability in net. Did a noticeable job smothering pucks on initial shots and controlling rebounds, especially in tight around the crease, which limited second-chance opportunities in front. She moved post-to-post with good balance and edge control, staying square to shooters. Ancliffe showed solid technical habits throughout the game, maintaining proper depth and positioning in the crease while remaining calm and composed under pressure. Grade: B
Olivia Warford #14 (Mount Academy U17, D, 2027): Warford was strong on the penalty kill. SHe used an active stick to take away passing lanes, pressure puck carriers, and force plays to the outside. Reads the ice well, anticipates seams before they open, and maintains strong positioning to limit high-danger chances while buying time for teammates to reset. Grade: B-
OHA
Olivia Powis #26 (OHA Tardiff, F, 2028): Powis was consistently disruptive throughout the game we watched, applying pressure on puck carriers and interrupting breakouts. Takes advantage of any time and space given, getting a quick wrister off with minimal hesitation and showing confidence shooting from distance. Powis was willing to put pucks on net to create rebounds and secondary chances. Displays good speed in open ice, allowing her to separate from defenders, close gaps quickly, and be a threat in transition both offensively and defensively. Grade: B+
Kaelyn Stansell #82 (Thunder Bay Queens BAA, F): Stansell generated offense through pace and determination, including a breakaway against NAHA that showcased her speed and ability to get behind the defense. She did a good job keeping multiple plays alive at the blue line with strong reads, quick hands, and good puck support, preventing the puck from exiting the zone and sustaining offensive pressure. Stansell showed strength and confidence attacking the middle of the ice by lowering her shoulder, driving hard to the net, and finishing the play with a goal against NAHA, demonstrating both power and a scorer’s mindset. Grade: B+
Kylie Ipeelie-Dunphy #16 (OHA Prep MAA, F, 2027): Ipeelie-Dunphy used her edges to change pace and direction, allowing her to create separation from defenders in tight areas and off the rush. Shows strong balance and body control through turns, making her hard to contain. She was reliable in the faceoff dot, using good timing and technique to win or tie up draws. Demonstrated good awareness and creativity by setting up a teammate with a behind-the-back pass, catching the defense off guard and creating a quality scoring chance. Grade: B
Cindy Zhu #59 (OHA Prep MAA, D, 2027): Zhu used her length and reach to apply pressure on opposing players, taking away time and space and forcing rushed decisions. She disrupts and ends opposing rushes by extending her stick into passing and shooting lanes, breaking up plays before they even develop. Zhu maintained good gap control and body positioning, allowing her to steer attackers wide and separate them from the puck. Her lengthy frame is a clear asset defensively, creating a strong defensive presence that is difficult for opponents to play through. Grade: B
Lucy Feng #67 (Okanagan Hockey Academy Prep, F, 2027): Feng forced turnovers in all three zones through constant pressure, strong anticipation, and an active stick away from the puck. Does a good job reading lanes and jumping on loose pucks, disrupting breakouts in the defensive and neutral zones transition. Feng played with a high compete level and physical edge, making her difficult and frustrating to play against. Constantly engaged, finishes checks, and applies pressure on puck carriers, wearing opponents down over the course of the game and creating momentum shifts for her team. Grade: B
Philly Jr Flyers
Rachel Steward #24 (Philadelphia Jr. Flyers U16, F, 2027, Penn State): Steward stands out as a dominant offensive player whenever she takes the ice. Against St. Louis, she scored three goals and set up countless scoring chances. She scored two goals on the penalty kill, showing off her excellent reads and explosive skating. She uses the wall well, and is a master of chipping the puck into space and making indirect passes. She is quick and agile, an excellent transitional skater, and strong on her edges. She can stickhandle in tight spaces, attacking the defenders triangle, slipping the puck back across the seam or toe-dragging with ease. She has an excellent shot and is a threat to shoot from anywhere in the offensive zone. She raises the pace of play for her linemates. Grade: A
Caroline Coen #9 (Philadelphia Jr. Flyers U16, D, 2028): Coen is a dynamic defender who drives play for her team with her excellent skating and puck skills. She is eager to activate offensively, joining the rush or skating the puck out of her zone. She handles the puck confidently and can control the pace of play with patience and poise. She is a hard-worker who competes hard in all zones. Working from the point, she will take advantage of any space given to attack the net or snap a hard shot on goal. In the game against Culver Academy, she scored a power play goal by walking the puck down from the point, taking a wide angle with her head up, beating the goaltender clean in the top corner. She is a dogged puck pursuer who is tough on the boards. Grade: A-
Ashlyn Jacobs #19 (Philadelphia Jr. Flyers U16, F, 2028): Jacobs is a skilled center who can at times dominate play and push defenders back on their heals. Against St. Louis, she scored two goals. The first came as she deked through three defenders and then finished in tight. The second came off a breakaway goal on the powerplay. She is an agile skater whose shiftiness allows her to get inside and behind the defense. She protects the puck well and will work from the outside of the zone until she creates separation with her quick feet. Grade: A-
Lauren Steward #28 (Philadelphia Jr. Flyers U16, F, 2029): Steward is a smart and highly-skilled forward who moves very well off the puck. She is a play-driver who makes good decisions in terms of shot placement and puck movement. Against Culver, she made a smart pass-off-the-pads shot that resulted in a goal. She is dangerous working below the goal line – her vision and reads allow her to make excellent passes and her skill allows her to drive the goal from below, as she did in one game, scoring on her backhand. She has excellent hockey sense and reads the play quicker than most of her peers, allowing her to present as calm and poised. Grade: A-
Paloma Larocque #29 (Philadelphia Jr. Flyers U16, G, 2029): Larocque started in two games at this tournament, earning two wins and allowing only three goals on 32 shots. She is a structurally-sound goaltender who has a very quick glove hand. She is tough to beat cleanly as she quickly squares to the puck on each shot. She plays the puck actively, and in game she fired a pass to a teammate at the red line who had just made a line change. Grade: B+
Blair Weber #77 (Philadelphia Jr. Flyers U16, F): Weber is a fast, rangy forward who closes quickly on the puck and who can drive play with quick feet. Her speed and long reach make her an effective forechecker and backchecker. Grade: B
Olivia Hamilton #87 (Philadelphia Jr. Flyers U16, F/D, 2028): Hamilton is a solid defender who manages the puck well from the blue line and who can get a good shot on goal from the point. She skated well in the game we scouted, positioning herself to make plays and step up to close games. She had a number of good keeps at the offensive blue line. Grade: B
Meredith Swavely #20 (Philadelphia Jr. Flyers U16, D, 2028): Swavely is a solid defender who extends the life of plays at the blue line with good keeps along the boards. She defends well with good footwork and timing, closing off the puck-carrier and angling them into the boards. She worked hard in the corners and at the net front to win pucks and did a good job containing play and shutting down the center lane. Grade: B
Zuzanna Klotzbach #23 (Philadelphia Jr. Flyers U16, F, 2029): Zuzanna Klotzbach (F, Philadelphia Jr. Flyers U16, 2029) Klotzbach is a hard-working forward who plays with pace and creates difficulty for the other team below the goal line. Her puck pursuit is excellent and she doesn’t stop moving her feet until she has initiated contact. Her forechecking led to a number of turnovers below the goal line. Grade: B
PTL
Makenna Wessel #16 (Princeton Tiger Lilies, F, 2029): Wessell is a highly-competitive player who brings a feisty game. She is hard on pucks and willing to engage physically to win the puck. She worked hard on the boards and kept her feet moving to close players off. She always gave a full shift. Grade: B
Maya Sturm #28 (Princeton Tiger Lilies U14, G, 2028): Sturm is compact in the crease, moves well laterally off the post, and tracks the puck well when it is deflected. She saw a lot of action in this tournament, facing 189 shots over five games, and maintaining a 0.899 save percentage. Grade: B
Madelyn Kalachik #13 (Princeton Tiger Lilies, F, 2029): Kalachik has good offensive awareness and skill. She has good handles when she has time and space and can drive play from the outside. She showed good lateral speed and cut back across the grain for a shot on goal. Grade: B-
Maddy McNeill #27 (Princeton Tiger Lilies U14, F, 2028): McNeill played with her head up, always looking to pass and made quick decisions to keep the puck moving. She skated into good positions to provide puck support. Grade: B-
Matyas Leonards #52 (Princeton Tiger Lilies, F): Leonards is a hard-working forward who competes hard in all three zones. She’s a good skater with decent speed who works hard on the forecheck. She was effective on the boards using her stick to win loose pucks. Grade: B-
Rochester Jr Americans
Teagan Coyne #5 (Rochester Jr Americans U16, F, 2029): Coyne brought a high-tempo, pace-driving element to her game, using her speed to chase down loose pucks and win races. Engages physically along the walls, using her body to shield the puck and battle through contact. She plays with her head up in possession, showing awareness and a willingness to distribute, especially looking to find teammates in the slot. Set the tone early with a strong opening shift, carrying momentum by making a sharp cut into the middle of the ice and generating a quality shot on net, immediately putting the opposition on their heels. Grade: B+
Isabella Gionta #10 (Rochester Jr Americans U19, F, 2028): Gionta showed strong offensive awareness and hockey IQ by using her teammates. Moves well without the puck, supporting plays and making herself available as an outlet to keep pressure in the zone. She demonstrated good positional awareness by recognizing when to fill the point as a defenseman activates deep, maintaining structure and preventing odd-man rushes the other way. Gionta was rewarded for her instincts around the net by tracking a loose puck, jumping on the rebound in front, and finishing with a quick, confident roof for a well-earned goal. Grade: B+
Connie Baudo #19 (Rochester Jr Americans U16, D, 2029): Baudo is a strong, agile skater who demonstrates good lateral mobility, allowing her to quickly adjust positioning both offensively and defensively. She uses her edge work and stride to stay balanced in tight spaces and maintain pressure on opponents. Shows timing with her shot selection, finding and firing through seams in traffic to create scoring chances. Combines speed, control, and awareness to exploit gaps in coverage, making her a consistent threat in transition and around the net. Grade: B
Evie Warner #88 (Rochester Jr Americans U16, F, 2030): Warner is a strong, smooth skater who supports the play by reading the ice and joining both offensively and defensively. Uses edge work to shift laterally or pivot quickly, allowing her to evade pressure and create space for herself or teammates. She used the outside lanes to maintain possession and open up passing or shooting options, showing both smart positioning and an ability to manipulate defenders with her movement. Warner combines skating, awareness, and spatial intelligence to keep plays alive and generate opportunities in transition and in the offensive zone. Grade: B
Regan Healy #40 (Rochester Jr Americans U16, G, 2028): Healy showed exceptional athleticism and flexibility in net. In the game we watched, she made athletic saves that required quick reflexes and strong body control. She moved smoothly within the crease, staying square to shooters and adjusting depth quickly to cover high-danger areas. Healy demonstrated puck tracking, reading the play and anticipating shots before they were released, allowing her to react swiftly and confidently. Combined agility, positioning, and focus to minimize scoring chances and maintain composure under sustained pressure. Grade: B
St. Louis Blues
Lilli Christiansen #90 (St. Louis Lady Blues U16, D, 2028): Christiansen is a defender who excels in all aspects of her game and eats heavy minutes for her team. She is fast off the rush and can drive play out of her zone by building speed with strong strides. She handles the puck confidently with her head up, and smartly distributes the puck to improve the position of attack. She manages the puck well from the blue line and makes good decisions to keep play alive. Defensively, she was well-positioned to defend and used her stick to disrupt plays. Grade: B+
Aubrey Proetz #13 (St. Louis Lady Blues U16, D, 2028): Proetz is a solid defender who closes gaps quickly and uses her stick to effectively steer play toward the boards. She was effective at containing play in the corners and used her body to clear the front of the net and take away sticks. Grade: B
Moya Brake #18 (St. Louis Lady Blues U16, F, 2027): Brake is a quick skater who possesses good offensive skills. In the game we scouted, she danced around defenders for a good scoring chance. She keeps her feet moving and closes on pucks quickly. Grade: B
Ally Barzak #19 (St. Louis Lady Blues U14, D, 2029): Barzak is a solid defender who also impressed us with her offensive skill. In the game we scouted, she scored a nice goal by driving the puck wide in the offensive zone, looking like she was going to pass the entire time, then lowered her shoulder and snapped a wrist shot that beat the goaltender. Grade: B
Kylie Geiser #23 (St. Louis Lady Blues U19, F, 2028): Geiser is a hard-working forward with good offensive awareness. She did a good job managing the puck from the half-wall on the power play. She didn’t rush the play, and she kept her feet moving to change the angle of attack. Grade: B
Audrey Bauer #24 (St. Louis Lady Blues U16, F, 2028): Bauer is a physical presence on the ice for her team and causes havoc in the front of the net. She is not fast, but she hustles, and can therefore be effective on the forecheck, especially with her long reach. On the power play, she was effective in the bumper position, as she possesses a dangerous shot. She is strong on her stick and tough to move off the puck. Grade: B
Paige Roussey #30 (St. Louis Lady Blues U16, F, 2028): Roussey has good offensive awareness and skill on the puck. On the power play, she works below the goal line, setting up scoring chances with passes from behind the net. If options are unavailable, she will drive the net herself. She handles the puck well and is patient and poised. Grade: B
Sydney Talley #87 (St. Louis Lady Blues U16, F, 2028): Talley is skilled and speedy and can take advantage of open ice when it is given. She has good hands and can make strong plays driving the puck off the wall. She plays off the puck a bit too much, and would be well-served to involve herself more in the play. With her skill, she can be effective making plays in tight spaces. Grade: B-
Stanstead College
Elizabeth Belanger #4 (Stanstead U18, F, 2029): Belanger demonstrated great on-ice vision, spotting open teammates and creating high-quality scoring opportunities with passes, establishing herself as a reliable playmaker. Handles pressure effectively, keeping poise when opponents close in, and makes smart decisions under duress. Used her size to her advantage, leveraging reach and strength to anticipate plays, control space, and protect the puck. Belanger contributed directly to the scoreboard with 1 goal and 1 assist against Culver, showing offensive instincts and finishing ability. Shows a nose for the net, aggressively attacking the crease to dig out rebounds and capitalize on second-chance opportunities. Skates with confidence and control, executing tight turns and pivots to evade defenders and maintain offensive flow, making her a dynamic threat in both transition and set plays.Grade: A-
Hailey Gilbert #6 (Stanstead U18, F, 2028): Gilbert played with relentless effort and a high compete level, bringing energy to every shift. Used strong speed on the forecheck to pressure opposing defenders, disrupt breakouts, and create turnovers in the offensive zone. Aggressively drives to the net, showing courage and determination to get into scoring areas despite traffic or contact. Fearless in her approach, Gilbert was willing to battle along the boards, crash the crease, and engage physically to generate opportunities for herself and her teammates. Combines intensity, speed, and tenacity to make herself a constant threat and a challenging player for opponents to contain. Grade: B+
Jadin Bingham #11 (Stanstead U18, F, 2027, Merrimack): Bingham has quick stickhandling and finishing ability in tight spaces, able to navigate through traffic and make quick moves around defenders. Showcased a hard shot shooting with a clean, well-placed snipe against Rochester. Strong on the forecheck, she pressured opponents, forcing turnovers that led directly to offensive opportunities. Capitalized on one such play by quickly reading the ice, receiving a smart pass in the slot, and executing a controlled deke to beat the goalie and finish with a goal. Bingham combines vision, skill, and composure to consistently create and capitalize on high-danger scoring chances. Grade: B+
Rafaelle Parent #14 (Stanstead U18, F, 2029): Parent showed a high-level hockey IQ, using strong vision and awareness to make the right play with the puck. Recognizes when a teammate has more space or a better angle and skillfully redirects or passes to them. Good decision making under pressure, reading defensive alignments and anticipating the flow of play to maintain possession and keep the offensive zone alive. Parent combines poise, timing, and precision to move the puck efficiently, making her a reliable and dynamic playmaker who elevates the performance of her linemates. Grade: B+
Eloise Gagne #15 (Stanstead U18, D, 2028): Gagne is a skilled defender, showing good vision and awareness from the point, consistently scanning the ice to identify open teammates and anticipate developing plays. Makes quick, smart decisions, favoring simple, high-percentage options that keep the play moving and minimize turnovers. Gagne made a nice pass down low to a teammate in front of the net, creating a high-danger scoring opportunity, showing both timing and accuracy. Combines composure, positioning, and puck-handling ability at the point to sustain offensive pressure and facilitate effective zone play. Grade: B
Charlotte Grace #19 (Stanstead U18, D, 2026): Grace had quick transition instincts, smoothly retrieving the puck under pressure and quickly assessing options up ice. Uses speed and vision to make a sharp pass that finds teammates on the rush, effectively turning defense into offense. Grace showed poise and precision in movement and puck-handling, allowing her to maintain momentum while creating high-quality scoring opportunities while not throwing the puck away. Combines awareness, speed, and accuracy to generate dangerous breakout plays and keep the play moving efficiently. Grade: B
Jade Wilson #30 (Stanstead U18, G, 2027): Wilson looked good in net in the game we watched. She made a quick split save, getting low and extending fully to stop a high-danger shot. Immediately followed up with a quick toe save, showcasing rapid recovery, strong hand-eye coordination, and the ability to react instinctively under pressure. She showed elite flexibility, balance, and agility in the crease, allowing her to cover angles effectively while staying poised for follow-up opportunities. Wilson combines explosive movement with technical skill to make challenging saves look routine and maintain control over high-paced sequences. Grade: B
Team Colorado
Campbell Tippett #43 (Team Colorado U16, F, 2028): Tippett is a play-driver who can rush the puck and create offense with her speed. In the game we scouted, she created a two-on-one off a quick rush up the wing in transition and made a smart pass-off-the-pads to her driving teammate to scored. She’s able to get behind the defense and use her speed to separate herself. She handles the puck well and has nice moves when attacking the net. Grade: B+
Bellina Huang #9 (Team Colorado U16, D, 2027): Huang is a smart defender who is not afraid to jump into the attack in the offensive zone. She managed the puck well from the blue line, and when she was given space, she took it and attacked the net. She handles the puck well when pressured, and was able to lower her shoulder and drive the puck to the net while warding off the defender on her. Grade: B
Emma Kelly #18 (Team Colorado U14, F, 2029): Kelly brings a good mix of physicality and speed to her game. She accelerated quickly rushing the puck out of her zone and was able to drive play up ice by finding open space. She is a dogged puck-pursuer who doesn’t quit on the play, but keeps her feet moving until she’s on the puck-carrier. She was tough and physical along the wall and in puck battles, using her upper body strength to gain puck separation. Grade: B
Beatrix Wiedenmayer #19 (Team Colorado U16, F, 2027): Wiedenmayer has a high compete level as well as skill. In the game we scouted, she made a beautifully crisp cross-ice pass to a teammate on the backdoor for a tap-in goal on the power play. She skates well and tracks the puck, making her effective on the forecheck and in picking up coverage in the neutral zone. Grade: B
Macey Bell #27 (Team Colorado U19, F, 2028): Bell moves confidently with the puck and can drive play in the offensive zone for her team. In the game we scouted, she drove the net hard on a two-on-one and scored off a pass-off-the-pads. She makes good zone entries, taking the puck wide to create space, or turning back sharply toward the boards to protect the puck. Grade: B
Piper Brennick #89 (Team Colorado U16, F, 2028): Brennick is quick, agile, and skilled. She can dangle the puck in traffic and create a scoring opportunity out of nothing. She’s a shifty skater who uses strong edgework to get around defenders who get stuck flat-footed. Grade: B
Vivian Flanagan #92 (Team Colorado U14, F, 2028): Flanagan impressed us as a hard-working forward who does a little bit of everything. Her hard forechecking caused a number of turnovers and rushed passes, one which led to a high-danger chance in the slot. She back-checks with determination, skating hard to meet the puck-carrier and angle them off the puck. She has good speed and can drive play into the offensive zone. Grade: B
Kinsey Robinson #22 (Team Colorado U16, F, 2028): Robinson is a skilled forward with good offensive instincts. In the game we scouted, she scored off her own rebound on a shot from the hash marks, showing a determined effort to fight through checks to get to the net. Grade: B-
Lauren Deckers #15 (Team Colorado U16, F, 2027): Deckers is a hard-working forward who forechecks with determination. In the F1 position, she dogs the puck-carrier by keeping her feet moving and initiating contact with her stick on the puck. She takes good angles to puck and forces turnovers low in the zone. Grade: B-
Anna Monckton #5 (Team Colorado U14, F, 2029): Monckton is an effective forechecker who keeps her feet moving and attacks the puck-carriers at good angles to force play. She used her stick effectively to take away lanes and used her body to seal off the boards. Grade: B-
Gianna Bahe #4 (Team Colorado U16, F, 2029): Bahe drives play out of her zone with good speed and makes good decisions to move the puck to improve its position. She made several strong passes to teammates attacking the net, putting them in a good position for a shot on goal. Grade: B-
Washington Pride
Kailey Allen #3 (Washington Pride U16, G, 2029): Allen had an outstanding performance, stopping 46 of 50 shots in a high-volume game, with the only goal allowed being a knuckler on a breakaway in the game we watched. Demonstrates impressive athleticism, quickly re-adjusting in chaotic situations in front of the net and maintaining composure under pressure. Strong lower-body strength allows her to protect the bottom of the net, while her glove hand is sharp. In her game against Dallas, Allen made 36 saves while allowing only one goal, showcasing consistency and focus. Exhibits solid lateral movement across the crease, giving her extended reach and coverage, while absorbing shots with ease thanks to her ability to remain square to shooters. Reads plays well, tracking pucks through traffic and maintaining awareness around opponents to anticipate and react to scoring threats. Grade: B+
Campbell Walker #22 (Washington Pride U16, D, 2028): Walker demonstrated good hockey IQ by reading plays and anticipating the opponent’s actions. Steps confidently to the blue line when the play dictates, challenging attackers, taking away passing lanes, and asserting control over the point. Walker used her size to her advantage, using her reach and strength to win puck battles, protect space. Combines awareness, composure, and physical presence to be a reliable and assertive force at both ends of the ice. Grade: B
Corinne Burke #4 (Washington Pride U14, F, 2029): Burke kept offensive alive at the blue line, maintaining puck possession under pressure and supporting teammates to sustain zone time. Showed strong spatial awareness, finding soft areas in the offensive zone to create passing lanes or open shooting opportunities. Comfortable firing from the point or taking one-timers, evidenced by her 1 goal and 1 assist against Dallas. Burke brings strong leadership to the ice, communicating and setting tempo. Excels defensively with a committed backcheck. Grade: B
Kennedy Myles #7 (Washington Pride U16, F, 2028): Myles had strong puck-carrying ability, maintaining control and composure while navigating through traffic on breakouts. She skates with a low, powerful stance to protect the puck and generate momentum. Myles engaged physically in the defensive zone, supporting battles along the boards and helping teammates regain possession. Showed good awareness and commitment to defensive responsibilities, hustling back quickly after offensive shifts to ensure proper coverage and prevent odd-man rushes. Grade: B-
Abigail Szugye #19 (Washington Pride U16, F, 2028): Szugye played with effort and a high compete level, bringing energy every shift. Skates with speed and power, driving play offensively. Has good on ice awareness,making decisions with the puck and reading the ice to anticipate plays. Possesses an offensive-minded approach, always looking for opportunities to generate scoring chances, support teammates in the attack, and sustain pressure in the offensive zone. Szugye combines work ethic, skating ability, and strategic thinking to make herself a consistent threat and key contributor on the ice. Grade: B-
Winchendon School
Abigail Waara #2 (Winchendon School, D, 2027, Northeastern): Waara is a gamer, and every time we scout her, we’re never disappointed. She brings a very high compete level to her game, whether she is working hard on the boards to free up a puck, jumping down to the slot in the attacking zone for a scoring chance, or clearing the front of her net. She is a fast skater who rushes the puck with confidence and shows off good stick-handling. She has a wicked shot from the point and a very quick release. She is calm and poised with the puck, allowing space to open before making a play. She defends well and is very hard to beat. Grade: A-
Gia Orizotti #18 (Winchendon School, F, 2028): Orizotti is a highly-competitive forward who excels at the center position. She is strong on the faceoff dot and brings a smart two-way game. She has a great wrist shot and a quick release. She has a great first two steps and is able to explode into a gap to create a turnover or collect a loose puck. She can drive play off the rush or slow down the pace of play with patient puck-handling. Grade: B+
Ashlee Marsala #32 (Winchendon School, F, 2027, LIU Brooklyn): Marsala dominated at times in the game we scouted, dangling through the entire team for a shot on goal. Her acceleration is impressive, and she can drive play out of her end by getting the puck up the ice quickly. She has great hands and can handle the puck confidently when pressured. She scored when she drove across the center lane and fired a shot to the far side. She shows good vision with puck and can find teammates moving with speed in the offensive zone. Grade: B+
Maria Hamm #4 (Winchendon 16U, D): Hamm is a skilled defender who adds a lot to her team’s offensive attack. She walked the blue line confidently, using quick feet to open up a lane and change the angle for a shot. She pulls the puck off the wall fluidly and is confident making plays from the top of the zone. Grade: B
Grace Mumford #11 (Philadelphia Jr. Flyers U14, D, 2028): Mumford is speedy and agile and is able to close on the puck quickly. She defended well against the rush and used her stick effectively to break up plays. Grade: B
Haley Hasbargen #14 (Winchendon School, F, 2027, Assumption College): Hasbargen is a physical forward who excels in the dirty areas and works hard along the boards to win the puck. She has good offensive instincts, as she showed when she tapped in a pass from a teammate just off the crease as she kept her feet moving coming through the slot. Grade: B
Clare Sullivan #17 (Washington Pride U16, F, 2028): Sullivan is a smart player who competes hard and skates well. She was very effective on the penalty kill, shutting down lanes with a good reach and ragging time in the offensive end when the other team turned the puck over. She drives the net hard and finds open ice to provide puck support. She scored off a rebound on the power play after getting inside position on her defender. Grade: B
Meagan Precourt #86 (Winchendon School, F, 2029): Precourt is a skilled forward who handles the puck confidently. She is a quick skater who builds speed off the rush and can force defenders back on their heels. On the power play, she worked well protecting the puck and not rushing or forcing the play. Grade: B
NAHA Red
Lexi Drevitch #3 (NAHA Red 16U, D, 2027): Drevitch is a skilled defender who handles the puck well and drives play out of her zone. In the game we scouted, she showed good speed and awareness on power play zone entries and managed the puck well from the point. She is confident with the puck, calm and poised, and does not force plays. She defended well in her zone and was impressive in all three zones. Grade: B+
Maggie Fitzpatrick #13 (NAHA Red 16U, D, 2028): Fitzpatrick impressed in this tournament with her skill and compete level. She is an offensive-minded defender with nice hands and good speed. In the game we scouted she dominated at times, breaking up a play along the boards in her defensive zone, then wheeling behind her net and driving play from the goal line up ice. She disrupts play in the neutral zone with good reads and an active stick. She defends well in her own zone and will step up to block a shot or take a body. Grade: B+
Annie Gilbertson #19 (NAHA Red 16U, F, 2028): Gilbertson is a talented center with good offensive awareness. In the game we scouted, she scored driving the net in the center of the ice off a pass from the corner. She is tough along the boards, initiating contact with her shoulder and lifting sticks. She shows a lot of determination and it is very hard to get the puck off her. Grade: B+
Nicole Bethune #30 (NAHA Red 16U, G, 2028): Bethune is an athletic goaltender with great mechanics and compete. She faced a lot of heavy traffic with scrums in front of her, keeping calm and staying on the puck. She made a number of key saves in the semifinal game against Culver Academy, a shut-out win. Bethune allowed only four goals on 108 shots in four games at this tournament for a 0.963 save percentage. Grade: B+
Payton Monusky #12 (NAHA Red 16U, D, 2027): Monusky battled hard in front, using her strength to clear the slot and tying up sticks before shots arrived at the net front. She did a good job containing play from the corners and was able to shut down passing lanes with good positioning and a good stick. Grade: B
Charlotte Lobisser #22 (NAHA Red 16U, F, 2029): Lobisser demonstrated a good two-way game by driving offensive play in the attacking zone and by staying on the right side of the puck in the neutral and defensive zone. She is a quick player who can jump quickly into open ice and make a play. She carried the puck confidently and had a number of shots on goal in the game we scouted. Grade: B
Birdie Iversen 38 (NAHA Red 16U, F, 2028): Iversen impressed as a highly-skilled forward who can skate well and make plays. In the game we scouted, she set up a goal by corralling a bouncing puck off the boards, protecting the puck from attacking players, and centered a pass that was fired in the net. She does a good job getting shots on net, especially when coming off a high cycle at the top of the circles. Grade: B
Molly Anslow 41 (NAHA Red 16U, D, 2028): Anslow did a good job breaking the puck out of her zone, hitting players in stride with crisp lead passes. She caused turnovers by moving her feet and using her stick effectively. Grade: B
Karissa Chapkosky 46 (NAHA Red 16U, F, 2028): Chapkosky is a fast forward who drives play off the rush. She shows good vision on the ice, making strong leading passes to teammates in motion. She is strong on the faceoff dot, and tracks down loose pucks with determination. Grade: B
Emma Collacchi 53 (NAHA Red 16U, D, 2028): Collacchi managed the puck well from the blue line, using her feet to open up space and change the angle of attack. Working from the point, she will take any space given to improve the position of the puck. Grade: B
Emme Margolis 71 (NAHA Red 16U, D, 2029): Margolis is a smart, smooth-skating defender who makes good decisions with the puck. She kept play alive in the offensive zone by making good plays at the blue line. She can make a soft touch pass in the neutral zone or snap a crisp lead pass to a player coming out of her zone. Grade: B
Kylie Henderson 81 (NAHA Red 16U, F, 2029): Henderson brings physicality and determination to her game. She is effective on the forecheck, using her long reach and keeping her feet moving to create turnovers. She is strong and physical on the boards and very willing to stop and battle for the puck. She was effective on both the power play and penalty kill in the game we scouted. Grade: B
Maja Pircio 96 (NAHA Red 16U, F, 2028): Pircio is a skilled forward with some slick moves. In the game we scouted, she pulled a puck through her legs to beat a defender wide and then beat the goaltender cleanly. She skates well and is confident with the puck on her stick. Grade: B