February’s Commit list is an all-Canadian one, that includes players from the Ontario, Manitoba, New Brunswick, and Alberta provinces. This list includes players ranging from 3 stars to 3.75 who will be joining NCAA Division 1 or USport programs next season, along with two players joining their respective teams in 2025.
Ava Wood – F (★★★3/4) – Commits to Colgate University ‘25
The New Brunswick native is having a spark of a season with 40 points so far in 35 games. She added 4 points in 5 games as well, in representing Team Atlantic in this year’s Canada National tournament. Wood still has another season to continue to develop her game with Oakville before joining Colgate in 2025 and we have no doubt that she will continue to do so.
NZ Scouts say: “She works hard in all three zones, battles, and does a lot of little things to help her team have success. Despite being only 5-foot 6-inches, Wood showed no problems getting to hard to play areas and winning battles.”
Sade Sandilands – D (★★★1/4) – Commits to University of Maine ‘25
Sandilands will have another season in the Edge School Prep program before pulling over that Black Bears jersey. This will give her just a bit more time to develop her game, as well as suit up for Team Alberta once again. She dressed in all 10 games for Team Alberta this season and put in a strong performance for her province.
NZ Scouts say: “Sandilands initiated the breakout with crisp first passes to exit the zone versus Saskatchewan. She controlled and handled the puck with poise and finesse as she spun away from checks to escape pressure and get the puck up ice. Her size and long reach enabled her to protect the puck and carry it deep into the attacking end, and then she used her speed to get back quickly to defend. Sandilands played physically and did a good job taking the body.”
Michelle Gao – D (★★★) – Commits to University of Guelph ‘24
The left-handed defender from Nepean, ON has spent these past three seasons playing for the Ottawa Lady Senators, amassing 34 points over that span. Next season she will jump the nearly 300 mi/482 km across the province to Guelph and begin her collegiate career for the Gryphons. Gao will look to follow in the footsteps of her new team’s steady defensive play, improving upon an already impressive season record of 27-6-3-3.
NZ Scouts say: “Gao has size, quickness, and strong balance on her skates. She can handle the puck smoothly. She drives lanes in the neutral zone to try and open up ice and space and to try to push the defense back off the line. With her size, she has a presence in front of the net.”
Clara Juca – G (★★★) – Commits to University of Saskatchewan ‘24
The New Westminster, BC netminder will join a Huskie squad that went 21-10 this season and are in the championship tournament. The 5’8” goalie will come in as the 3rd netminder for the Huskie’s but no doubt will battle to gain playing time. While currently playing for the Etobicoke Dolphins, she has represented her province as well as her country when chosen for the U18 National Team. She will look to bring that experience and help her university to yet another successful season.
NZ Scouts say: “Juca played very patient with her glove hand, she made several glove saves against Alberta in the bronze medal game. She showed great patience on a 2 on 1 and slid over to make the save. Kicks out her pads well to make saves. She is calm under pressure moves head around to locate loose pucks and save rebound chances.”
Taylor Thompson – (D) – Commits to University of Toronto ‘24
The Etobicoke Dolphins defender will not have to travel far next season, as she will suit up for her home town team at the University of Toronto. She will join a strong program at UT as they finished second in the East Division this season with a record of19-8-1. The 5’7”, left handed defender will look to make an impact right away with the Varsity Blues.
NZ Scouts say: “Thompson controls the puck with poise as she curls to escape pressure. She makes a crisp first pass to start the breakout. The defender gets back quickly and picks up the open player. Thompson gets pucks through traffic and to the net with a quick snap shot from the point.”
Addie Kramer (D) – Commits to Dalhousie University ‘25
Kramer has had a successful 4 season stint with the Oakville Hornets and will add one more season under her belt in 2024. The 5’11” defender has that size and reach that everyone wants in a defender on their team. In 2025 she was skate to the Northeast in Halifax where she will suit up for the Tigers. Kramer will undoubtedly add depth to the blueline of a Tigers squad.
NZ Scouts say: “Kramer is a smart defenseman who reads the play well. Multiple times she picked off breakout or regroup passes to cause a turnover and keep the pressure on. She makes a hard, accurate first pass on the breakout and gets up the ice quickly to support as an option. Makes excellent choices in her own zone and from the offensive blue showing her versatility and hockey sense.”
Katie Anhalt (F) – Commits to Mount Allison University ‘24
Brenna McNamara (G) – Commits to Rochester Institute of Technology ‘24
Hannah Deck (D) – Commits to College of the Holy Cross ‘24