The Junior Women’s Hockey League announced on Thursday, March 13 their end-of-year award winners. NAHA’s Mikah Keller, Philadelphia Junior Flyer Ava Thomas, and Northwood’s Sophia DeAnzaris and Oceanne Thiffault-Michel all received individual awards.The JWHL also named the players selected for its first and second all star teams.
Ava Thomas (Philadelphia Jr. Flyers U19, F, 2025, Boston College) was the clear choice for the league’s Forward of the Year award as she led all scorers with 31 goals and 19 assists in 17 games. The USA Hockey U18 team standout and gold medalist showed once again her ability to take over games. “Every time she steps on the ice, your eyes are drawn to her,” said one Neutral Zone scout. “Her offensive skills and speed make her a threat to score on every shift.” Thomas will be taking her talents to Boston College next year as one of the most heavily-recruited prospects in women’s college hockey.
Northwood School’s Sophia DeAnzeris (Northwood School, D, 2025, UVM) was named the league’s Defender of the Year after the senior took command of her team’s blueline this season. From quarterbacking the offense to shutting down the opposition’s best scorers, DeAnzaris brought a fast and physical style of play that led her team to a 2025 JWHL Challenge Cup championship. Look for her to bring the same smart and gritty competitive fire to the Vermont Catamount’s blueline next year.
Oceanne Thiffault-Michel (Northwood School, G, 2026, RIT), a junior at Northwood, was named the JWHL Goaltender of the Year after posting an impressive 2.10 goals against average and .921 save percentage in 11 games this season for the Huskies. The Montreal native and RIT commit was cool as ice in the championship game of the JWHL Challenge Cup, making several clutch saves.
Mikah Keller (NAHA White 19U, F, 2025, Penn State), this year’s Liz Turgeon Player of the Year Award recipient, finished fourth in the league with 16 goals and 13 assists in 19 games. The elite center led the powerful NAHA offense with her competitiveness, creativity, hockey sense, and exceptional offensive skills. The Mosinee, Wisconsin native, long known as a scoring machine during her time at NAHA, has developed into a strong leader who inspires and motivates her teammates to excel. Keller will be playing for Penn State in the fall, joining NAHA alumnus Tessa Janecke, a former Turgeon Award recipient.
Other nominees for the prestigious Turgeon Award included forward Karelle Daigle from Rothesay Netherwood, Laura Dyke from Northwood, Ava Thomas, and forward Rosalie Tremblay from Stanstead College. The Award is named for Liz Turgeon, the outstanding Colorado Selects and University of Minnesota player who was tragically killed in a car accident in 2010. The award is given to the player who best embodies Turgeon’s values, including a positive attitude, incomparable work ethic, fierce competitive spirit, and a willingness to put her teammates before herself.
Karelle Daigle (Rothesay Netherwood School, F, 2025, Toronto), a smart and speedy winger from Dieppe, New Brunswick, has been a leader for her Rothesay Netherwood Prep team for the last four years and also served as the captain for the 2024 Hockey Canada Team Atlantic U18 squad. Despite her small stature, Daigle is a ferocious player who brings a gritty, physical game. She has committed to the University of Toronto for next fall.
Laura Dyke (Northwood School, D, 2025, RIT) finished third among defenders in league scoring with 5 goals and 10 assists in 19 games. A fleet-footed puck-moving defender, Dyke drives much of her team’s offense from the back end. The St. John’s, Newfoundland native will be heading to RIT in the fall.
Rosalie Tremblay (Stanstead College, F, 2026, Wisconsin) has been wowing scouts and fans alike in her time at Stanstead College. This season, the future Wisconsin Badger finished third in JWHL scoring with 12 goals and 18 assists in 17 games. A Team Canada U18 standout, Tremblay once again led the ferocious one-two offensive punch with her sister Maxim for Stanstead this year. One Neutral Zone scout called her a “magician with the puck,” describing her puckhandling as “hypnotizing” and “scary.”
The league also named its all star team selections at their annual awards banquet in Boston this week. First team selections included forwards Ava Thomas (Philadelphia Jr. Flyers U19, F, 2025, Boston College), Mikah Keller (NAHA White 19U, F, 2025, Penn State),Maxim Tremblay (Stanstead College, F, 2025, Boston College), defenders Maelie Pion (Stanstead College, D, 2025, St. Cloud), and Sophia DeAnzeris (Northwood School, D, 2025, UVM), and goaltender Oceanne Thiffault-Michel (Northwood School, G, 2026, RIT). Second team selections included forwards Rosalie Tremblay (Stanstead College, F, 2026, Wisconsin), Loelie Lachapelle (Northwood School, F, 2026, Boston University), and Kassidy Carmichael (NAHA White 19U, F, 2025, Ohio State), defenders Shelby Shane (Philadelphia Jr. Flyers U19, D, 2025, Penn State), and Isa MacPhee (Stanstead College, D, 2025, Mount Royal), and goaltender Evelyn Brown (NAHA White 19U, G, 2027).
Article written by Frank Mills