Neutral Zone had scouts in attendance at the PIP Labor Day Girls Fest Tournament over Labor Day weekend that took place in Pittsburgh, PA. The players below played in the 16U division. Congratulations to the MN Jr Whitecaps Black who took home the Gold Division and the Detroit Little Caesars who took him the Silver Division. Below are players that stood out with grades in relation to others in the evaluations. We did not see every team the same amount of time thus the possible differences in evaluations per team. Each player below has been given a grade based solely on their performance at this event.
Assabet Valley
Ani Andersen #21 (Assabet Valley Red Major U16, F, 2030) : Andersen is a highly competitive, well-rounded player who impacts the game in all three zones. She is an excellent skater with quick acceleration, top-end speed, strong edges, and four-way mobility, using her skating to win races, create separation, and generate offense. She has a strong all-around passing game and delivers the puck with accuracy and pace. Her quick release and ability to find soft ice make her a dangerous shooter, while her quick hands and puck control allow her to create space and escape pressure in traffic. Defensively, she takes strong angles, pressures quickly, and uses an active stick. Despite her smaller stature, she competes hard, wins battles, and consistently plays with a high motor. Her hockey IQ, timing, and ability to find open ice are also strong assets. Grade: A
Maggie Grant #13 (Rivers School, F, 2029) : Grant is a strong, smart player who protects the puck extremely well and competes hard through contact. She does a good job driving wide, dipping her shoulder, and rolling off pressure to maintain possession. Her ability to use her edges in the corners gives her good escape ability and makes her difficult to defend. She is not a straight-line speed player, but she has a strong stride and good reach that allow her to cover ground effectively. She makes smart decisions with the puck and showed encouraging patience on the rush, gaining the middle of the ice before attacking and shooting from a better position. This led directly to an assist on the team’s lone goal. She also generates good heat on her shot. Overall, her puck protection, strength, patience, and decision-making are significant positives. Continuing to attack through the middle and create chances from dangerous areas should allow her offensive game to continue developing. Grade: A-
Bea Maclean #1 (Assabet Valley Red Major U16, G, 2028) : Maclean is an athletic and agile player who demonstrates strong movement and recovery skills in the crease. She tracks the puck well, allowing her to stay square to the play and react effectively to shots and passing plays. One of her strengths is her ability to recover quickly after making a save. Her athleticism helps her regain position and remain ready for the next shot, particularly during scramble situations. She also shows good rebound control, limiting second-chance opportunities and helping her team maintain possession. Overall, she is a strong, athletic goaltender with good puck tracking, quick recovery, and solid rebound control. Continued development in these areas should help her become an even more consistent and confident presence in the net. Grade: B+
Libby Melly #12 (Middlesex, F, 2029) : Melly is an explosive and dynamic player who uses her skating ability and quickness to create offensive opportunities. She is light on her skates and possesses a quick first step, allowing her to accelerate quickly and transition effectively from defense to offense. She is particularly effective in the corners, where her quickness allows her to get to loose pucks and exit the zone with possession. Her ability to make quick transitions and attack with speed helps her generate high-danger scoring opportunities. She has good offensive instincts and uses her skating ability to create separation from defenders. She also possesses a quick release and a heavy shot, making her a dangerous scoring threat when given time and space. Her smaller stature can be offset by her quick feet, acceleration, and ability to change direction quickly. Grade: B+
Alex Wu #19 (Assabet Valley Red Major U16, D, 2029) : Wu is a strong, intelligent defender who shows excellent puck protection and escape ability in tight spaces. She uses her edges well and does a good job rolling off contact to maintain possession and create time for herself. She possesses a good first pass and demonstrates strong hockey IQ. She consistently looks to make creative plays to spring forwards through the neutral zone, but also shows the patience and awareness to recognize when the option is not available. Rather than forcing the play, she adjusts and makes the simple pass to the other side of the ice. Overall, she is a composed and intelligent defender with strong edgework, puck protection, and first-pass ability. Her patience and ability to recognize different options make her a reliable puck-moving defenseman. Grade: B+
Malin Wilde #45 (St. Paul’s School, D, 2029) : Wilde is a strong, mobile defender who uses her size, strength, and big reach effectively. She has good maneuverability and escapability, allowing her to handle pressure and make plays in tight areas. She can also contribute offensively from the offensive blue line, showing confidence in creating plays and keeping pucks alive. Her heavy shot adds another dimension to her offensive game and makes her a threat from the point. Grade: B
Aileen Marradi #88 (Cushing Academy, D, 2029) : Marradi is a competitive, hard-working player who plays with a strong edge and consistently pressures the puck. Despite her smaller stature, she competes hard along the walls and does a good job winning battles. She has a quick first step and closes on opponents quickly. She protects the puck well in tight spaces and shows good escapability when under pressure. Her quickness and compete level make her an effective defender who is difficult to play against. Grade: B
BK Selects
Genevieve Walsh #5 (Rochester Youth Hockey – BK Selects U16, F, 2029) : Walsh is a dynamic, highly skilled player who does an excellent job controlling the pace of play. She has outstanding puck control in tight spaces, strong edge control under pressure, and good puck protection. She consistently creates separation with her hands and edges and can beat defenders cleanly in 1-on-1 situations with moves such as the toe drag. She showed excellent offensive instincts, finding open space backdoor, calling for the puck, and reading plays well enough to make a great tip opportunity. She also demonstrated strong playmaking ability, explosively beating a defender before delivering a perfectly placed backdoor pass for a goal. Her ability to create offense off the rush and in tight areas was evident throughout. After being denied on a breakaway attempt, she stayed engaged, received the puck in the corner, created space with her hands and edges, and finished with a well-placed shot to the near corner. Her curl-and-drag shot was another effective tool. Defensively, she showed good effort and awareness, attacking the puck carrier and applying pressure. Grade: A
Mikayla Fanale #97 (Rochester Youth Hockey – BK Selects U16, F, 2029) : Fanale is a relentless, hard-working player who creates offense through strong puck protection and constant pressure. She does an excellent job using her body and opening her hips around defenders to protect the puck, as shown on a beautiful goal where she created space and snapped a shot into the right corner. Her pressure game is another standout quality. She relentlessly pursues the puck, pressures defenders hard, and forces mistakes that lead to offensive opportunities. She also showed excellent poise around the net, waiting out the goalie before dragging a backhand across the crease and tucking it in for a goal. Overall, she combines strong puck protection, relentless pressure, and excellent finishing ability to create scoring chances and make an impact offensively. Grade: A-
Kate Jessup #71 (Rochester Youth Hockey – BK Selects U16, F, 2029) : Jessup is a hard-working, skilled player who consistently plays with great pace and competes every shift. She does an excellent job finding soft ice and winning space, while her quick hands in traffic and quick release make her a dangerous offensive threat. She is a very agile skater with strong edges, allowing her to change direction and create separation effectively. She combines her skill with a high compete level and a willingness to make plays in difficult areas of the ice. She capped off a strong performance by scoring a composed snipe for the game-winning goal in the shootout. Grade: A-
Clare Healy #7 (Rochester Youth Hockey – BK Selects U16, D, 2030) : Healy is a tough, physical player who plays with excellent awareness and confidence. She uses strong body positioning behind the net and does not back down from physical play. Her active stick is a major asset, allowing her to disrupt plays and break up rushes effectively. She showed good gap control, using quick lateral crossovers and strong stick positioning to maintain tight gaps and control attackers. She also moves the puck well, delivering passes with good pace and heat. Overall, she is a physical, intelligent defender who combines strong positioning, active stick work, gap control, and mobility to defend effectively and transition the puck. Grade: A-
Avery Flaherty #13 (Rochester Youth Hockey – BK Selects U16, F, 2030): Flaherty is a speedy, explosive player who is constantly in motion. She has excellent agility and quickness, allowing her to change direction effectively and create space. Her ability to tiptoe around defenders makes her difficult to contain and allows her to maintain momentum while attacking with the puck. Overall, her speed, explosiveness, and agility make her a dynamic offensive player who can consistently create separation and challenge defenders. Grade: B+
Ellie Quattromani #18 (Rochester Youth Hockey – BK Selects U16, F, 2029) : Quattromani showed excellent puck skills and offensive awareness. She has quick feet and consistently keeps her head up, allowing her to see plays develop and find teammates with quick, well-placed passes. She showed the ability to thread passes through traffic with good pace. She also demonstrated deceptive stickhandling, using fake shots to manipulate defenders and create space. On one play, she used a fake shot before ripping a shot through traffic that was tipped by a teammate for a scoring opportunity. Overall, her quickness, vision, and deception make her a creative and dangerous offensive player. Grade: B+
Tennessee Jones #23 (Rochester Youth Hockey – BK Selects U16, D, 2029) : Jones is a highly mobile and elusive player with quick feet and excellent edge control. Her ability to stop, start, and change direction allows her to escape pressure and confidently cut up the middle between defenders. Defensively, she plays with good aggressiveness and timing. She makes effective pinches and attacks puck carriers quickly, consistently taking away time and space. Her mobility allows her to close gaps quickly and stay engaged in the play. Grade: B+
Bella Scanlan #51 (Rochester Youth Hockey – BK Selects U16, D, 2029) : Scanlan is a smart, composed player who uses strong angles effectively to defend and control opposing attackers. She has good edge control, allowing her to move efficiently and maintain strong positioning throughout the play. She also possesses a powerful shot that adds an offensive element from the blue line and makes her a threat when given shooting opportunities. Overall, she combines smart defensive positioning, strong skating fundamentals, and a powerful shot to contribute at both ends of the ice. Grade: B+
Kathryne Monko #75 (Rochester Youth Hockey – BK Selects U16, D, 2029) : Monko is a strong, mobile puck-moving defender with quick hands and excellent awareness. She keeps her head up while moving with the puck and can confidently carve through traffic to escape pressure and advance the play. She has a low center of gravity and is strong on her skates, making her difficult to knock off the puck. Her powerful first step gives her excellent acceleration and helps her create separation quickly. Grade: B+
Keara Day #58 (Rochester Youth Hockey – BK Selects U16, D, 2029) : Day is a strong, mobile skater with good edge control and an effective backward stride. Her ability to move comfortably and efficiently while skating backward allows her to maintain positioning and stay engaged with attackers. Overall, her skating foundation and edge control give her a solid defensive presence and the ability to manage gaps effectively. Grade: B
Boston Jr. Eagles
Margaret Chudzinski #2 (Boston Jr. Eagles U16 Gold, D, 2028) : Chudzinski is an active, mobile player who brings strong north-south speed and consistently looks to make an impact at both ends of the ice. She does a good job cutting through players with the puck and using deception at the blue line to create space and advance the play. Defensively, she does an excellent job swallowing up open ice, closing gaps quickly, and limiting time and space for attackers. She stays active on the blue line and is willing to step into plays to keep pressure on the opposition. She also contributed offensively with an early goal against St. Louis. Overall, her skating, aggressiveness, and ability to close space make her an impactful two-way defenseman. Grade: A-
Teagan Beigel #4 (Dexter Southfield School, F, 2029) : Beigel brings good energy and a positive presence to every shift. She does a good job getting pucks to the net and creating offensive opportunities through a direct, attacking style. She also shows good awareness with the puck, playing it into open space for herself and her teammates to skate onto. Overall, she is an energetic forward who makes smart plays with the puck and consistently looks to create offense. Grade: A-
Alexandra Hinck #6 (Boston Jr. Eagles U16 Gold, F, 2028) : Hinck is a smart, composed defender who consistently holds good gaps and challenges opposing rushes effectively. She shows strong timing when angling forwards, using her positioning to limit space and control the attack. Offensively, she does a good job getting shots through from the point, creating opportunities for rebounds and tips. Overall, she combines sound defensive positioning with an ability to contribute offensively from the blue line. Grade: B+
Caroline Kreuz #24 (St.Marks School, F, 2028, Stonehill) : Kreuz plays with a good motor throughout her shifts and consistently competes for pucks. She is a strong skater who uses her speed to beat defenders to 50/50 pucks and create extra possessions for her team. Off the puck, she does a good job finding open ice and positioning herself as a dangerous offensive option. With the puck, she is deceptive and can use her skill and movement to create space and keep defenders guessing. Overall, she is a hardworking, intelligent forward who combines strong skating, compete level, and off-puck awareness to consistently create offensive opportunities. Grade: B+
Chloe Rabazzi #9 (Dexter Southfield School, D, 2029) : Rabazzi showed strong offensive instincts and confidence joining the attack on the power play. She recognized the open space in the slot, cut into the middle of the ice, and positioned herself in a dangerous scoring area. She was rewarded for her movement with a goal, finishing the play with a well-placed shot into the bottom-right corner. Her ability to recognize space and attack from the slot adds another dimension to her offensive game and makes her a threat from more than just the blue line. Grade: B
Amelia Paes #13 (Boston Jr. Eagles U16 Gold, F, 2030) : Paes uses her outside speed effectively to attack defenders and create separation. She does a good job getting to the outside, using her speed to get around defenders and gain an advantage off the rush. Her ability to attack with speed makes her a dangerous option in transition and gives her opportunities to drive play toward the net. Overall, her outside speed is a strong asset that allows her to create space and put pressure on opposing defenders. Grade: B
Vanessa Hall #22 (Phillips Andover Academy, D/F, 2028) : Hall communicates well with her teammates and shows good awareness of the play developing around her. She does a nice job recognizing open space and confidently jumping into the offensive attack when opportunities are available. Her willingness to activate offensively adds another dimension to her game and allows her to support the rush while creating additional options for her teammates. Overall, she is a smart, communicative defenseman who shows good instincts and confidence joining the play. Grade: B
Mia Cataruzolo #27 (Milton, F, 2030) : Cataruzolo showed strong defensive pressure and anticipation in the neutral zone, forcing a turnover that immediately turned into a breakaway opportunity. Her ability to pressure the puck carrier and capitalize on the turnover demonstrates good awareness and transition instincts. Grade: B
Ella Skeiber #44 (Williston Northampton School, F, 2028) : Skeiber showed awareness and offensive instincts, recognizing open space and timing her movement perfectly to create a mini breakaway opportunity. She found the gap in the defense, attacked the open ice, and finished the chance with a goal. Her ability to read the ice and quickly identify scoring opportunities makes her a dangerous offensive player. Grade: B
Burlington Barracudas
Emmerson McClure #88 (Burlington Barracudas U18 AA, D, 2029) : McClure is a physical defender who uses her size, strength, and competitiveness to make things difficult for opponents. She does a good job winning battles along the boards and fighting for loose pucks, showing a willingness to get into the hard areas of the ice. Her stick is also a strength, as she uses it well to knock pucks away, close passing lanes, and break up plays before they develop. She is not afraid to battle around the net and can make life difficult for players trying to get inside position. Her physical game gives her a good foundation to become a tough defender to play against and someone who can handle the harder matchups. There is not enough information yet to fully judge her skating, puck skills, or hockey sense, which will be important in determining her overall upside. If she can continue developing those areas while keeping her physical and competitive edge, she has the potential to become a reliable, hard-to-play-against defender at higher levels. Grade: B+
Georgia Haaksma #16 (Burlington Barracudas U18 AA, F, 2029) : Haaksma is a smart forward who does a good job finding open areas and getting into scoring positions. Her shot is the biggest strength in her game. She gets it off quickly, has good power behind it, and does a good job hiding the release from the goalie. She also shows some good movement in transition and can change speeds to get into shooting areas. There is not enough information yet to fully judge the rest of her game, including her puck skills, defense, and compete level. Right now, she looks like a player who can be a dangerous shooter, and more evaluation will show how much more she can bring to the game. Grade: B+
Quinn Post #20 (Burlington Barracudas U18 AA, F, 2029) : Post is a sound, responsible forward who plays a reliable game in all three zones. She has good skating mechanics, especially with her stops and starts, which help her change direction and stay involved in the play. Defensively, she does a good job getting back to the middle of the ice and using her stick to break up passes and shots. She is also strong on the puck and uses her size well to protect it under pressure. She does not have one standout skill yet, but she also does not have any major weaknesses. The next step is turning one of these areas, especially her skating or defensive game, into a real strength. If she can do that, she has a good foundation to continue developing at the next level. Grade: B+
Mya Rinaldo #9 (Burlington Barracudas U18 AA, F, 2027) : Rinaldo showed some encouraging offensive ability in a limited sample. Her best play came on a 2-on-1, where she made a smart choice to shoot instead of forcing a pass. She recognized where the goalie and defender were positioned and put the puck in a spot where her teammate could get to the rebound. She showed a good release and an understanding of how to create a scoring chance. There was not enough of her in the game to fully judge her skating, compete level, or defensive play, but there are some good offensive tools to work with. The biggest thing for her is getting more involved throughout the game and making an impact on more shifts, rather than only showing up for a few offensive plays. Grade: B
Sophia Aquino #15 (Burlington Barracudas U18 AA, F, 2027) : Aquino is a strong, competitive forward who does her best work around the net and along the boards. She uses her strength well in battles and does a good job protecting the puck and staying balanced through contact. Around the net, she shows patience and waits for the right opportunity instead of rushing plays. She also does a good job finding open space without the puck and making herself available to teammates. She has a good foundation as a net-front and hard-area player, but the next step is becoming more involved away from the net and boards. If she can improve her puck play in open ice and become more effective in transition, she can become a more complete offensive player. Grade: B
Jade Johnson #84 (Burlington Barracudas U18 AA, D, 2029) : Johnson is a smart, detail-oriented defender who does a good job reading the rush and breaking up plays before they get into the zone. He uses his stick well in the neutral zone, steering players toward the boards and knocking pucks loose. He had several good defensive stops during the game and does a good job staying in position instead of chasing the play. His defensive awareness and active stick are the strongest parts of his game right now and should help him in tougher situations. The next step is making more with the puck after he wins it. He needs to turn those defensive stops into clean passes and quick transition plays so he can become more than just a defensive defender. Grade: B
Katelyn Colford #91 (Burlington Barracudas U18 AA, D, 2029) : Colford is a big, strong defender who does her best work in the defensive zone and in the hard areas of the ice. She uses her size well around the net, doing a good job boxing out players, tying up sticks, and keeping opponents away from the middle. Along the boards, she consistently works to get body position first and uses her strength to win battles and come away with the puck. Her reach and strength allow her to close gaps and stay in position without getting pushed around. She competes hard for loose pucks and brings a physical presence to the back end. The next step for her is showing more with the puck after she wins it. She needs to become more comfortable making clean breakout passes, handling pressure from forecheckers, and moving the puck up ice. If she can add that part of the game, she can become a more complete defender rather than being relied on mainly for her defensive and physical play. Grade: B
Calgary Fire
Katherine Choquette #3 (Calgary Fire Black U18, D, 2028) : Choquette is a poised, shifty puck carrier who does a good job handling pressure in tight areas. She uses small changes of direction and her body well to get away from pressure and keep possession of the puck. Before getting the puck, she does a good job looking over her shoulder to see where pressure is coming from, which allows her to turn away from defenders instead of skating into contact. This is especially noticeable when she is retrieving pucks and helping with breakouts. The next step is making more happen after she escapes pressure. She often makes the safe play instead of looking to attack or make a pass that breaks the defense. If she can turn her ability to escape pressure into more offense, she has the potential to become a much more impactful puck-moving player. Grade: B
Kennedy Burgess #4 (Calgary Fire Black U18, D, 2027) : Burgess is a strong, physical defensive player who does a good job winning pucks through contact. He uses his stick well along the boards and around the net to break up plays and make it difficult for opponents to get shots or passes off. He plays the body well, using his strength to seal players off instead of reaching for the puck. He is comfortable in physical battles and does not get pushed off the puck easily, especially in the corners and in front of his own net. He is willing to make the hard defensive plays and compete for pucks in traffic. His defensive game was the clear strength of this viewing, while there was not much shown offensively. The next step is becoming more comfortable with the puck after winning it and making clean plays under pressure. If he can improve his ability to move the puck and help start the transition game, he can become a more complete defender rather than being limited to a defensive role. Grade: B
Lyla Montoya #5 (Calgary Fire Black U18, F, 2027) : Montoya is a tough, physical forward who does her best work around the net and in the hard areas of the ice. She does a good job getting to the front of the net and holding her position through contact. On the power play, she is effective as a net-front player, taking away the goalie’s eyes, getting her stick on shots, and looking for rebounds. She competes hard around the crease and is often one of the first players to get to loose pucks and second chances. Her willingness to battle and play through contact is one of the strongest parts of her game. The next step is showing more away from the net. She needs to become more involved with the puck, especially along the walls and in transition, while also showing more defensive detail. If she can add more to her game outside the crease, she can become a more complete forward rather than being mainly a net-front specialist. Grade: B
Arwyn Burt #6 (Calgary Fire, F) : Arwyn is a skilled offensive forward who showed good speed and scoring ability in this viewing. She attacked with pace through the neutral zone and did a good job putting pressure on defenders as she entered the offensive zone. On her goal, she received a cross-body pass and quickly changed the angle on her shot, beating the goalie high before the goalie could get set. She showed soft hands and a quick release, getting the shot off without needing to settle the puck or get her body perfectly square. Her ability to finish around the net was the biggest positive from the game. There was not enough of her game away from the puck to fully evaluate her defensive play, forechecking, or puck management. The next step is showing that she can stay involved when she is not scoring and make an impact in more areas of the game. Grade: B
Abigail Mills #12 (Calgary Glaciers U14AA, F, 2029) : Mills is a fast, north-south forward who does a good job attacking off the rush. She gets up the ice quickly and uses her speed to make defenders back up. On her goal, she drove into the zone with pace, used the traffic in front of the net to her advantage, and picked the far side with a shot through the screen. She showed good accuracy and does a good job shooting with a purpose instead of simply putting the puck on net. Her speed and ability to create chances off the rush were the biggest strengths in this viewing. The next step is showing more away from the rush, especially with her forechecking, defensive play, and ability to work the puck around the offensive zone. If she can add more to those areas, she can become a more complete forward and continue to create offense even when teams take away the open ice. Grade: B
Caroline Niedermier #15 (Calgary Fire Black U18, F, 2029) : Niedermier is a quick, shifty skater who uses her speed and changes of direction to create space. She has a good first step and can get up to speed quickly, forcing defenders to turn and adjust to her. She does a good job using stops and starts to change the pace of the play rather than always relying on straight-line speed. Along the boards and in the corners, she is good at escaping pressure and keeping the puck long enough for teammates to get involved. She shows good puck protection and does not panic when defenders close in, making her a useful player on puck retrievals and in cycle situations. Her ability to extend possessions and create time for her teammates is a positive part of her game. The next step is turning those escapes into more offense. She needs to look to attack the middle of the ice more often, get pucks toward the net, and create scoring chances instead of making the safe play back to the outside. If she can become more aggressive after creating space, her skating and puck protection could make her a much more dangerous offensive player. Grade: B
Brooke Pascall #17 (Calgary Fire Black U18, 2028) : Pascall is a tall, strong forward who does her best work around the net and in the hard areas of the ice. She uses her size and reach well to get position in front of the net and does a good job holding that position through contact. She plays with an edge and is not afraid to battle, finish checks, or compete for loose pucks. Along the boards and below the goal line, she uses her strength to protect the puck and is difficult to move off it. She has a clear identity as a strong net-front player who can create screens, battle for rebounds, and make life difficult for defenders. She also shows good willingness to compete in traffic and does not shy away from physical play. The biggest area she needs to improve is her skating. Her first few steps are slow, and she takes time to get up to speed, which can cause her to fall behind the play in transition and on the backcheck. Improving her foot speed, first few steps, and overall mobility will be important so she can get to scoring areas more consistently and make better use of her size against faster competition. If her skating improves, her strength and net-front game give her a good foundation to become a difficult forward to defend. Grade: B
Ryann Schneider #18 (Calgary Fire Black U18, F, 2029) : Schneider is a hard-working, reliable forward who does a good job defensively and competes hard along the boards. She uses her body well to angle players toward the outside and does a good job finishing plays instead of allowing opponents to get to the middle of the ice. She also uses her stick well to knock pucks away and win possession without getting out of position. Away from the puck, she works hard to get back into the play and does a good job reading where the puck is going. She is often in the right spot to break up rushes and create turnovers, making her a player who can be trusted in defensive situations. The biggest area she needs to improve is her speed. Her first few steps and overall skating pace limit her ability to close gaps, win races to loose pucks, and pressure defenders on the forecheck. If she can improve her foot speed and overall quickness, her strong defensive habits and compete level could make her a more effective two-way forward at higher levels. Grade: B
Rachel Markert #19 (Calgary Fire Black U18, F, 2029) : Markert is a quick, aggressive forward who plays with good pace through all three zones. She does a good job changing speeds and using stops and starts to create space instead of skating straight into pressure. Her ability to attack with speed makes her dangerous in transition, and she can create chances when she has open ice. She also gets her shot off quickly and has good power behind it, making her a threat when she finds space to shoot. Away from the puck, she reads plays well and does a good job taking away passing options and pressuring puck carriers. She showed good effort on the penalty kill and was able to create a scoring chance after forcing a turnover. Her speed, work rate, and ability to pressure opponents are clear strengths. The next step is getting stronger in battles along the boards and around the net. She can get pushed off the puck in contested areas, so adding strength and becoming more comfortable playing through contact will help her keep possession and create more offense inside the dots. If she can add that physical element to her game, she has the tools to become a more complete two-way forward. Grade: B
Lena Dundas #22 (Calgary Fire Black U18, F, 2027) : Dundas is a shooting-focused forward whose biggest strength is getting the puck to the net quickly. She has a quick release and does not need much time or space to get her shot off. She can change the angle of her shot and release it before the goalie has time to get set, which makes her dangerous when she finds open space. There is also good power behind her shot, allowing her to create rebounds and make things difficult for the goalie. Her quick release and shooting ability are the biggest reasons to continue watching her. There was not enough shown in this viewing to fully judge the rest of her game, including her passing, puck retrievals, and defensive play. The next step is becoming more involved when she does not have a clear shooting opportunity. If she can add more puck skills, playmaking, and defensive detail to her game, she can become a more complete offensive threat rather than relying mainly on her shot. Grade: B
London Clingman #24 (Calgary Fire Black U18, D, 2027) : Clingman is a big, strong defenseman who does a good job using her size, strength, and reach to defend. Her best skill is her ability to make a quick, accurate first pass and get the puck out of the defensive zone. She reads pressure well when retrieving the puck and uses her feet and body to create space before finding an open teammate. Along the boards, she protects the puck well and does not get knocked off it easily. Around the net, she uses her size to tie up sticks, clear players out, and make it difficult for opponents to get inside position. She also keeps her game simple and usually makes a safe, effective play rather than forcing the puck into a bad area. Her ability to quickly turn a defensive-zone recovery into a clean breakout is a strong part of her game. The next step is adding more offense. She needs to show more confidence joining the rush, moving the puck at the offensive blue line, and creating shots from the point. If she can add more offensive involvement while keeping her strong defensive habits and first-pass ability, she has the foundation to become a more complete defenseman. Grade: B
Teah Mah-Fifi #31 (Calgary Fire Black U18, G, 2027) : Mah-Fifi is a tall, athletic, technically sound goaltender who uses her size well to fill the net and make saves look difficult for shooters. She moves very well in the crease, getting post to post quickly and staying controlled when moving from her butterfly back to her feet. Her positioning is a major strength, as she reads the play well, gets square to the puck, and does a good job cutting down angles. She also does a good job tracking the puck through traffic and screens instead of losing sight of it. Behind the net, she is comfortable handling the puck and can give her defense another option when starting a breakout. She competes hard on every play and stays composed even after giving up a goal or making a mistake. The biggest area to improve is her rebound control. Too many shots are kicking back into dangerous areas instead of being directed to the corners. Cleaning that up will be important as she faces better shooters and more traffic around the net. Overall, she has a strong foundation with her size, movement, positioning, and compete level. Grade: B
Chicago Mission
Alexandra Poulios #16 (Chicago Mission U16, F, 2030) : Poulios stood out in the game that we scouted as a highly-skilled dynamic forward with a strong skating base. Her first three steps are explosive and she combines this with a long, powerful stride to generate speed. Her pivots and transitional skating are very strong, showcasing agility and strong edgework. She handles the puck well and plays at pace with the puck on her stick. She is a play-driver who can open up a lot of ice with her speed and stickhandling. She has quick hands and can certainly dangle in a crowd, but will also drop her shoulder and keep her legs moving on a powerful net-drive. She brings a high compete level and grit to her game, and is effective on the boards. Grade: A-
Graycen Bowman #4 (Chicago Mission U16, D, 2029) : Bowman is a solid defender with good size who can shut down play with an active stick or by gaining body position on an attacker. She is strong on her skates and a physical force on the boards and at the net-front. She is very willing to get in front of pucks and takes away lanes with good body positioning. Offensively, she has a heavy shot from the point and can release the puck quickly when pressured. She is confident with the puck on her stick and makes patient decisions. She can drive play off the rush and create space for her teammates with effective puck-handling and skating. She is adept at breaking the puck out of her zone and makes calm decisions to get the puck moving. Grade: A-
Lilia Martin #19 (Chicago Mission U16, F, 2028) : Martin is a skilled offensive player who skates well off the puck and provides excellent puck support on the attack and in transition. She is a smart player who has mastered the details of the game, like presenting her stick well and clearly for a pass. She is constantly scanning the ice and moving her feet, moderating her speed to get behind defenders and open up play. She handles the puck very well and can create an offensive opportunity out of seemingly nothing. She has a strong shot and finds herself open by smartly reading the play. Grade: B+
Samantha Bonarek #24 (Chicago Mission U16, F, 2030) : Bonarek is a skilled forward with an elite shot who is in constant motion in the attacking zone. She works well off the cycle, bringing speed on the puck coming off the wall. In the game we scouted, she scored a nice goal coming off the wall below the goal line, looked like she was going to make a pass to the slot, and then sniped short-side. She plays with her head up and is always scanning for opportunities. Her foundational shooting mechanics and release are very strong, allowing her to shoot in stride, hide her release, and catch goaltenders off-guard. She established a good net-front presence, keeping her feet moving and eluding the defensive coverage while presenting her stick and taking away the goaltender’s eyes. Grade: B+
Sarah Yates #10 (Chicago Mission U16, D, 2028) : Yates is a puck-moving defender who skates well and excels at the transition game. She defended well in the game we scouted, with good gaps and positioning, an active stick, and good awareness to work with her defensive partner on coverage. She handles the puck well from the offensive blue line and makes smart decisions. She holds the blue line well and keeps play alive by sealing the wall, pinching, or stepping into space to force the wing to come off the wall. Grade: B+
Madeline Licudine #3 (Chicago Mission U16, F, 2029) : Licudine is a skilled forward with strong offensive instincts. She reads the play well and anticipates where the puck is going. She scored two goals in the game we scouted, both off smart reads at the net-front. She skates well and can handle the puck to drive play. She did a good job creating space in the offensive zone and was able to extend play by keeping her feet moving in puck pursuit. Grade: B+
Capri Sullivan #9 (Chicago Mission U16, F) : Sullivan is a skilled forward with decent speed who can drive play off the rush. She handles the puck confidently and plays with her head up. She protects the puck well on the exterior and can create space for a scoring chance with patient puck possession. She skated well on the forecheck and brought a high compete level to her game. Grade: B
Shae Watson #29 (Chicago Mission U16, F, 2028) : Watson is a speedy forward with a high compete level. She never stops moving in the offensive zone, constantly churning her legs and looking for space to jump into. She supports the puck very well, and makes defensive coverage difficult for the opposition, opening up space for her teammates. She works hard on the forecheck and gets on the puck quickly, using her stick to break up plays along the wall and passes coming out of the zone. Grade: B
Sloane Deptula #37 (Chicago Mission U16, D, 2029) : Deptula is a skilled defender who is adept at getting pucks on net from the blue line. She skates well and handles the puck confidently, allowing her to walk the blue line and open up a shooting lane. She moved the puck well out of her zone and showed good vision flipping the ice on transitions. She defended well and was reliable in shutting down the attack. Grade: B
Angelina Vittorio #66 (Chicago Mission U16, F, 2029) : Vittorio stood out in the game we scouted as a player who reads the ice well and anticipates the play faster than those around her. She has good stickhandling skills and can drive play off the rush, maintaining pace and forcing the opposition to shrink their zone. She protects the puck well and can create offense from the perimeter, drawing pressure to her and then finding a teammate in stride. She was effective on the forecheck getting her stick on the puck and skating through contact. Grade: B
CT Polar Bears
Nadia Smith #11 (Berkshire School, F, 2028) : Smith is a smaller, athletic forward who stands out with her skating, puck skills, and ability to make plays. She has quick feet and good edges, which allow her to change speeds, get around pressure, and escape defenders in tight areas. She handles the puck very well and does a good job keeping it on her stick through traffic, along the boards, and in the offensive zone. Her passing is also a strength, as she can make accurate plays through small openings and move the puck quickly to create chances for teammates. She shows good hockey sense by reading pressure early, finding open space, and staying involved in the play. She also competes hard for pucks and does not shy away from battles despite being smaller. The biggest area she needs to improve is her strength. Bigger defenders can move her off the puck along the boards and around the net, so getting stronger and learning to use her body better will be important. If she can add that physical element while keeping her skating and puck skills, she has the tools to become a very effective player at the next level. Grade: B+
Bess Elkins #26 (Loomis Chaffee School, D, 2030) : Elkins is a smaller, quick forward who moves the puck well and plays with good pace. She has quick hands and makes decisions quickly, allowing her to pick up pucks and move them up ice without taking extra time. Her skating is one of the best parts of her game, as she changes direction well, builds speed through the neutral zone, and can carry the puck while moving at full speed. She does a good job getting her body into position to receive passes and finding passing lanes early, which helps her keep plays moving. Her puck skills are also good in tight areas, and she can escape the first layer of pressure when defenders close in. She has a good wrist shot with more power than you would expect from her size and does a good job picking spots instead of simply shooting at the goalie. The biggest area she needs to improve is strength. Bigger defenders can move her off the puck along the boards and through contact, so she will need to get stronger and improve her ability to protect the puck. If she can add that strength while keeping her speed, hands, and quick decision-making, she has the tools to become an effective transition player at higher levels. Grade: B+
Lauren Kim #13 (Taft School, F, 2030) : Kim is a quick, offensive-minded forward who does a good job finding open ice and getting her shot off quickly. She can catch and release in one motion, changing the angle of her shot before defenders have time to close her down. She also skates with good pace through the neutral zone and can push defenders back when entering the offensive zone. Away from the puck, she does a good job reading where space is opening up and finding areas in the slot or around the back post where she can become a scoring option. She also works hard on the forecheck and uses her speed to put pressure on opposing defenders. The next step is showing more with the puck and in the defensive zone. She needs to prove she can win battles along the boards, protect the puck under pressure, and stay involved when there is less open ice. If she can add more strength and puck possession to her game, she can become a more complete offensive player rather than relying mainly on her speed and ability to find scoring areas. Grade: B
Caitlin Byrne #19 (Williston Northampton School, D, 2030) : Byrne is a smaller, highly skilled forward who creates offense with her skating, puck skills, and hockey sense. She has quick feet and good edges, allowing her to change speeds and directions to create space and make defenders adjust. She does a good job looking around before getting the puck, which helps her make quick plays and keep the offense moving. In tight areas, she is difficult to contain and can use quick turns, changes of direction, and deception to escape pressure along the boards and during cycle play. She also has a good shot and can get it off quickly, making her a threat to score as well as set up teammates. Her ability to make plays while moving at speed is one of the biggest strengths in her game. She competes hard for pucks and continues to work to get back into the play when she loses possession. The biggest area she needs to improve is her strength. Bigger defenders can move her off the puck along the boards and around the net, so getting stronger and learning to use her body better through contact will be important. If she can add strength while keeping her skating, skill, and creativity, she has the tools to become a very effective offensive player at the next level. Grade: B
Detroit Little Caesars
Kenadie Copeland #37 (Little Caesars U16, G, 2028) : Copeland is a smaller, quick forward who moves the puck well and plays with good pace. She has quick hands and makes decisions quickly, allowing her to pick up pucks and move them up ice without taking extra time. Her skating is one of the best parts of her game, as she changes direction well, builds speed through the neutral zone, and can carry the puck while moving at full speed. She does a good job getting her body into position to receive passes and finding passing lanes early, which helps her keep plays moving. Her puck skills are also good in tight areas, and she can escape the first layer of pressure when defenders close in. She has a good wrist shot with more power than you would expect from her size and does a good job picking spots instead of simply shooting at the goalie. The biggest area she needs to improve is strength. Bigger defenders can move her off the puck along the boards and through contact, so she will need to get stronger and improve her ability to protect the puck. If she can add that strength while keeping her speed, hands, and quick decision-making, she has the tools to become an effective transition player at higher levels. Grade: B
East Coast Wizards
Serena Mohsen #29 (BB&N, D, 2029) : Mohsen is a smart, composed player who shows good awareness with the puck and rarely looks rushed when under pressure. She keeps her head up, sees plays developing, and does a good job getting the puck to a teammate before defenders can close her down. She can create space for herself by moving off the boards and cutting toward the middle, which gives her better shooting and passing options. She is comfortable taking shots from the point and the outside areas and does a good job getting the puck through toward the net, giving her team opportunities for rebounds and second chances. Her ability to read the game and make the next play is one of her biggest strengths. She does not force plays and generally makes simple decisions that keep possession moving in the right direction. The next step for her is becoming more aggressive and involved inside the offensive zone. She needs to find ways to get into the middle of the ice, compete harder for loose pucks, and create offense closer to the net instead of relying mostly on outside shots. If she can add more of that inside presence to her strong puck decisions, she can become a much more complete offensive player. Grade: A-
Ashley Anderson #10 (Williston Northampton School, F, 2029) : Anderson is a quick, offensive-minded forward who can create chances off the rush and finish around the net. She was the best player on the ice against St. Louis, scoring three goals by using her speed to get around defenders and attack the net. She carries the puck well while moving and can make plays through pressure without losing her speed. One of the biggest positives in her game is that she is willing to go to the front of the net instead of staying on the outside. She does a good job getting position, battling through contact, and finishing chances in close. She also reads the rush well and does a good job deciding when to drive wide or attack the middle. The next step is showing more away from the puck. She needs to prove she can defend in her own zone, backcheck with consistency, and help win pucks back through retrievals. If she can become more reliable in those areas, she has the offensive skill and speed to become a more complete forward and earn trust in all situations. Grade: B+
Kelsey MacPherson #12 (St. Paul’s School, F, 2029) : MacPherson is a skilled, creative forward who does a good job attacking the middle of the ice and getting to the net. She moves well in tight spaces and uses quick changes of direction to get away from defenders. When she drives toward the net, she does not shy away from contact and uses her body to get through defenders instead of staying on the outside. She keeps her feet moving through contact and does a good job getting herself and the puck to the net. She is also confident with the puck in traffic and is willing to try creative plays, including a spin move pass that created a scoring chance for a teammate. Her creativity and ability to make plays when she gets around the first defender are clear strengths. The biggest area she needs to improve is knowing when to make the simple play. At times, she tries to do too much with the puck, and those extra moves and touches can lead to turnovers. As she faces faster and stronger defenders, she will have less time to make those plays, so learning when to move the puck quickly and use her teammates will be important. If she can balance her creativity with better decision-making, she has the skill and competitiveness to become a very effective offensive player. Grade: B+
Ava Carr #4 (Williston Northampton School, F, 2028, Merrimack) : Carr is a smart, hard-working forward who stands out with her defensive play and ability to break up plays before they develop. She reads the ice well and does a good job stepping into passing lanes to create turnovers in the neutral zone. She keeps her feet moving and uses her stick well instead of waiting for the puck carrier to come to her. She also does a good job angling players toward the boards and using her stick to knock the puck away without taking herself out of position. When she wins the puck, she makes a quick play and looks to move it to the middle for a teammate instead of holding onto it too long. This helps her team get going the other way and keeps the play moving forward. Her defensive habits and ability to make reliable plays in all three zones are things coaches can trust. The biggest area she needs to improve is becoming more of an offensive threat after winning the puck. She needs to look to attack with the puck more often, shoot with confidence, and drive toward the net instead of always making the first pass. If she can add more offense to her strong defensive game, she can become a much more complete and impactful forward. Grade: B+
Grace Hildebrandt #7 (East Coast Wizards U16, F, 2028) : Hildebrandt is a confident forward who likes to have the puck on her stick and uses her speed to create offense. She showed a quick, accurate shot on her goal against LC, picking the top corner instead of shooting right into the goalie. She is comfortable handling the puck in traffic and does a good job protecting it while looking for a passing option. She is also patient with the puck and will wait for a teammate to get open instead of forcing a bad pass. Through the neutral zone, she can separate from defenders once she gets moving and is dangerous when she has open ice to attack. Her patience and ability to hold onto the puck can help her create plays for herself and her teammates. The biggest area she needs to improve is being more willing to attack the middle of the ice. At times, she spends too much time circling around the outside instead of getting to the middle or moving the puck quickly. Against faster and more organized teams, she will have less time to make those plays, so she needs to attack inside more often and get the puck off her stick quicker. If she can add that to her game while keeping her speed, shot, and puck control, she can become a more dangerous offensive player at higher levels. Grade: B+
Ava Barbour #15 (Groton, F, 2029) : Barbour is a creative, offensive-minded forward who does a good job making plays through the middle of the ice. She is dangerous both off the rush and around the net, where she works hard to create scoring chances. She does a good job getting her stick free in front of the net and is ready to tip pucks or jump on rebounds, which led to a rebound goal against St. Louis. She also sees the ice well and helped create several 2-on-1 chances by moving the puck quickly and attacking with speed through the neutral zone. On entries, she does a good job driving wide and putting the puck into the middle for teammates instead of forcing a low-percentage shot. She has good hands in tight areas and uses quick moves and deception to create passing lanes and make plays that are not always there at first. Her offensive skill and ability to create scoring chances are clear strengths. The biggest area she needs to improve is her play without the puck, especially her defensive-zone effort, backchecking, and ability to help win pucks back. If she can become more reliable defensively while keeping her offensive creativity, she can become a much more complete forward and earn more trust in all situations. Grade: B
Fox Motors
Marie Colpean #88 (Fox Motors U16, F, 2029) : Colpean is a well-rounded offensive forward whose passing stands out as a genuine tool, delivering crisp, accurate feeds and showing real success threading indirect passes that most players at this level don’t attempt with confidence. Her puck control is a strength in its own right, giving her the base to hold onto pucks under pressure and set up those passing plays rather than simply moving the puck along under duress. Her shot adds another dimension — powerful and quick off her stick, it’s a release that can beat goaltenders who don’t respect the pace she gets on it. She gets her feet moving up ice with purpose, showing the intent to push pace rather than coast through the neutral zone, though her skating currently grades as average alongside her size and strength, meaning the engine underneath her skill set isn’t yet an above-average separator. The passing and shooting described in the notes play up relative to her average-graded tools, suggesting real offensive instincts and hands that are ahead of the raw grades on paper. Her projection ties directly to her skating — if her feet and overall mobility develop into a plus tool, the crisp passing and quick release she already shows will translate into more consistent offensive production as the competition gets faster. Grade: A-
KK Saunders #16 (Fox Motors U16, D, 2029) : Saunders is a big, strong defender who combines that physical frame with a shifty, heads-up game that isn’t always found in a player her size. She sees the ice well, making heads-up plays that show an understanding of the game beyond simply moving pucks in the right general direction, and that same awareness carries into her own zone, where she defends with a shifty, mobile quality that lets her handle attackers without relying purely on her size to bail her out. That size and strength are real assets, giving her an edge in board battles and net-front situations that many defenders her age simply can’t match physically. She’s also a threat jumping into the offensive zone, using her instincts to find soft areas and create pressure rather than just standing at the point — a dimension that adds real value beyond her defensive-zone work. Grade:
Juliet Slobodnik #11 (Fox Motors U16, D, 2029) : Slobodnik is a smart, patient defender whose decision-making with her feet and her stick both point to real hockey sense. Her pinches are calculated rather than reckless — she picks her spots to step up and join the play, showing an understanding of when the risk is worth the reward rather than jumping at every opportunity. Defensively, she’s strong on her stick, using effective poke checks to disrupt puck carriers without taking herself out of position, and her transitions to backwards are quick, letting her match speed with attackers and stay in good defensive shape rather than getting turned around. With the puck, she shows real patience, letting the play develop in front of her instead of forcing an outlet before the picture is clear — a mark of a defender who processes the game rather than just reacting to it. Grade:
Monica Steinmetz #86 (Fox Motors U16, F, 2029) : Steinmetz is a smooth-skating, heads-up forward who reads the game constantly, with her head on a swivel to track developing plays across the ice rather than locking onto the puck. Her transitions stand out as a technical strength — she moves between gears and directions without wasted motion, allowing her to keep pace with the play as it shifts from defense to offense. That awareness translates into heads-up plays, finding options and outlets that a less alert player would miss, and it speaks to a processing speed that’s ahead of just her feet. She’s also willing to crash the net, showing a physical, direct element to her game that complements the more cerebral, transition-based skating and vision described elsewhere in the notes — she isn’t purely a perimeter, finesse player. Grade:
Anabel Zelazowski #27 (Fox Motors U16, F, 2029) : Zelazowski is a patient, poised forward whose shot is the clear standout tool in her game. Her shooting mechanics are solid and quick, grading out above average on the sheet, and that combination gives her a release that’s both technically sound and difficult for goaltenders to time. She pairs that shot with good puck control, handling pucks with a calm, unhurried mentality that lets her wait for the right moment rather than forcing a play before it’s available. Her puck handling grades average, but the poise and patience described in the notes suggest a player who uses what she has efficiently — she’s not rushing decisions or panicking under pressure, which allows her shooting mechanics room to work. Skating currently sits average as well, meaning her feet aren’t yet a separator, but with a shot that already grades as her best tool and puck skills that let her get to her spots, the foundation for a legitimate offensive threat is evident. Her projection is tied to her shot continuing to develop as a true difference-maker — if her skating and overall mobility round into form to match her patience and release, she has the tools of a player who can consistently create and finish scoring chances. Grade:
Noelle Zocco #33 (Fox Motors U16, D, 2030) : Zocco is a smart, hard-working playmaker who does a good job controlling the pace of the game and creating chances for her teammates. She sees the ice well and can find passing lanes through traffic, often making plays to teammates in good scoring areas. She is comfortable along the boards and below the goal line, where she does a good job protecting the puck and waiting for a play to develop instead of throwing it away under pressure. She also works hard without the puck, getting back above it, pressuring defenders on the forecheck, and continuing to compete even when the first play does not work. She does a good job supporting teammates and giving players with the puck an easy option to make the next play. Her hockey sense and work ethic are two of the strongest parts of her game. The biggest thing she needs to improve is becoming more willing to shoot when she has a good opportunity. At times, she looks for an extra pass when she already has a clean shooting lane, giving defenders time to recover. If she can become more confident taking those shots while keeping her playmaking ability, she will be harder for defenders to read and can become a more dangerous offensive player. Grade:
MN Junior Whitecaps Silver
Leighton Kragness #28 (MN Jr. Whitecaps U16, F, 2030) : Kragness is a quick, high-energy forward who plays with good pace and is at her best when attacking with the puck. She carries the puck through the neutral zone with speed and keeps moving once she gets into the offensive zone, making defenders back up and adjust to her. She handles the puck well while moving and does a good job protecting it when changing directions or working along the boards. She also does a good job finding open space and recognizing when defenders lose track of her, allowing her to get into good areas for shots. She can finish chances without needing a lot of time or space and does a good job getting shots off while moving or through traffic. Her speed, urgency, and ability to push the pace are some of the biggest strengths in her game. The biggest area she needs to improve is her play without the puck. She needs to show more consistency tracking back, using her stick defensively, and competing below the goal line. If she can become more reliable in those areas while keeping her speed and offensive ability, she can develop into a more complete forward who can be trusted in all situations. Grade: B+
Palmer Prosser #57 (MN Jr. Whitecaps U16, F, 2030) : Prosser is a quick, hard-working forward who plays with good pace and keeps her feet moving throughout the game. She handles the puck well while skating at speed and uses small changes of direction to create space for herself. She also works hard to get to loose pucks, especially along the boards and below the goal line, and continues to compete even after a turnover. In transition, she does a good job reading pressure and finding open ice instead of forcing the puck into traffic. Her work rate is one of the strongest parts of her game, as she consistently works on the forecheck, helps during breakouts, and tracks back defensively. She can make an impact even when she is not scoring because of how much effort she brings to each shift. The biggest area she needs to improve is becoming more of a scoring threat herself. She needs to develop a quicker, harder shot and become more willing to attack the middle of the ice and get to the net. If she can add more finishing ability to her speed, work ethic, and puck skills, she can become a much more complete and dangerous forward. Grade: B+
Zoe Neurer #54 (MN Jr. Whitecaps U16, F, 2030) : Neurer is a quick winger who uses her speed to create offense and attack defenders off the rush. She does a good job building speed through the neutral zone and driving wide, forcing defenders to turn and back up. She does not always stay along the outside, as she is willing to cut toward the middle and attack more dangerous areas of the ice. This allows her to create better scoring chances for herself instead of getting stuck along the boards. Her shot is also a strength, as she can get it off quickly while moving and does not need much time to set up. She showed good accuracy on a rush chance, beating the goalie to the far side with a quick shot through the defender. Her speed and ability to shoot in stride are the biggest strengths in her game. The biggest question is what she can bring when the rush is taken away. She needs to show more in the offensive zone when play slows down, including winning pucks, creating chances around the net, and contributing defensively. If she can add more to her game away from the rush, she will be much harder to defend as she moves to higher levels where there is less open ice. Grade: B
Nepean Wildcats
Daniela Tornberg #75 (Nepean Wildcats U18 AA, G, 2028) : Tornberg is an athletic, positionally sound goaltender who does a good job using her size and positioning to make saves. She gets square to the puck early and stays big in the crease, taking away a lot of the net and making shooters work to find space. She moves well side to side and does a good job staying balanced while getting across the crease. Instead of reaching for pucks, she usually gets her body in front of the shot, which helps her make saves look controlled. She faced a very heavy workload in this game, with roughly 80 to 90 shots it seemed, and continued to stay composed as the game went on. Her positioning allowed her to make many saves without having to make desperate movements or guess where the puck was going. The biggest area she needs to improve is her rebound control. Too many shots were bouncing off her pads or chest and back into the middle of the ice, giving opponents extra chances. Cleaning up those rebounds and directing more pucks to safe areas will be important against better teams that are ready to attack the net. If she can improve that part of her game while keeping her strong positioning and movement, she has a good foundation to continue developing as a goaltender. Grade: B+
Claire Streek #5 (Nepean Wildcats U18 AA, F, 2027) : Streek is a 200-foot forward whose passing is the standout tool driving her game. Her passes carry both power and accuracy, giving her the ability to hit teammates in stride and through pressure rather than settling for safe, soft feeds. She uses that passing to stretch the ice east to west, forcing defenders to respect the width of the rink and opening seams that a more one-dimensional passer wouldn’t be able to access. Away from the puck, she returns hard back through the middle, showing a defensive conscientiousness and willingness to track the play through the heart of the ice rather than cheating for offense or taking shortcuts on the backcheck. Grade: B
Mckenna Hammell #13 (Nepean Wildcats U18 AA, D, 2029) : Hammell is a strong, competitive forward who plays with an edge and does a good job creating offense with her skating. She has powerful strides and can gain ground quickly through the neutral zone, allowing her to attack with speed and carry the puck into the offensive zone. Her feet stay active, and she uses changes of direction and speed to create space instead of waiting for defenders to give it to her. She is also willing to play physically, finishing checks and competing hard along the boards and on puck retrievals. She does not shy away from contact and is willing to take a hit to make a play. Her skating allows her to attack the middle of the ice and get pucks toward the net instead of staying on the outside. The biggest area she needs to improve is her passing and ability to play with her linemates. Right now, she often looks to create plays on her own or take the shot rather than looking for a teammate in a better position. Grade: B
Isabelle Currier #21 (Nepean Wildcats U18 AA, F, 2027) : Currier is a competitive, gritty forward who plays with an edge that shows up every time the puck is contested. She battles hard for pucks, unwilling to concede loose-puck races or board battles without a fight, and that compete level is a consistent thread through her game rather than something that shows up only in flashes. Her hockey IQ complements that grit — she understands how to create space for herself and reads the ice well enough to become a reliable option for teammates, finding soft areas and making herself available rather than disappearing when she doesn’t have the puck. Her competitiveness ensures she gets to pucks and contested areas, while the IQ ensures she’s doing something useful once she’s there. Grade: B
Lily Bellefeuille #84 (Nepean Wildcats U18 AA, D, 2028) : Bellefeuille is a smart, reliable defensive player who does a good job breaking up plays and making things difficult for opponents. She uses her stick well in the defensive zone to take away passing lanes, knock pucks away, and disrupt plays around the net. She does a good job reading the game and often recognizes where the puck is going before the play develops. She also does a good job steering attackers toward the boards and staying in good position instead of chasing the puck. Along the boards and in the corners, she competes hard and stays with plays through contact. Her defensive awareness, positioning, and effort are some of the strongest parts of her game. The biggest area she needs to improve is her offensive game after winning the puck. She needs to show more confidence moving the puck up ice, joining the rush, and helping create offense instead of simply making the defensive play and stopping there. If she can add more to her offensive game while keeping her strong defensive habits, she can become a much more complete player and have a bigger impact at higher levels. Grade: B
New Jersey Colonials
Lucy Rozzi #6 (NJ Colonials U16, G, 2028) : Rozzi is a competitive goaltender who stayed focused and continued to battle despite facing a very difficult game in front of her. She moves well side to side and has a strong push across the crease, allowing her to get square to plays and stay with second and third chances. Her glove is also active, and she does a good job reading plays through the middle and taking away passing options for one-timers. Against ECW, she faced a heavy workload while her team managed only eight shots on the other goalie, giving her very little help offensively. Although she gave up eight goals, many of the chances against came from extended pressure and quality opportunities in front of her. She continued to compete and gave her team a chance to stay in the game even as the pressure built. The biggest area she needs to improve is becoming more involved when she has the opportunity to help her defense. She can help relieve pressure by handling the puck behind the net and directing rebounds into safer areas instead of leaving loose pucks in front. If she can add that part of her game while keeping her strong movement, compete level, and tracking, she can become a more complete goaltender. Grade: B+
Tessa Newberg #14 (NJ Colonials U16, F, 2029) : Newberg is a strong, physical center who uses her size well in battles and at the faceoff dot. She consistently wins draws and does a good job protecting the puck along the boards and around the net. The next step is adding more offense after winning possession. She needs to attack the middle, create chances, and become more involved with the puck. Grade: B
Taylor Ahrens #21 (NJ Colonials U16, D, 2029) : Ahrens is a strong, physical defensive player who does a good job winning battles along the boards and stopping plays. She uses her body well to pin opponents and keep them from continuing the cycle. She also does a good job holding her position and making it difficult for opponents to get through her. When she has the puck, she can use quick turns and changes of direction to escape pressure and get away from defenders. Her strength and ability to compete in tight areas are clear strengths. The next step is becoming better at moving the puck after winning those battles. She needs to turn those defensive stops into clean passes and breakouts instead of simply stopping the play. If she can improve that part of her game, she can become a more complete and reliable defensive player. Grade: B
Taylor Ahrens #21 (NJ Colonials U16, D, 2029) : Ahrens is a strong, physical defensive player who does a good job winning battles along the boards and stopping plays. She uses her body well to pin opponents and keep them from continuing the cycle. She also does a good job holding her position and making it difficult for opponents to get through her. When she has the puck, she can use quick turns and changes of direction to escape pressure and get away from defenders. Her strength and ability to compete in tight areas are clear strengths. The next step is becoming better at moving the puck after winning those battles. She needs to turn those defensive stops into clean passes and breakouts instead of simply stopping the play. If she can improve that part of her game, she can become a more complete and reliable defensive player. Grade: B
North York Storm
Kaylee Wang #6 (North York Storm U18 AA, D, 2028) : Wang is a calm, skilled defenseman who moves the puck well and makes quick decisions with it. She keeps her head up at the blue line and does a good job moving along the line to find passing and shooting lanes. She makes accurate outlet passes and usually gets the puck moving quickly instead of holding onto it too long. She reads pressure well and often gets the puck out before defenders can close in. Her puck-moving ability is the strongest part of her game. The next step is showing more defensively, especially against the rush, in gap control, and around her own net. If she can become more reliable defensively while keeping her strong puck skills, she can become a more complete defenseman. Grade: B
Avery MacIsaac #9 (North York Storm U18 AA, D, 2029) : MacIsaac is a strong, competitive forward who plays a simple, direct game and makes quick decisions with the puck. She does a good job moving the puck before pressure arrives and keeps the play moving forward. She competes hard along the boards, finishes checks, and uses her body well to win loose pucks and extend possessions. She is also willing to play through contact and battle in the harder areas of the ice. Her compete level and physical game give her a good foundation as a reliable forward. The next step is adding more skill and offense to her game. She needs to become more comfortable holding onto the puck under pressure, beating defenders, and creating plays on her own. If she can add that offensive element, she can become more than just a supporting player. Grade: B
Sabrina Triantafillou #44 (North York Storm U18 AA, F, 2030) : Triantafillou is a skilled, quick forward who plays with good pace and handles the puck well while moving. She makes quick decisions and does not hold onto the puck long enough for defenders to close in. Her hands work well with her feet, allowing her to carry the puck through traffic and change direction while keeping possession. She does a good job pushing the pace of the game and can create time and space for her teammates. Her speed and puck skills are the biggest strengths in her game. The biggest area she needs to improve is her play without the puck. She needs to show more consistency in the defensive zone, along the boards, and when competing for loose pucks. If she can become more reliable defensively while keeping her offensive pace and skill, she can become a more complete forward. Grade: B
Eleanor Barter #56 (North York Storm U18 AA, D, 2028) : Barter is a tall, long defender who does a good job using her reach and positioning to defend and move the puck. She makes quick decisions and usually knows where she wants to go with the puck before it gets to her. Along the boards, she uses her size and reach to protect the puck, escape pressure, and find an open teammate. Defensively, she stays patient and does a good job keeping herself between the puck and the net. Her stick is also effective at breaking up passes and knocking pucks away. The biggest areas she needs to improve are her strength and skating pace. Faster and stronger players will put more pressure on her, so she needs to get stronger in battles and improve her foot speed. If she can add those areas while keeping her size, reach, and puck-moving ability, she can become a more reliable defenseman. Grade: B
Ryleigh Horner (North York Storm U18 AA, F, 2028) : Horner is an offensive-minded forward who does a good job getting to the middle of the ice and creating chances around the net. She finds open space between defenders and does a good job making herself available when the puck is along the boards or behind the net. She attacks the back post and gets to the net on rushes, which puts her in good position for rebounds and passes across the ice. She scored in this viewing by getting to one of those dangerous areas at the right time. She also competes hard for loose pucks around the net and gets shots off quickly when chances come to her. Her ability to get to the net without the puck is the biggest strength in her game. The next step is showing more away from the net, including carrying the puck, making plays along the boards, and contributing defensively. If she can add those parts of her game, she will be harder for stronger teams to defend. Grade: B
Mady Hanley #13 (North York Storm U18 AA, G, 2027) : Hanley is a quick, agile goaltender who plays bigger than her size. She does a good job staying on her feet against longer shots and does not automatically drop into the butterfly, instead choosing her save selection based on the shot. Her skating is a major strength, with excellent movement in all directions and the ability to get across the crease quickly. She also handles the puck well and can help her defense start the breakout. Her quick glove and ability to absorb shots are strong parts of her game. She shows good control and athleticism in the crease and has the tools to be an effective goaltender as the competition gets stronger. Grade: B
Northern Elite Gold
Danica Waldorf #2 (Northern Elite Green, D, 2028) : Waldorf is a cerebral, puck-moving defender whose vision and defensive footwork make her a well-rounded presence on the back end. Her footwork and transitions are a real asset, allowing her to gap up efficiently and force attackers wide rather than letting them cut to the middle, taking away the inside lane before it becomes a problem. She’s poised with the puck once she has it, staying composed under forecheck pressure and relieving that pressure by moving it to the other side of the ice rather than panicking or chipping it away blindly. Her passing vision is a standout tool — she sees the ice well and delivers accurate outlets that turn defensive-zone pressure into a clean transition the other way, a skill that’s especially valuable given how often teams try to trap defenders under sustained forechecks. With no formal attribute ratings submitted and the notes emphasizing hockey IQ, passing, and defense, the picture here points to a defender whose processing and skating mechanics are both ahead of the curve, even without further documentation on her competitiveness or physical play. The gapping, wide-forcing, and pressure-relieving passing all speak to a defender who plays a mature, low-event game built on reads rather than recovery. Her projection is strong on the strength of these traits alone — if her skating holds up under faster forecheck pressure at higher levels, the poise and vision already on display give her the foundation of a legitimate two-way, puck-moving defender. Grade: B+
Campbell Reierson #6 (Northern Elite Green, D, 2029) : Reierson is a fast, offensively capable defender whose skating is the first tool that separates her from her peers. She’s a quick skater, giving her the speed to close gaps, join rushes, and recover positionally in a way that slower defenders simply can’t replicate. That speed is paired with a strong, accurate shot from the back end, giving her a real weapon when she activates into the offense rather than just a body at the point. Away from the puck, she shows good awareness of both teammates and opponents, tracking the positioning of players around her rather than puck-watching, and she stays disciplined between the dots — holding the middle of the ice defensively rather than getting pulled to either side by movement away from the puck. The speed, shot, and defensive-zone discipline already on display give her real upside as a two-way, offense-capable defender, with the full picture depending on how her puck skills and physical game round out at higher levels of competition. Grade: B
Kinsley Summers #13 (Northern Elite Green, F, 2029) : Summers is a high-motor forward who attacks hard and reads the game with real sophistication. She plays an aggressive, direct style, forcing the issue on the forecheck and using her stick to direct puck carriers into predictable, disadvantageous spots rather than chasing the play without purpose. That aggression is paired with intelligence in how she deploys it — she’s smart with the changes in her own pace, understanding when to press and when to pull back, which keeps her effective rather than just relentless. Her vision stands out as well, seeing the ice and developing plays before they fully materialize, giving her the ability to anticipate rather than simply react to what’s already happened. That combination of a high-compete engine and genuine hockey sense is a valuable pairing — the competitiveness ensures she’s always around the puck, while the IQ ensures her aggression is purposeful rather than wasted energy. Grade: B-
Lydia Fylling #4 (Northern Elite Green, D, 2029) : Fylling is a powerful, mechanically sound skater whose stride is the foundation of her game on the back end. Her skating mechanics are clean and efficient, giving her the kind of powerful stride that lets her win races, close gaps, and fight through contact without losing pace — the technical building blocks are evidently there. That mobility shows up in the offensive zone as well, where she’s in constant movement rather than settling into a stationary role at the point, using her skating to find better shooting and passing lanes and keep the defense guessing about where she’ll be next. She also uses her stick to her advantage, disrupting plays and creating turnovers with active stick positioning rather than relying on size or pure physicality. Grade: B-
Oakville Hornets
Chloe Sturino #11 (Oakville Hornets U18 AA, D, 2028) : Sturino is a strong, powerful skater who uses her speed and strength to attack with the puck. She builds speed quickly through the neutral zone and does a good job pushing defenders back on the rush. She is also difficult to knock off the puck and does a good job protecting it along the boards and through contact. She is most comfortable attacking down the outside, but she relies on that too often and does not get to the middle enough. The next step is becoming more willing to cut inside and attack the slot. If she can use her speed and strength to get to more dangerous areas instead of staying on the outside, she can create better scoring chances and become a more dangerous offensive player. Grade: B
Megan Poshni #96 (Oakville Hornets U18 AA, F, 2027) : Poshni is a strong, well-built forward who does a good job staying balanced and competing through contact. She holds her ground along the boards and can protect the puck to keep plays alive. She also sees the ice well and usually makes good decisions with the puck, finding teammates instead of forcing plays into traffic. Her passing is accurate and allows her linemates to keep moving without slowing down. She has good tools to work with, but the next step is becoming more consistent and adding more speed. She needs to develop a better first step and more separation speed so she can win races to loose pucks and create more space off the rush. If she can add that speed to her strength and passing ability, she can become a more effective offensive player. Grade: B
Ottawa Senators
Belle Goodwin #30 (Ottawa Senators U18 AA, G, 2027) : Goodwin is an athletic, competitive goaltender who stays calm even when facing a lot of pressure. She tracks the puck well through traffic and does a good job staying square to shots instead of guessing where they are going. She moves well from side to side and showed strong quickness on passes across the crease, making several big saves to cover the far post. She also showed good patience on breakaways and close-in chances, staying with the shooter and getting a pad on the puck. Even when her team was under heavy pressure, she stayed composed and continued to battle for every save. She also did a good job attacking loose pucks and trying to stop second chances. The biggest area she needs to improve is controlling her rebounds, as too many saves came back into the middle of the ice and created extra chances. If she can direct more rebounds to safe areas while keeping her athleticism and strong movement, she can become a much more complete goaltender. Grade: B+
Peyton Deshaw #8 (Ottawa Senators U18 AA, D, 2029) : Deshaw is a competitive, physical defender who does a good job winning battles and protecting the middle of the ice. She works hard in the corners and uses her body well to win pucks through contact. She also does a good job staying between the puck and the net instead of chasing plays out of position. Her defensive awareness is a strength, as she recognizes when she needs to help her partner and uses her body to take away dangerous areas. She defends with her feet and positioning rather than reaching with her stick, which shows good hockey sense. The next step is becoming more comfortable with the puck. She needs to make clean first passes under pressure and show more ability to move the puck up ice and join the attack. If she can add that part of her game, she can become a more complete defenseman. Grade: B
Samantha Lewis #16 (Ottawa Senators U18 AA, F, 2027) : Lewis is a smart, hard-working defensive player who stands out with her penalty killing and active stick. She is willing to block shots, gets into shooting lanes early, and does a good job taking away options before plays develop. She also reads the ice well and can recognize mistakes quickly, which helped lead to a goal against CF after she forced a turnover. Her defensive game is built around effort, anticipation, and winning pucks through pressure. The biggest area she needs to improve is creating offense on her own. Right now, most of her offense comes from turnovers she forces rather than creating chances through the rush or with the puck. If she can become more comfortable carrying the puck, making plays, and creating scoring chances without relying on mistakes, she can become a more complete player. Grade: B
Sadie Clark #22 (Ottawa Senators U18 AA, F, 2029) : Clark is a small, quick forward who plays with good speed and is at her best attacking off the rush. She has a quick first step and does a good job using her speed to get around defenders and drive toward the net. She handles the puck well while moving and can carry it through the neutral zone to create clean entries for her line. Her puck skills and speed allow her to create space and start offensive zone possession. Her size can be a challenge along the boards and around the net, where stronger defenders can move her off the puck. Her shot is also an area that needs improvement, as she does not generate enough power to consistently beat goalies from distance. She needs to get stronger through her core and lower body to add power to her shot and become harder to move off the puck. If she can add strength while keeping her speed and puck skills, she can become a more dangerous offensive player. Grade: B
Brooke Duggan #85 (Ottawa Senators U18 AA, F, 2028) : Duggan is a small, strong forward who plays through contact and is dangerous off the rush. She showed good patience on a breakaway, pulling the puck from forehand to backhand and waiting out the goalie before finishing inside the post. She has a low, strong skating base and does a good job staying on her feet when defenders make contact. She also protects the puck well by using her body and keeping it away from defenders. Her compete level is a strength, as she continues to battle for pucks even when bigger players challenge her. The next step is showing she can create offense when there is less open ice. She needs to become more effective along the boards, make plays under pressure, and contribute more defensively. If she can add those parts of her game, her speed and strength can make her a much more complete forward. Grade: B
Philadelphia Jr. Flyers
Aurora Benz #12 (Philadelphia Jr. Flyers U16, D, 2030) : Benz is a quick, mobile skater who moves around the ice well and uses her edges to change direction and escape pressure. She can move forward to backward smoothly and pivot in tight areas without losing much speed. Defensively, she does a good job keeping her head up and looking for players away from the puck instead of only watching the puck carrier. Her skating allows her to close gaps, recover when plays break down, and get back into good defensive position. The biggest weakness in her game right now is her strength. She can get pushed off the puck along the boards and has trouble staying strong through battles. Her lack of strength also affects her passing and shooting, as she does not get enough power behind either one. She will need to get stronger through her core and lower body so she can hold her position, win more puck battles, and put more power into her passes and shots. If she can add that strength while keeping her skating and defensive awareness, she can become a much more complete player. Grade: B+
Alexandra Maloy #19 (Philadelphia Jr. Flyers U16, D, 2029) : Maloy is a tall, smooth-skating defenseman who uses her size, reach, and skating to make plays all over the ice. She moves well in all directions and has a long, easy stride that allows her to cover a lot of ice without wasting movement. She is comfortable joining the offense and does a good job moving down the wall or getting involved below the goal line to create plays. She stays calm with the puck under pressure and is willing to hold onto it for an extra second to let a better passing option open up. Her decisions with the puck are generally good, and she does a nice job knowing when to join the rush and when to stay back. Defensively, her long reach and active stick allow her to take away space and make it difficult for opponents to get around her. The biggest area she needs to improve is becoming stronger and more physical, especially around the net and along the boards. Right now, she relies more on her stick than her body, and stronger forwards can sometimes get inside position on her. If she can become more physical and better use her size to win battles and clear players from the net, she can become a much more complete defenseman. Grade: B+
Reagan Yeager #21 (Philadelphia Jr. Flyers U16, F, 2029) : Yeager is a mobile, smart forward who moves well and does a good job staying involved without chasing the play. She has good lateral movement and can change direction quickly while keeping her speed, which helps her find open space and give teammates an option. On the forecheck, she is patient and does a good job staying above the puck instead of jumping into every battle. This puts her in a good position to pick up loose pucks when a teammate wins the first battle. She also does a good job looking around the ice and tracking other players instead of just watching the puck. Her ability to read the play and stay in the right position makes her a reliable supporting player. The biggest area she needs to improve is becoming more involved when she actually has a chance to win the puck. At times, her patience can turn into being too passive, and she needs to attack more, win pucks herself, and create plays instead of always waiting for them to come to her. If she can add more offense and puck involvement to her strong skating and hockey sense, she can become more than just a supporting forward. Grade: B
Bella Kasper #77 (Philadelphia Jr. Flyers U16, F, 2030) : Kasper is a quick, smart forward who does a good job finding open space and getting herself into scoring areas. She reads the play well and showed good timing by getting to the back post at the right time for a one-timer goal. She has quick feet in tight areas and can change direction quickly to find open lanes before defenders can react. Her shot is also a strength, as she can get it off quickly without needing to stop or settle the puck first. A lot of her offensive value right now comes from how well she moves without the puck and gets herself into good scoring positions. The biggest area she needs to improve is creating more offense with the puck on her stick. She needs to show she can carry the puck up the ice, create chances off the rush, and win pucks back on her own. If she can add more puck skills and playmaking to her ability to find open space, she can become a much more complete offensive player. Grade: B
Olivia Hamilton #87 (Philadelphia Jr. Flyers U16, F/D, 2028) : Hamilton is a physical, strong defenseman who does a good job using her body to defend. She is willing to challenge players at the blue line instead of backing in, using her feet and body to force attackers wide or make them dump the puck. Around her own net, she does a good job protecting the goalie by tying up sticks, moving players out of the crease, and keeping opponents from getting inside position. She also competes hard along the boards and does a good job using her body to win battles and keep opponents away from the puck. She is not afraid of contact and will continue to battle even when the same player comes back for another puck. The biggest area she needs to improve is moving the puck after winning it. Too often, she makes a safe play or rims the puck instead of finding a clean first pass to start the breakout. As the pace gets faster, she will need to make quicker and more accurate passes under pressure. If she can improve her puck movement while keeping her strong defensive game, she can become a much more complete defenseman. Grade: B
Pittsburgh Penguins Elite
Mia Grasser #98 (Pittsburgh Penguins Elite U16, F, 2029) : Grasser is a smaller, skilled forward who plays with her head up and does a good job making smart decisions with the puck. She is a solid skater with good balance and clean turns, although she does not have great straight-line speed and relies more on finding the right lane than simply skating past defenders. She is comfortable under pressure and usually finds a good option to keep the puck moving instead of forcing a bad play. She also showed some creativity, including a play where she lifted the puck over a defender’s stick and attacked the inside. Along the boards, she does a good job protecting the puck and finding ways to get it back toward the middle. Her shot has good power and can be a real weapon when she has time to use it. The biggest area she needs to improve is getting her shot off quicker. She takes too much time to load up, which will give better defenders time to close her down and goalies time to get set. If she can shorten her release and learn to shoot more quickly while moving, she can become a much more dangerous offensive player. Grade: B+
Maria Zerr #60 (Pittsburgh Penguins Elite U16, G, 2029) : Zerr is a competitive goaltender who works hard to stay with the play and battle through traffic. She has a quick, reliable glove and does a good job catching pucks cleanly instead of leaving them in dangerous areas. She competes hard on rebounds and second chances, using her quickness to get back across the crease and make saves even after the first stop takes her out of position. She does not give up on plays and will battle to get a pad, blocker, or body on loose pucks. Her compete level is one of the strongest parts of her game and allows her to make saves even when things break down in front of her. The biggest area she needs to improve is rebound control. Too many shots are coming back into the middle of the ice, which forces her to make difficult second saves that could be avoided with better rebound placement. If she can direct more pucks to safe areas while keeping her strong compete level and glove, she can become a more consistent goaltender. Grade: B
Maggie Flickinger #57 (Pittsburgh Penguins Elite U16, D, 2029) : Flickinger is a smart, defensive-minded player who does a good job staying in position and making it difficult for opponents to create plays. She stays low and balanced, which helps her move quickly and take away passing lanes through the middle of the ice. Her stick is one of her biggest strengths, as she uses it to block passing lanes and knock pucks away without reaching or getting herself out of position. She also does a good job closing the gap early when players enter the zone, forcing them wide or making them give up the puck. Her defensive habits are consistent and show up throughout the game rather than only on a few plays. The biggest area she needs to improve is her offensive game. She needs to show more confidence carrying the puck, making plays under pressure, and joining the attack. If she can add more offense and puck movement while keeping her strong defensive habits, she can become a much more complete player. Grade: B
Jordyn Litz #6 (Pittsburgh Penguins Elite U16, D, 2028) : Litz is a reliable defensive player who does a good job staying in position and making it difficult for opponents to attack. She stays low and balanced when defending the rush and keeps her feet moving so she can stay in front of attackers without reaching or getting out of position. She does a good job closing the gap early and challenging players before they can build up speed through the neutral zone. Her stick work is one of the strongest parts of her game, as she uses it to take away passing lanes and break up plays through the middle. She reads the play well and often stops attacks with good positioning instead of having to chase the puck. The biggest area she needs to improve is what she does after winning the puck. She needs to become more comfortable retrieving pucks under pressure, escaping the first forechecker, and making a clean first pass to start the breakout. If she can add more puck-moving ability while keeping her strong defensive game, she can become a much more complete defenseman. Grade: B
Sydney Vilscek #51 (Pittsburgh Penguins Elite U16, F, 2029) : Vilscek is a skilled forward with good hands who handles the puck well while moving at speed. She makes small adjustments through traffic without slowing down and does a good job protecting the puck when defenders close in. Once she gets moving, she can build good speed and push defenders back through the neutral zone. Her shot is one of the biggest strengths in her game. She showed this on a 2-on-1 by carrying the puck wide, keeping the goalie guessing with her eyes, and beating her to the far side with a quick shot. She is also willing to shoot when she has an opening instead of always looking to pass, which makes her more difficult to defend. The biggest area she needs to improve is her first few steps. She takes some time to get up to top speed, which can hurt her when racing for loose pucks, trying to separate from defenders, or getting back on defense. If she can improve her acceleration while keeping her strong puck skills and shooting ability, she can become a much more dangerous forward at higher levels. Grade: B
Makayla Wolfe #26 (Pittsburgh Penguins Elite U16, F, 2029) : Wolfe is a mobile, skating-focused forward who uses her feet to create space and protect the puck. She does a good job changing direction along the boards and keeping her body between the defender and the puck instead of getting stuck in one spot. She is also good at winning pucks along the wall and pulling them into open ice, and she can do this on her backhand, which gives her more options when defenders pressure her. In open ice, she has good straight-line speed and can use it to get around defenders and push the play into the offensive zone. Her skating is the biggest strength in her game and helps her both escape pressure and create clean entries. The biggest area she needs to improve is finishing plays once she creates that space. She needs to develop a more consistent shot and become more willing to attack the middle of the ice instead of simply using her speed to keep possession. If she can add more scoring ability to her strong skating and puck protection, she can become a much more dangerous offensive forward. Grade: B
Ellie Maksim #2 (Pittsburgh Penguins Elite U16, F, 2029) : Maksim is a big, fast forward who is dangerous when she gets moving through the neutral zone. She uses her long strides to build speed and can force defenders to back up instead of standing her up at the blue line. She also does a good job using head and shoulder fakes and changes of speed to make defenders move before she attacks around them. Her size helps her protect the puck through contact, and she is difficult to knock off the puck once she gets going. The combination of her size and speed makes her a strong threat off the rush and forces defenders to give her extra attention. The biggest area she needs to improve is creating offense when the rush is not there. She needs to show more ability to protect the puck along the boards, make plays below the goal line, and use her size to get to the front of the net instead of staying on the outside. If she can add more to her game in those areas, she can become a much more complete offensive forward. Grade: B-
Mia Banaszak #76 (Pittsburgh Penguins Elite U16, F, 2029) : Banaszak is a tall, strong forward who uses her size and reach well to win puck battles and create chances around the net. She does a good job protecting the puck along the boards and on the rush, using her long reach to keep defenders away while waiting for a good play to develop. She works hard in the corners and is willing to battle through contact to get the puck toward the net. Once she gets there, she is difficult to move and does a good job using her body to protect the puck. Her size also gives her an advantage in battles because she can reach around defenders and keep possession while waiting for support. The biggest area she needs to improve is her skating. She takes too long to build speed and does not create much separation from defenders, which can make it difficult for her to get through the neutral zone or create chances off the rush. If she can improve her first few steps and overall skating speed, she can make much better use of her size, strength, and puck protection to become a more complete offensive forward. Grade: B-
Rochester Jr. Americans
Serifina DiNicola #27 (Rochester Jr Americans U16, D/F, 2028) : DiNicola is a speedy forward who can drive play off the rush and create scoring chances by beating defenders wide. She has good hands and can handle the puck when pressured. She sees the ice well and can find opportunities to use her speed to open up play in the neutral zone. Grade: B
Evelyn McNally #19 (Rochester Jr Americans U16, F, 2028) : McNally brought a strong pace and tempo to her game as she worked hard on the forecheck in puck pursuit. She sees the ice well and is able to find opportunities to jump into space or support the puck by creating a better option for her teammates. She has good offensive awareness and can keep play alive in the zone with puck possession and hard work along the boards. Grade: B
Katelyn Pensabene #51 (Rochester Jr Americans U16, G, 2029) : Pensabene has solid foundational skills and can move well in net. Her lateral movement from post to post is strong and she maintains control of her movements as she comes across her crease. She stayed compact and tracked the puck well in her zone, squaring and challenging shooters. She battled in scrums at the net-front and showed good reflexes. Grade: B
St. Louis Blues
Lilli Christiansen #90 (St. Louis Lady Blues U19, D, 2028) : Christiansen is a smart, reliable defenseman who does a good job staying in position and making it difficult for opponents to create plays. She closes on puck carriers quickly and keeps a tight gap, forcing players to the outside instead of giving them room to attack through the middle. In her own zone, she is willing to block shots and does a good job reading passing lanes to break up plays. When she wins the puck, she can make a smart play to get it moving the other way instead of simply throwing it away. She also showed good composure under pressure, including a shift where she helped kill almost half a penalty by protecting the puck along the boards and keeping possession. Her defensive game is consistent and she does not have an obvious weakness in that area. The biggest area she needs to improve is her offensive game and ability to create more in transition. She needs to show more confidence joining the rush, getting shots through from the point, and making plays with the puck after winning it. If she can add more offense while keeping her strong defensive habits, she can become a much more complete defenseman. Grade: B
Ella Kleszczewski #36 (St. Louis Lady Blues U16, F, 2028) : Kleszczewski is a smart forward who does a good job finding open space and getting herself into dangerous areas without the puck. She reads the play well and moves into open lanes instead of standing still and waiting for the puck to come to her. Around the net, she has good hand-eye coordination and does a nice job getting her stick on shots to create tips and deflections. She also times her movement well, getting to the front of the net just as the puck is being shot. Her ability to find open space and compete around the net gives her a reliable way to create scoring chances without needing the puck on her stick. The biggest area she needs to improve is becoming more involved with the puck. She needs to show more ability to carry the puck, make plays under pressure, and create offense on her own instead of relying mainly on teammates to set her up. If she can add more puck skill to her strong off-puck game and net presence, she can become a much more complete offensive player. Grade: B
Sydney Talley #87 (St. Louis Lady Blues U16, F, 2028) : Talley is a quick forward who uses her speed to create chances off the rush. Once she has open ice, she gets up to speed quickly and can be difficult for defenders to catch. Early in the game, she used her speed to beat the Boston Jr. defense and create a clean breakaway. She does a good job reading the space between defenders and finding ways to get behind them instead of skating directly into coverage. Her speed is clearly the biggest strength in her game and gives her a way to create scoring chances when there is room to attack. The biggest area she needs to improve is creating offense when the game slows down. She needs to show more ability to win pucks along the boards, make plays below the goal line, and create chances around the net when defenders take away her rush lanes. If she can add more to her game in those areas, she can become a much more complete offensive player rather than relying mostly on open ice and speed. Grade: B-
Sophia Tomaras #31 (St. Louis Lady Blues U16, G, 2029) : Tomaras is a technically sound, positionally disciplined goaltender who plays a calm and controlled game. She tracks the puck well through traffic and does a good job finding it after the first shot before getting ready for the next play. Her movements are clean and under control, as she stays square to the puck and gets down and back up without making unnecessary movements. She also does a good job controlling rebounds by directing pucks toward the corners and covering anything she cannot safely control. She communicates well with her defense and helps them know where pressure is coming from, which keeps the team organized in front of her. The biggest area she needs to improve is becoming more aggressive in her crease and with the puck. She tends to stay deep in her net rather than challenging shooters, and she could also do more to help her defense by playing the puck behind the net. If she can become more confident coming out to cut down angles and handling the puck, she can make life easier for her defense and become a more complete goaltender. Grade: B
Summer Vitale #46 (St. Louis Lady Blues U19, F, 2029) : Vitale is a big, strong forward who plays a physical, straight-ahead game and uses her size well. She builds speed through the neutral zone and becomes difficult to handle once she gets moving. She showed this on a hustle goal where she beat a defender to a loose puck at the offensive blue line and finished the chance. She also works very hard on the backcheck, using her size and effort to close on opponents and break up plays before they reach her defensive zone. Along the boards and in traffic, she does a good job using her body to protect the puck and hold off defenders until help arrives. Her compete level is one of her biggest strengths, as she consistently chases loose pucks and works hard every shift. The biggest area she needs to improve is her first few steps. She takes time to get up to full speed, which can make it harder for her to win short races, get around defenders quickly, or recover when plays change direction. If she can improve her acceleration while keeping her strength and work ethic, she can become a much more effective forward at higher levels. Grade: B
Brianna Blyth #17 (St. Louis Lady Blues U16, F, 2029) : Blyth is a hard-working, high-energy forward who keeps her feet moving and competes hard every shift. She plays with good pace and does a nice job getting to loose pucks early and putting pressure on defenders. She works hard on both the forecheck and backcheck and does a good job supporting her teammates instead of waiting for the puck to come to her. With the puck, she keeps things simple and usually makes the safe play, finding an open teammate or getting the puck to a safe area when under pressure. Her work ethic and reliable habits make her a player coaches can trust in all three zones. The biggest area she needs to improve is her ability to create offense on her own. She needs to become more comfortable beating defenders, holding onto the puck under pressure, and attacking the middle of the ice instead of relying mostly on her speed and effort. If she can add more puck skill and offensive creativity to her strong work ethic, she can become a much more complete forward. Grade: B-
Stoney Creek Sabres
Madeline Weir #18 (Stoney Creek Sabres U18 AA, G, 2027) : Weir is an athletic, competitive goaltender who stays calm and works hard through traffic. She tracks pucks well through screens and does a good job staying square to shots. Her rebound control is a strength, as she does a good job covering pucks and directing rebounds to safe areas. She is patient in the crease and does not overcommit, letting shooters make the first move. She is also confident handling the puck and can help her defense get out of pressure quickly. The next step is becoming more consistent with her post play and side-to-side movement. She can be a little late getting across on backdoor plays and needs to arrive square to the puck. If she can clean that up, she can become a more complete goaltender. Grade: B+
Mika McCoubrey #16 (Stoney Creek Sabres U18 AA, F, 2029) : Mccoubrey is a well-rounded two-way forward who works hard at both ends of the ice. She has a strong, quick release and does a good job getting shots off before the goalie has time to get set. After shooting, she follows the puck to the net and looks for rebounds instead of watching the play from the outside. She also does a good job creating chances from behind the net, finding teammates in front and making hard passes through traffic. On the forecheck, she takes good angles and does a nice job forcing defenders into pressure and rushed decisions. She works hard on the backcheck, picks up her player, and uses her body well to challenge players at the blue line. Her ability to compete, read the game, and play in the harder areas of the ice are strong parts of her game. The biggest area she needs to improve is creating more offense off the rush. She needs to become more comfortable carrying the puck through traffic, beating defenders, and creating space for herself with her skating. If she can add more of that to her strong net-front and two-way game, she can become a much more dangerous and complete forward. Grade: B+
Jane Simeon #9 (Stoney Creek Sabres U18 AA, D, 2029) : Simeon is a strong, competitive player who plays a physical game and works hard to win pucks. She reads pressure well in the neutral zone and does a good job moving the puck quickly instead of holding onto it and taking unnecessary contact. She puts good pace on her passes and usually makes smart decisions with the puck. When there is not a good passing option, she does a nice job chipping the puck into a safe area and moving her feet to continue the play. Along the boards, she competes hard and is willing to battle, use her body, and keep working until she comes away with the puck. She also does a good job continuing to compete for second and third chances instead of giving up on a play. The biggest area she needs to improve is creating more offense after winning those battles. She needs to shoot more often and become more willing to attack the middle of the ice instead of immediately moving the puck back to the outside. If she can turn her strong compete level and puck-winning ability into more scoring chances, she can become a much more complete offensive player. Grade: B
Sophia Carile #24 (Stoney Creek Sabres U18 AA, D, 2028) : Carile is a defenseman with a strong shot from the blue line. She gets pucks to the net with good power and a quick release, creating rebounds and chances for her teammates. Her shot is the biggest strength in her game right now. More viewings are needed to evaluate her skating, passing, and defensive play. The next step is showing she can defend the rush, move pucks under pressure, and help start the breakout. If she can add those parts to her game, she can become a more complete defenseman. Grade: B-
Emily King #43 (Stoney Creek Sabres U18 AA, D, 2028) : King is a competitive, physical player who plays with an edge and is not afraid to do the hard work. She battles hard, blocks shots, and does a good job getting into shooting lanes instead of turning away from pucks. She also competes well around the net and along the boards. The biggest area she needs to improve is her puck movement. She sometimes rushes passes or throws the puck away when she has time to make a better play, including icing the puck without much pressure. She needs to slow down, find the simple pass, and make cleaner decisions to help her team get out of the zone. If she can improve that part of her game while keeping her strong compete level, she can become a more reliable player. Grade: B-
Tess Gates #91 (Stoney Creek Sabres U18 AA, D, 2028) : Gates is a physical forward who plays hard around the net. She does a good job getting in front of the goalie, battling through contact, and creating chances off tips and rebounds. She also competes hard along the boards and is willing to finish checks. The next step is showing more away from the net, including carrying the puck, making plays, and defending in her own zone. If she can add those areas, she can become a more complete forward. Grade: B-