November has seen over a dozen Canadian players added to the commitment list for the ‘24 and ‘25 seasons. The top 2 Canadian players on the list, Rhyah Stewart and Jessica Mackinnon are a part of the ever-growing number of high-end players to come out of the Maritimes. Both players had represented Team Novia Scotia in the Winter Canada Games. The top US-born player on the list is Ava Thomas who comes from the Eastern Pennsylvania area and represents the continuously strong program of the Philadelphia Jr. Flyers. Congratulations to all players on this month’s list and we look forward to watching you continue to grow the women’s hockey game at the next level.
2024 Starting Year
Rhyah Stewart – G (★★★★1/4) – Commits to University of Wisconsin ‘24
Stewart has been honing her skills for the past two seasons with the Cape Brenton West Islanders boy’s program. While she has split the majority of the starts this season, her numbers have bested her counterpart all season. When not battling for Cape Brenton, Stewart has represented both her Province as a member of Team Atlantic and Team Nova Scotia on the National level and her Country in the World Junior Championships on the International stage. She will now cross the border to Madison, Wisconsin, and become a member of the seven-time National Champion Badgers.
NZ Scouts say: “She is so quick from side to side and up and down and has a really smooth/athletic recovery. Stewart follows the puck with laser focus, reads, and anticipates plays well. She makes her 5’6″ frame big when needed and then quickly gets compact to absorb shots and prevent any rebounds. All tournament long she was smothering pucks and a total calming presence in the cage. Was a large contributing factor in Nova Scotia’s historic Silver Medal finish.”
Jessica MacKinnon – F (★★★★) – Commits to Clarkson University ‘24
Mackinnon is yet another Nova Scotia player to stand out and makes everyone take notice. The Ridley College standout has represented her Province with Team Atlantic and Team Nova Scotia at the National level. And on the International stage donned the Canadian maple leaf at the World Junior Championship. Her next stop will be in New York, where she will put on the green and gold for the three-time National Champion, Golden Knights.
NZ Scouts say: “MacKinnon has speed and tenacity. She hunts pucks and is constantly moving to open space in order to be a passing option. She plays with good pace and showcased some crafty hands and great ideas to be creative with the puck. She is evasive in all areas of the ice and is tough to defend with her shiftiness. ”
Mackenzie Allen – D (★★★1/2) – Commits to Yale University ‘24
Allen comes from the strong Burlington Barracuda program But next season that left-handed defender will be snapping outlet passes in Yale Blue and White for the Bulldogs in front of 3,500 at “The Whale”
NZ Scouts say: “Allen holds the line and stands players up to keep the offensive threat alive. She quickly gets pucks to the net with a solid snapshot and looks for the pass-tip options. Her agility allows her to create space on the regroup and get the offense going with tape-to-tape passes through the neutral zone.”
Hillary Wood – F (★★★) – Commits to University of New Brunswick ‘24
If you are heading down the King George Highway from the Miramichi Bay, you’ll run into Miramichi, the largest city in New Brunswick and the hometown of the 3-star Hillary Wood. Wood has previously represented her Province on the National stage for Team New Brunswick. Next season, she will stay closer to home and continue her playing career for the currently 1st-place, in the Atlantic University Sport conference, UNB Reds.
NZ Scouts say: “Wood is a good offensive player who drives hard to the net with her stick down to tip pucks and draws penalties. She gives each zone her all-out effort. The forward possesses solid puck control and passing skills, making her an asset on the powerplay. ”
Kristen Kiggen – F (★★3/4) – Commits to Long Island University ‘24
Kiggen is currently a member of the Northwood School women’s team, but has previously played on boys teams up to the Bantam age group. When plays for boys team’s, Kiggen played in the prestigious and internationally recognized Quebec Peewee Tournament. The dual citizen of Canada and South Africa defender when head to New York City next season, where she will join the college ranks on the Long Island University squad.
NZ Scouts say: “Kiggen makes smooth passes with her partner in the DZ to create breakout options. She controls the GAP well and steps up into the play when the opportunity presents itself. She evades attackers with good puck protection and makes tape-to-tape passes through the neutral zone.”
Sara Da Silva (G) – Commits to Union College ‘24
Ellie Chou (F) – Commits to University of Ottawa ‘24
Reagan Samson (D) – Commits to University of Ottawa ‘24
Gillian Warren (F) – Commits to University of Ottawa ‘24
Tori Evans (D) – Commits to University of Ottawa ‘24
Brenna Curl (D) – Commits to University of Maine ‘24
Kylie Kerr (F) – Commits to St. Mary’s University ‘24
Danielle Menko (D) – Commits to Wilfrid Laurier University ‘24
2025 Starting Year
Ava Thomas – F (★★★3/4) – Commits to Boston College ‘25
Thomas is a product of the ever-producing Philadelphia Jr. Flyers program. She has spent four seasons with the Flyers and has been a USA Camp invite multiple years as well. She was also a member of her Downing West High School team that went to the Flyers Cup. Thomas consistently produces no matter the color of her jersey. Last season she put up 120 points in 74 games. In two seasons she will look to be ready to take that offensive game to the NCAA level, where she will head to Boston College and join the Eagles.
NZ Scouts say: “A strong skater, Thomas is quick and finds a way to get her stick on the puck. She is a difference-maker. Thomas showcased her great hand-eye coordination, knocking pucks down for redirects or catching aerial passes. She was literally catching passes anywhere, at speed, in any manner possible. She has great footwork to escape, cut/turn, and create space and great wheels in open ice too. She snaps passes tape-to-tape and then moves feet to open ice. Thomas plays with great pace and execution every shift.”
Sienna D’Alessandro – F (★★★1/4) – Commits to University of Minnesota ‘25
D’Alessandro is a 5’7” defender from the Quebec Province. She is currently a member of the John Abbott College team but has represented Quebec, nationally, and Canada on the International stage at the World Junior Championships. She has two more seasons to continue to hone her game before she throws on the Maroon and Gold for the 7-time National Champion Golden Gophers in 2025.
NZ Scouts say: “D’Alessandro is a solid skater with speed who controls and handles the puck to dangle the D and quickly release shots on goal. She always has her head up, looking to find open linemates for a crisp, accurate pass. The good-sized forward does a good job of taking the body to separate the player from the puck. She earns a good net-front presence.”
Kaydence Roeske – G (★★★1/4) – Commits to Minnesota State University ‘25
The young ‘06 netminder puts up solid numbers each season for her River Lakes High School squad. Roeske clearly has a high battle level and strong work ethic to put up those numbers each season. She will have another two seasons to continue to grow her game before she joins the Mavericks in Mankato. Once she is there, maybe she can become the first netminder to lead the Purple and Gold to an NCAA Tournament appearance. She certainly has the potential to do so.
NZ Scouts say: “She was constantly peppered with nearly 50 shots on goal in the first two periods alone, and she held her own. She showed up and played all 60 minutes. For a young goalie she not only has potential but confidence. She finished the year with a .93% save percentage.”
Reanna Loberg (F) – Commits to Union College ‘25
Olivia Aquino (F) – Commits to Union College ‘25
Keira Johnson (D) – Commits to Union College ‘25
Natalie Andelova (F) – Commits to Union College ‘25
Madison Cronan (F) – Commits to Colgate University ‘25