International Hockey

U18 Women’s Worlds Preview: Canada vs. United States

w u18  game  preview 960x540 usa

For the first time in Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team history, six members of the same club team are playing together at the IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship

Competing for a roster spot on Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team with
the best players across the country can be a daunting task. But for several
members of Team Canada, they had five of their teammates by their side
during the process.

Avi Adam, Reichen Kirchmair, Sarah MacEachern, Mari Pietersen, Alyssa
Regalado and Mckenna Van Gelder all play with the Etobicoke Dolphins in the
U22 Elite division of the Ontario Women’s Hockey Association (OWHA). Now,
the three forwards, two defenders and one goaltender have traded in their
Dolphins jerseys for the Maple Leaf to represent Canada at the 2022 IIHF
U18 Women’s World Championship.

“It can be scary being away from home and being in a selection camp,” says
Pietersen, 17. “Knowing that I have support of my five teammates that are
here with me, [it] kind of feels like a home away from home.”

This is the first time in Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team history
that there have been six players from the same club team on one roster.
Since 2008, there has been five instances of Team Canada having four
members from one team, mostly recent the Pursuit of Excellence from the
Canadian Sports School Hockey League (CSSHL) in 2018.

“Having the girls here with me today, I feel so supported,” says Van
Gelder, 18. “We all went through the same thing. We can all talk to each
other about it. And it’s just a great thing to have some of your best
friends here with you.”

The chemistry amongst the Dolphins is not limited to this season, either.
Adam, MacEachern,…

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