Hockey Canada announced Sunday, August 12 the 22 players that will play for Canada’s National Women’s Under 18 Team in a three (3) game series against the United States’ Women’s Under 18 National Team from August 16-19, 2012 in Blaine, Minnesota.
Among the 22 players named, three (3) BC Players were chosen; Kimberly Newell (Burnaby, BC), Alexa Ranahan (Salmon Arm, BC) and Hannah Miller (North Vancouver, BC).
The 13 forwards, seven (7) defencemen and two (2) goaltenders were chosen following Canada’s National Women’s Under 18 Team selection camp held August 3-11, 2012 at Hockey Canada’s home rink, the WinSport Canada Athletic and Ice Complex, in Calgary.
Newell, goalie, played for the Kootney Ice Midget AAA team in the 2011-2012 season where she recorded a 5.57 goals against average. She also played on Team BC for the 2010 and 2011 National Women’s Under 18 Championship.
Ranahan, defense, played for the Okanagan Hockey Academy in the 2011-2012 season. She was also a member of the 2011 Team BC.
Miller, forward, also played for the Okanagan Hockey Academy in the 2011-2012 season where she recorded 89 points in 54 games.
Canada’s National Women’s Under 18 Team was assembled by Kalli Quinn, Hockey Canada’s director of female national teams; Melody Davidson, Hockey Canada’s head scout of women’s national team programs, and her team of scouts; along with head coach Jim Fetter (Waterloo, Ontario), assistant coaches Rebecca Russell (Lethbridge, Newfoundland) and Laura Schuler (Scarborough, Ontario), as well as goaltending coach Joe Johnston (Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia).
“All 40 players who participated in our National Women’s Under 18 Team selection camp should be very proud of the achievements,” said Fetter. “The competition on the ice in Calgary was intense, but we’re confident that the final 22 players chosen to wear the red and white on the ice next week in Blaine will represent Canada well both on and off the ice.”
Following the series, Hockey Canada scouts, along with Canada’s National Women’s Under 18 Team coaching staff, will continue to evaluate players with their club teams during the 2012-2013 season, in preparation for selecting the Canadian contingent that will compete at the 2013 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 Women’s World Championship in Vierumaki, Finland next January.
