ST. CATHARINES, ONT. – Hockey Canada has announced the roster for Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team for a three-game series against the United States, Aug. 16-19 in Lake Placid, NY.

The team was selected by Gina Kingsbury (Rouyn-Noranda, QC) vice-president of hockey operations, and Cherie Piper (Scarborough, ON) senior manager of player development and scouting. Head coach Tara Watchorn (Newcastle, ON/Boston University, HE), assistant coaches Stefanie McKeough (Carlsbad Springs, ON/University of Ottawa, OUA), Vicky Sunohara (Scarborough, ON/University of Toronto, OUA) and Haley Irwin (Thunder Bay, ON/Toronto Metropolitan University, OUA), and goaltending consultant Gord Woodhall (Winnipeg, MB/Winnipeg, MFHL) also provided input.



Included on the U18 roster are a pair of Nova Scotians. Goaltender Rhyah Stewart (Antigonish, N.S.) and forward Jessica MacKinnon (Clark's Harbour, N.S.), members of Nova Scotia's silver medal-winning Canada Games women's team, will represent Canada in international competition for the first time.



“We have a very fast and skilled group,” said Watchorn. “We can play with creativity, we have firepower from the back end and it will be a fun team to watch. You can see the difference in this group every day, and it’s important we continue with that growth mindset. Our goal is to get better everyday.”

All six games at Herb Brooks Arena will be livestreamed by USA Hockey. For more information, CLICK HERE.

Hockey Nova Scotia would like to congratulate Jessica and Rhyah on their selections and wish them the best of luck this month!