CALGARY, Alta. – Hockey Canada has announced the 23 players who will wear the Maple Leaf with Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team at the 2023 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship, scheduled for January 8-15 in Östersund, Sweden. Of the 23 players, four are alumni of the Greater Toronto Hockey League: Charlotte Pieckenhagen, Mackenzie Alexander, Piper Grober, and Emma Venusio.
The roster, consisting of three goaltenders, seven defence and 13 forwards, includes seven 2022 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship gold medalists – Jocelyn Amos (Ailsa Craig, Ont./London, OWHA U22 Elite), Alexia Aubin (Lévis, Que./Stanstead College, JWHL), Jordan Baxter (Coquitlam, B.C./Delta Hockey Academy, CSSHL), Piper Grober (Toronto, Ont./Durham West, OWHA U22 Elite), Alex Law (Whitby, Ont./Durham West, OWHA U22 Elite), Ava Murphy (Kitchener, Ont./Oakville, OWHA U22 Elite) and Emmalee Pais (London, Ont./London, OWHA U22 Elite).
The roster was selected by head coach Courtney Birchard-Kessel (Mississauga, Ont,/Princeton University, ECAC), assistant coaches Stefanie McKeough (Carlsbad Springs, Ont./University of Ottawa, OUA) and Tara Watchorn (Newcastle, Ont./Stonehill College, NEWHA), and goaltending coach Gord Woodhall (Winnipeg, Man./Winnipeg, MFHL), with support from Gina Kingsbury (Rouyn-Noranda, Que.), director of hockey operations, and Cherie Piper (Scarborough, Ont.), senior manager of scouting and player development; Hockey Canada’s regional scouts also provided input.
“After a competitive camp this summer, we are excited with the group we have put together for the upcoming world championship,” said Kingsbury. “Our coaching staff and scouts have done a tremendous job at identifying the next group of elite athletes who will contribute to our women’s program. The team is motivated and excited for the opportunity to defend gold in Sweden.”
Canada is in Group A at the IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship with Finland, Sweden and the United States. Group B is comprised of Czechia, Japan, Slovakia and Switzerland. The Canadians open the tournament against Finland on Jan. 8 at 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT. They will also face Sweden on Jan. 9 at 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT before their preliminary-round finale against the United States on Jan. 11 at 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT.
TSN and RDS, the official broadcast partners of Hockey Canada, will broadcast 13 games from Östersund Arena, including the quarterfinals, semifinals and medal games; check local listings for details.
Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team will look to earn back-to-back gold medals at the IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship for the first time since 2013-14; it has won six gold medals (2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2019, 2022), seven silver (2008, 2009, 2011, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2020) and one bronze (2018).
For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team, please visit HockeyCanada.ca.
GTHL ALUMNI
- Charlotte Pieckenhagen (Toronto Shamrocks, Leaside Flames, Ted Reeve Thunder)
- Mackenzie Alexander (Streetsville Tigers, Mississauga Jets, North York Rangers)
- Piper Grober (York Mills, North Toronto)
- Emma Venusio (Toronto Eagles, Mississauga Jets)
