CALGARY, Alberta – Hockey Canada has announced a three-year partnership with ISB Global Services (ISB) to enhance and optimize the organization’s safety and compliance processes, including through ISB’s oneBADGEsport platform.

oneBADGEsport is a comprehensive solution that will manage Hockey Canada’s screening requirements for national team athletes, coaches and staff, as well as employees and volunteers.

“Hockey Canada is excited to partner with ISB Global Services through an agreement that we believe will make our screening and compliance processes more efficient and beneficial to all participants,” said Natasha Johnston, vice-president of sport integrity for Hockey Canada. “We are committed to prioritizing the safety and security of our players, coaches, staff and volunteers, and oneBADGEsport will play a critical role in that moving forward.”

In addition to supporting screening requirements, oneBADGEsport will manage criminal record checks and other compliance tools, while providing real-time data to Hockey Canada.

“Hockey Canada is setting a new gold standard for safe sport in Canada, and we’re proud they’ve chosen oneBADGEsport to support that mission,” said Michael Thompson, chief commercial officer of ISB Global Services. “Our partnership shows what is possible when leaders come together to protect athletes through technology-driven oversight and advanced screening solutions.”

For more information on ISB’s oneBADGEsport, please click here.

To learn more about Hockey Canada, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along through social media on Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok.

The Hockey Canada Foundation (HCF) is proud to support Creating Coaches — a groundbreaking program helping to shape the next generation of women leaders in hockey. Now in its fourth year, the initiative provides mentorship, training and hands-on coaching experience to U SPORTS student-athletes as they begin their journey behind the bench.

With targeted grant funding from the HCF, a total of 16 student-athletes received on-going support during the 2024–25 season while serving as assistant coaches with U13, U15 or U18 girls’ teams. As active players themselves, these young women gain vital experience, receive professional development opportunities and contribute meaningfully to the sport’s growth at the grassroots level.

The impact is already being felt. In March 2025, Creating Coaches alumna Alex Boulanger helped guide Bishop’s University to its first-ever U SPORTS national championship, while Emma Cheeseman was behind the bench for Waterloo University in its run to the championship game.

Current coaches in the program are also making waves — Izzy Lajoie (University of Alberta) was on the coaching staff with the 2025 Esso Cup champions, the Edmonton Jr. Oilers!

Another win off the ice, Charlotte Melindy (Queen’s University) was the 2025 recipient of the OUA Champion of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Award while also mentoring a U18 AA girls’ team in Kingston, Ontario.

With the continued support of the HCF, the program will expand to accept 11 new student-athletes for the 2025-26 season, totaling 20 Creating Coaches for the program’s fifth year. The highest enrollment number to date for the program!

By investing in programs like Creating Coaches, the HCF is helping close the gender gap in coaching and ensuring more women are empowered to lead — both on and off the ice.

In rinks across the country – and even beyond our borders – the hockey community continues to show what makes this sport so special: a deep, shared belief that every child deserves the chance to play.

This spring, that spirit came to life through two unforgettable Assist Fund events hosted by the Hockey Canada Foundation (HCF). Thanks to the commitment of the board of directors of the HCF and Canadian Hockey Foundation US (CHFUS), along with the generosity of partners, over $200,000 was raised to help more kids lace up their skates and find their place in the game.

In Tampa Bay, the first-ever U.S.-based fundraiser – led by CHFUS vice-chair Steve Griggs – brought together hockey legends, NHL leadership and passionate supporters. Just days later, the tradition continued in Montreal, where long-time HCF director Barry F. Lorenzetti hosted a powerful evening at the Bell Centre, uniting donors, alumni and Team Canada greats in support of a shared mission.

These nights weren’t just about raising funds – they were about rallying the hockey community around a simple but powerful goal: to ensure financial barriers are never the reason a child is left off the ice. From coast to coast to coast and across generations, this is what hockey looks like at its best – united, generous and full of heart.

Together, we’re breaking down barriers and keeping the game we love open to all.

CALGARY, Alberta – The Calgary Canucks have captured the 2025 Centennial Cup, presented by Tim Hortons, with a dominant 7-2 win over the Melfort Mustangs in the championship game Sunday night.

One year after losing in the semifinals to Melfort, the Canucks captured Canada’s National Junior A Championship for the second time, and the first since 1995. Calgary is the 12th host team to win the national title since the start of the tournament format in 1985.

“We went from coming to the rink and hoping to win to ‘we’re going to win.’ We’ve built a culture over the last three years and I feel like that’s gone a long way,” said captain Bowden Singleton (Calgary, AB). “It starts with our coaching staff, and I couldn’t be prouder of the boys for holding the standard all year long. You never think you’re going to lose, we just said we’re going to take it shift by shift, which is different than earlier games where we start down. I thought our start was really good, I’m proud of the boys and there’s no better feeling doing this in front of friends and family. It’s everything I dreamed of.”

The Alberta Junior Hockey League champions opened the scoring when Rhett Melynk (Edmonton, AB) tucked a loose puck past Melfort goaltender Kristian Coombs (Calgary, AB) on the power play, but Ashton Paul (The Pas, MB) replied for the Mustangs before the end of the first period.

Calgary added three goals in the second period, from Hayden Fechner (Edmonton, AB), Landon Pappas (Airdrie, AB) and Nolan DuPont (Calgary, AB). Jayden Joly (Fort Saskatchewan, AB) made it 5-1 just 78 seconds into the third period, chasing Coombs from the Melfort goal after five goals on 22 shots. Madden Mulawka (Edmonton, AB) made four saves in relief.

The Mustangs – who became just the second team to lose in the final in back-to-back years, joining the 2014-15 Carleton Place Canadians – got a second goal from Zayden Sadlemyer (Buena Vista, SK) with 14 minutes left, but they would get no closer.

Fechner finished with two goals and an assist, Joly had a goal and two helpers and Gavin Schmidt (Okotoks, AB) contributed three assists. Lukas Renaud (Naples, FL) was terrific in goal, finishing with 27 saves for the Canucks, who went three-for-four on the power play.

“The guys, to a man, bought in. Everyone gave us what they needed, whether that was in practice, minimal ice time or whatever it was, and they all play for each other and that’s the main reason we’re here - we don’t have individuals,” said Calgary head coach Brad Moran. “For the organization to get back after being close last year, we weren’t satisfied and the guys that were there helped push us over the top. It’s a pretty special moment, especially the guys that have been through it.”

Full game stats are available HERE.

Game highlights can be downloaded HERE.

Before the championship game, the tournament award winners were announced:

• Most Valuable Player: Anthony Hall (Sherbrooke, QC) – Rockland Nationals
• Top Forward: Anthony Hall (Sherbrooke, QC) – Rockland Nationals
• Top Defenceman: Nathan Maloney (Strathmore, AB) – Calgary Canucks
• Top Goaltender: Ashton Sadauskas (Parksville, BC) – Kam River Fighting Walleye
• Most Sportsmanlike Player: Lincoln Moore (Sault Ste. Marie, ON) – Greater Sudbury Cubs

For more information on Hockey Canada and the 2025 Centennial Cup, presented by Tim Hortons, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along through social media on Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok.

STOCKHOLM, Sweden – Hockey Canada has announced that two-time Olympic gold medallist and three-time Stanley Cup champion Sidney Crosby (Cole Harbour, NS/Pittsburgh, NHL) will wear the ‘C’ for Canada’s National Men’s Team at the 2025 IIHF World Championship, set for May 9-25 in Stockholm, Sweden and Herning, Denmark.

IIHF World Championship gold medallists and Stanley Cup champions Nathan MacKinnon (Cole Harbour, NS/Colorado, NHL) and Ryan O’Reilly (Varna, ON/Nashville, NHL) will serve alongside Crosby as alternate captains.

“It is an honour to be named captain for the 2025 IIHF World Championship on a team that has so many great leaders and players, and I am grateful for the opportunity to represent Canada at Men’s Worlds for the first time since 2015,” Crosby said. “Nathan and Ryan are amazing leaders on and off the ice, and I look forward to serving on the leadership group with them. Our entire team is excited to play for Team Canada and wear the Maple Leaf with pride as we attempt to accomplish our goal of winning a gold medal.”

Canada will open the 2025 IIHF World Championship against Slovenia on May 10 at 6:20 a.m. ET/3:20 a.m. PT. It will also take on Latvia, France, Austria, Slovakia, Finland and Sweden in the preliminary round before the tournament concludes with the medal games on May 25.

TSN and RDS, Hockey Canada’s official broadcast partners, will broadcast 64 and 24 games, respectively; please check local listings for details.

For more information on the 2025 IIHF World Championship, please visit the official tournament website at IIHF.com.

For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s National Men’s Team, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along through social media on Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok.

CALGARY, Alberta – Hockey Canada has announced the first 15 players who will wear the Maple Leaf with Canada’s National Men’s Team at the 2025 IIHF World Championship, May 9-25 in Stockholm, Sweden, and Herning, Denmark.

The initial roster, which includes one goaltender, five defencemen and nine forwards, was selected by general manager Kyle Dubas (Sault Ste. Marie, ON/Pittsburgh, NHL), player relations advisor Ryan Getzlaf (Regina, SK) and Scott Salmond (Creston, BC), senior vice-president of high performance and hockey operations. A selection committee of four NHL executives – Dennis Bonvie (Antigonish, NS/Boston, NHL), Gregory Campbell (Tillsonburg, ON/Florida, NHL), Andrew Cogliano (Woodbridge, ON/Colorado, NHL) and Jason Spezza (Mississauga, ON/Pittsburgh, NHL) – also assisted with player selections.

Among the 15 players are eight who have previously suited up for Canada at the IIHF World Championship (Fantilli, Horvat, Johnson, Konecny, Montour, O’Reilly, Sanheim, Weegar) and two who won the championship at the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off (Konecny, Sanheim). The initial roster also includes 11 players who have represented Canada at the IIHF World Junior Championship (Celebrini, Cuylle, Dobson, Fantilli, Foerster, Garand, Hayton, Horvat, Johnson, Konecny, Sanheim).

“We are excited to unveil the first 15 players who will wear the Maple Leaf at the 2025 IIHF World Championship, as this a very competitive and talented group that provides a strong foundation of NHL and international experience and success,” Dubas said. “We know these 15 players will give our team a chance to compete for a gold medal as they represent Canada with pride in Stockholm and Herning, and we look forward to continuing to build our roster ahead of the world championship following the conclusion of round one of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.”

Roster additions will be announced in the coming weeks pending the results of the National Hockey League (NHL) playoffs.

In addition, seven players will join Canada’s National Men’s Team for its pre-tournament camp in Vienna and Budapest – Nicolas Beaudin (Châteauguay, QC/HC Kometa Brno, Czech Extraliga), Zach Boychuk (Airdrie, AB/Eisbären Berlin, DEL), Harrison Brunicke (Calgary, AB/Kamloops, WHL), Porter Martone (Peterborough, ON/Brampton, OHL), Zayne Parekh (Nobleton, ON/Saginaw, OHL), Brendan Perlini (Sault Ste. Marie, ON/Lausanne HC, NL) and Ty Ronning (Burnaby, BC/Eisbären Berlin, DEL).

Canada will open the 2025 IIHF World Championship against Slovenia on May 10 at 6:20 a.m. ET/3:20 a.m. PT. It will also take on Latvia, France, Austria, Slovakia, Finland and Sweden in the preliminary round before the tournament concludes with the medal games on May 25. Prior to the start of the tournament, Canada’s National Men’s Team will play pre-tournament games against in Vienna against Austria on May 4 and in Budapest against Hungary on May 6.

TSN and RDS, Hockey Canada’s official broadcast partners, will broadcast 64 and 24 games, respectively; please check local listings for details.

Since 1931, Canada has collected 28 gold medals at the world championship, to go along with 16 silver and seven bronze. 

For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s National Men’s Team, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along through social media on Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok.

CALGARY, Alberta – With less than two weeks until the puck drops at the 2025 IIHF World Championship, Hockey Canada has named the coaching and support staffs that will lead Canada’s National Men’s Team in Stockholm, Sweden, and Herning, Denmark, May 9-25.

After serving as an assistant coach at the 2024 IIHF World Championship, Dean Evason (Flin Flon, MB/Columbus, NHL) returns for the second-straight year to take the reins as head coach. He will be joined by assistant coaches Andrew Brunette (Sudbury, ON/Nashville, NHL), Ryan Huska (Cranbrook, BC/Calgary, NHL) and Steve McCarthy (Trail, BC/Columbus, NHL), and director of performance analysis James Emery (Calgary, AB).

The staff was selected by general manager Kyle Dubas (Sault Ste. Marie, ON/Pittsburgh, NHL), player relations advisor Ryan Getzlaf (Regina, SK) and Scott Salmond (Creston, BC), Hockey Canada’s senior vice-president of high performance and hockey operations, with input from Doug Armstrong (Sarnia, ON/St. Louis, NHL), executive director of Canada’s National Men’s Team.

“Dean, Andrew, Ryan and Steve are excellent NHL coaches that bring many years of professional experience and leadership, and we are thrilled that they will lead Team Canada at the 2025 world championship,” Dubas said. “Our coaching staff will also be supported by an elite support staff that has many years of NHL experience, as well as experience at several world championships and Olympics, and we know our entire staff will create an environment for our players to succeed and wear the Maple Leaf with pride in Stockholm and Herning.”

Evason recently finished his first season as head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets following six seasons as an assistant coach (2018-20) and head coach (2020-24) of the Minnesota Wild. He was also an assistant with the Washington Capitals (2005-12) and spent six seasons (2012-18) as head coach of the Milwaukee Admirals of the American Hockey League (AHL). Prior to his professional coaching career, Evason was the head coach of the Kamloops Blazers (1999-2002), Vancouver Giants (2002-04) and Calgary Hitmen (2004-05) of the Western Hockey League (WHL), and was an assistant with the Hitmen for one season (1998-99). As a player, he played in 803 NHL games with the Capitals, Hartford Whalers, San Jose Sharks, Dallas Stars and Calgary Flames. Internationally, he wore the Maple Leaf at the 1984 IIHF World Junior Championship, suited up in 56 games with Canada’s National Men’s Team during the 1996-97 season and captained Canada to a gold medal at the 1997 IIHF World Championship.

Brunette has served as head coach of the Nashville Predators for the past two seasons (2023-25) and is slated to make his international coaching debut at Men’s Worlds. He was also an associate coach with the New Jersey Devils for one season (2022-23) and was an assistant with the Florida Panthers for parts of three seasons (2019-21) before being named interim head coach during the 2021-22 season. Brunette also spent time with the Minnesota Wild, serving as director of player personnel (2018-19), assistant general manager (2017-18), special assistant to the GM (2016-17, 2012-14) and assistant coach (2014-16). As a player, he played in 1,109 NHL games over 16 seasons with the Washington Capitals, Predators, Atlanta Thrashers, Wild, Colorado Avalanche and Chicago Blackhawks.

Huska recently completed his second season (2023-25) as head coach of the Calgary Flames after serving as an assistant for five seasons (2018-23). Prior to joining the Flames, he was the head coach of the AHL’s Adirondack Flames/Stockton Heat for four seasons (2014-18) and spent 12 seasons as an assistant coach (2002-07) and head coach (2007-14) of the WHL’s Kelowna Rockets. Internationally, he served as an assistant with Canada’s National Junior Team at the 2011 and 2012 IIHF World Junior Championships, winning silver and bronze, respectively.

McCarthy is set to make his international coaching debut. He has served as an assistant coach with the Columbus Blue Jackets for four seasons (2021-25) after five years (2016-21) as an assistant with the AHL’s Cleveland Monsters. As a player, McCarthy played 302 NHL games with the Chicago Blackhawks, Vancouver Canucks and Atlanta Thrashers. He also won bronze medals with Canada’s National Junior Team at the 2000 and 2001 IIHF World Junior Championships, serving as captain in 2001, and won gold with Canada’s National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team at the 1998 Four Nations Cup.

The support staff that will work with Canada’s National Men’s Team at the 2025 IIHF World Championship includes:

• Sport physiotherapist Kent Kobelka (Revelstoke, BC/Calgary, NHL)
• Athletic therapist Kevin Elliott (Charlottetown, PE/Pittsburgh, NHL)
• Massage therapist Andy Hüppi (Schmerikon, SUI)
• Team physician Dr. Ian Auld (Victoria, BC/Calgary, NHL)
• Equipment managers Paul Boyer (Sault Ste. Marie, ON/Detroit, NHL) and Blair Smook (Airdrie, AB)
• Strength and conditioning coach Sean Young (Ennismore, ON/Ottawa, OHL)
• Managers of hockey operations Mitchell Furlotte (Bathurst, NB) and Kurt Keats (Winnipeg, MB)
• Coordinator of hockey operations Miah Armitage (Creston, BC)
• Media relations director Sean Kelso (Vancouver, BC/Calgary, NHL)
• Media relations manager Spencer Sharkey (Hamilton, ON)

Canada will open Men’s Worlds against Slovenia on May 10 at 6:20 a.m. ET/3:20 a.m. PT. It will also take on Latvia, France, Austria, Slovakia, Finland and Sweden in the preliminary round before the tournament concludes with the medal games on May 25. Prior to the start of the tournament, Canada’s National Men’s Team will play pre-tournament games in Vienna against Austria on May 4 and in Budapest against Hungary on May 6.

TSN and RDS, Hockey Canada’s official broadcast partners, will broadcast 64 and 24 games, respectively; please check local listings for details.

For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s National Men’s Team, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along through social media on Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok.

CALGARY, Alberta – Hockey Canada has announced an expanded partnership with SportsPay that will see the organization become the Exclusive Payment Partner for all transactions involving the Hockey Canada Registry (HCR), which is recognized as the premier system for hockey registration and management in Canada.

Most recently Hockey Canada’s Preferred Payment Partner, SportsPay facilitates seamless and secure online transactions and provides a smooth payment experience for its users while using the HCR.

“The Hockey Canada Registry processes hundreds of thousands of registrations for participants across the country each season, and the expansion of our partnership with SportsPay will ensure that the user experience for our participants and associations continues to be world-class,” said Jesse Albers, vice-president of operations for Hockey Canada. “We appreciate SportsPay’s longstanding commitment to supporting amateur hockey in Canada and look forward to working together for many years to come.”

A leading payment provider for amateur sports organizations in Canada, SportsPay was also a proud supporter of the Beyond the Boards Summit in November 2024, which examined outcomes of unhealthy hockey culture.

To learn more about Hockey Canada, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along through social media on Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok.

CHILLIWACK, British Columbia – The Regina Pat Canadians have won their fifth TELUS Cup, defeating the Chevaliers de Lévis 3-2 in overtime in the gold medal game Sunday night at Canada’s U18 Men’s National Club Championship.

It’s the seventh medal for the Pat Canadians at the TELUS Cup, along with gold medals in 1983, 1988, 1994 and 1999, silver in 1989 and bronze in 2015. The five national titles ties Regina with the Notre Dame Hounds and Blizzard du Séminaire Saint-François for the most in tournament history.

Maddox Schultz (Regina, SK) scored the winner 28 seconds into the extra frame and assisted on Regina’s other two goals. The TELUS Cup Most Valuable Player registered a point in all seven games and finished with a tournament-high 20 points (9-11—20), leading all players in goals and assists.

“Right from the start of the year, our goal was to make it to the TELUS Cup. As soon as we got here our plan was to win it, so it is all super surreal right now. We played a full 60 minutes, so going into the locker room we knew someone had to be the hero,” said Schultz. “This was an absolutely crazy experience, seeing the puck go in the net, seeing the referee call the goal, it is something I will never forget. I am looking forward to enjoying it with my teammates.”

Regina opened the scoring with a power-play goal from Jonah Siverston (Regina, SK) late in the first period before Lévis forward Malyk Coté (Saint-Lambert-de-Lauzon, QC) evened the score just over a minute later. Félix Grenier (Lévis, QC) put the Chevaliers ahead by one early in the second period, but Regina captain Logan Mehl (Regina, SK) tied the game at two with 1:09 remaining in the middle frame.

“It is an amazing feeling, special. [Going into overtime], I told the guys to seize the moment, embrace it and do everything we have worked on all season long,” said Pat Canadians head coach Ryan Hodgins (Regina, SK). “Watching the puck go in the net [in overtime] was crazy. My coaches were right beside me to celebrate and I have a special group of friends that are also coaches that have put in the work and time to make this happen.”

Taylor Tabashniuk (Regina, SK) made 29 saves for his fifth win in as many games, finishing with a 1.20 goals-against average and .951 save percentage in the tournament.

A full game summary can be found HERE.

In between the medal games, Hockey Canada announced the 2025 TELUS Cup tournament awards:

• Most Valuable Player – Maddox Schultz (Regina, SK), Regina Pat Canadians
• Top Forward – Charles-Antoine Dubé (Saint-Anges, QC), Chevaliers de Lévis
• Top Defence – Eli Johnson (Regina, SK), Regina Pat Canadians
• Top Goaltender – Finn McKiernan (Kelowna, BC), Okanagan Rockets
• Most Sportsmanlike Player – Nathan Weber (Riverview, NB), Moncton Flyers
• TELUS Cup Scholarship ($1,000) – Josh Myatt (London, ON) Elgin Middlesex Canucks

Moncton Flyers defeat Elgin Middlesex Canucks 4-1 to win bronze medal

Earlier in the day, Moncton rebounded from a 3-0 loss to Lévis in the semifinals to win the bronze medal, defeating the Elgin Middlesex Canucks 4-1. It marks the second medal for the Atlantic Region representatives after winning gold at the 2022 TELUS Cup.

Flyers captain Nathan Weber (Riverview, NB) opened the scoring with a power-play goal in the first period and added an assist, on route to his second TELUS Cup medal with Moncton.

“We wanted to be in the gold medal game, but to finish third in the country is a pretty big deal. It is an unbelievable experience, something you are going to cherish for the rest of your life,” said Weber. “Every time you have a chance to win your final game, you want to end on a high note, and to end in third place in Canada is a big deal. I could not be any prouder of my teammates.”

Marc MacPhee (Moncton, NB), Tristan Richard (Dieppe, NB) and Caleb Cyr (Dieppe, NB) also registered a goal and an assist each for the Flyers, who went 3-for-4 on the power play. Parker Graham (Chatham, ON) scored the lone Canucks goal in the final minute of the game.

A full game summary can be found HERE.

For more information on Hockey Canada and the 2025 TELUS Cup, please visit Hockey Canada.ca, or follow along through social media on Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok, and by using #TELUSCup.

LLOYDMINSTER, Alberta – The Edmonton Jr. Oilers have won their first Esso Cup in their ninth tournament appearance, defeating the Saskatoon Stars 7-3 on Saturday afternoon at Canada’s U18 Women’s National Club Championship.

Evie Hanson (Calgary, AB) recorded one goal and two assists for the Jr. Oilers. Ciara Lang (Sherwood Park, AB), tallied two points (1-1—2), including the game-winning goal and was named Player of the Game for Edmonton. Ella Dunham-Fox (Edmonton, AB) registered the win for the Jr. Oilers, with her goaltending partner Taya Christie (Medicine Hat, AB) playing the last 20 minutes in net for Edmonton.

“It feels awesome right now, we are so happy. It's unreal, we could not have done it with a better group,” said Daniella Martonara (Edmonton, AB). “We wanted to win this tournament for our captain, Layla, who got injured and could not participate. She is a great captain. After the intense and emotional game against Lloydminster last night, we had to reset. It was a quick turnaround, but it feels great that we got it done.”

The Jr. Oilers came out strong with a 3-0 lead in the first period. Paige Smith (Gibbons, AB), who was named the Most Valuable Player of the event, opened the scoring, followed by Lang and Keira Grant (Medicine Hat, AB). The Stars responded with back-to-back goals from Halle Duchene (Saskatoon, SK)—who was named the Top Forward of the tournament—and Ayla Anderson (Warman, SK), who also registered two points. The Jr. Oilers came back even stronger after Anderson’s goal early in the second period, notching four consecutive goals to make it 7-2 after 40 minutes.

“It has been an amazing season for us. We brought in some very good people to fit in the culture that we had,” said Jr. Oilers head coach Joel Lenius (Edmonton, AB). We’ve been through a lot of adversity on and off the ice as well, especially with our captain going down with an injury. Seeing how tight the group is and how much they stuck together as a family; it is pretty impressive. They really earned this as a group.”

North York Storm defeats host Lloydminster Steelers 4-1 to win bronze

Earlier in the day, the North York Storm captured bronze in a 4-1 victory over the hosts, Lloydminster Steelers, marking the second medal for the Ontario champions after taking home silver in 2024.

“It was a big game for us. Our goalie played very well, she had an incredible tournament,” said North York forward Demi Lazarou (Orillia, ON), who registered a hat trick in the bronze medal game. “It was definitely tough [playing seven games in seven days], but it was a matter of not getting too high, not getting too low. We had a younger group of girls this year, but we had the same core group. It is pretty insane to go back home with back-to-back medals in two years.”

Lauren Kruzel (Mississauga, ON) opened the scoring midway through the first period. Lazarou scored shorthanded for her first of three goals and the game-winner for North York. Lily Paisley (Mount Albert, ON) registered two assists in the win and was named the Most Sportsmanlike Player of the tournament.

Sadee Reinders (Leduc, AB) was the lone scorer for the Steelers. Jamie Sanford (Toronto, ON) made 35 saves for North York and earned the Storm’s Player of the Game honours. Steelers goalie Harlee Houle (Spruce Grove, AB) was named the Top Goaltender for the tournament.

For more information on Hockey Canada and the 2025 Esso Cup, please visit Hockey Canada.ca, and follow along through social media on Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.