Yeah yeah, this isn’t YouTube. But I prefer to write than sit in front of a camera and talk to myself, so here we are! You don’t want to see my mug for 7 minutes anyway – be honest with yourselves!
The Western Warriors graduate some key pieces and will lose some vital components to prep programs this season. That said, the back end is well-fortified and there are potential League MVP’s up front. For a full roster, click here! Lets divulge.
Warriors Social Media
Twitter – https://twitter.com/U18WarriorsAAA
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/groups/245690901019147
Goalies
Chloe Campbell / Lauren Pike. I’m 99.999% sure both of these goalies are returnees, so there is experience in goal for the 2022-23 instalment of the Warriors. The last time I saw a Western Warriors game, Mackenzie Hynes and Tori Dominix were between the pipes so I’m somewhat unfamiliar with this duo. That will change as I plan on taking in more U18 AAA Female games in 2022-23!
Defence
On paper, this is a position of strength for the orange and black jerseys this season. Makayla Bugden (’05) will suit up for HNL at the upcoming ACC, and is a player USPORT programs in the Maritimes should keep an eye on. Abby Woodford (’06) is back for her second year with the club, and is a smooth skater with plus hockey IQ. Mya George (’06) had a strong HPP Provincial camp in Corner Brook this past August and should see plenty of ice time for Corey Coles and company this season. The trio of Dayna Genge (’06 – it wouldn’t be a Western team without at least one Genge, would it?), Avery Lawrence (N/A) and Jonelle Carter (N/A) will help the Warriors out in a variety of ways, too. Genge was a player who caught my eye at HPP Provincial Camp in 2021, actually; a smart defenceman with pretty darn good feet.
Forwards
If there was a pre-season League MVP vote, Allie Hancock (’06) would have to be on my ballot. The strong-as-an-ox centre should be a dominant force for Western this year; Hancock, along with Tri-Pen’s Cassie Drover, were absolutely buzzing at HPP main camp in the games I saw. At HPP Camp, Hancock looked explosive especially at the end of her shifts.
Renee and Ricki Genge bring some skill and power to this forward corps, which also includes Mackenzie Coles (’06), Rebecca Spracklin (’07), Kathryn Wells (N/A), Kayla Bond (N/A), Regan Blanchard (N/A), and Caysie Saunders (N/A). One common theme so far in the U18 Female Reviews is the youth infusion. Hancock, Renee Genge, Coles, and Spracklin are all eligible to be back for the Warriors next year if they so choose. While I’m not sure the age of Bond, Blanchard, Wells and Saunders, if even 50% of those players are 06/07 birthyears, the Warriors are pretty well set up front in 2023-24 too.
In the System
The Warriors did not name any affiliates on the roster display on the HNL web site. However, you can’t help to think what could have been if this line-up had Claire Brake (’06), Sara Penney (’07) and Emma Power (’07). All 3 skaters will be wearing the big ‘M’ of Mount Academy this season, and have bright hockey futures in front of them. Brake is a tall, long right-handed D with high levels of hockey IQ, Penney is a sniper and Emma Power is a beast physically (she’s phyiscally tall) with a nifty set of mittens.
It would be intriguing to see some of Western’s U15’s get the call-up if there are injuries on this team. Players such as Katie Hancock, Sophie Urquhart, Rebecca Patey, Jayla Matthews and Ella Rashleigh (off hand) would not be out of place at the U18 level, and are players for schools to keep a close eye on throughout the winter months.
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Want 2022-23 Male U18 Major previews? Click here . Eastern’s write-up is here too – https://vhghockey.ca/2022-23-u18-aaa-female-team-previews-the-eastern-ice-breakers/