With the official recruiting period for NCAA schools opening just this month, the class of 2024 will be in the spotlight. How does the 2006-born female crop compare to previous classes? Lets divulge.
Goaltending
There isn’t a Jana Bugden (Providence many years ago) or Kelsey Shute (plenty talented to play college hockey at the D1 level) in this class. However, Olivia Taylor has some size and athleticism. Taylor made a strong push for the Female U16 Provincial team last summer, but bowed out to a pair of 2008’s (Katie Winsor and Jenny Murphy – recruiters need to stash those 2 names away for future reference). The NL class of 2025 will be very deep in goal, too (Griffiths, Byer, etc).
Defence
Colleges – pick a number any number as to which prospect you like the most out of this tidy crew.
If explosive skating is your M.O, take a closer look at Sadie Brown (RNS) and Maria Shea (Ridley). Both are lefties who skate very well in both directions. Come to think of it, I’d love to see these two in a race because I think it would be must-see TV. Both have garnered D1 interest since the recruiting period has opened.
If IQ is your thing, look no further than Maddy Fillier (Ridley). The Bay Roberts, NL native has spent the past 2 seasons developing in St. Catherine’s, Ontario for the Ridley Tigers. Fillier has a mechanically-sound skating stride, thinks the game at a high level with/without the puck and is not shy to soak up shots in the defensive zone. Fillier moves the puck blade-to-blade as well as anyone, which – for teams who really value possession – is a very important attribute. Bad passes = turnovers = loss of possession (thanks tips).
If you want to throw down an investment on science, Jessica Mercer (Mount Academy in September) has to be monitored. The sister of NHL star Dawson Mercer and QMJHL goaltender Riley Mercer is smart, strong, mobile, and is… well… a Mercer? Don’t be fooled by the Elite Prospects vitals, either – Mercer is bigger than advertised.
The fun on the back-end does not stop there. Claire Brake (Mount Academy in September) is a tall righty who has plus offensive ability and IQ. Abby Woodford (Western U18AAA) impressed at HNL HPP U16 camp last summer and was named an AP to the team.
Forwards
The 2024 NL class has some artillery on the offensive side of the biscuit.
Mollie Power played her Grade 10 season with Northwood Prep, but will be trading in her Blue ‘N’ and a maroon ‘M’ this September. Power will play for the Mount Academy Saints this season; program co-ordinators Kenny Macdougall and Rebecca Babiak have littered their line-ups with talented NL-born players, and will likely reap the benefits of doing so in JWHL play this fall. Mollie has a great feel for the game, a great understanding of puck protection, and is an elite playmaker. Mollie has been highly-sought after by D1 programs since the NCAA recruiting period opened this month.
The remainder of the 2024 forwards will play locally in 2022-23, but that should not discourage programs from keeping a close eye on the NL U18 AAA Female League. Allie Hancock (Western) and Olivia Sparkes (Central) took part in a games weekend vs Mount Academy in April ’21, and showed well (article here). Joely Power (Tri-Pen) has excellent skating ability and is the daughter of former pro Ryan Power. Bethany Pitcher (Tri-Pen) is a 200-foot winger with above-average hands. Brooklyn Kitchen and Abby Fleet (Eastern) will look to parlay a solid 2022 Atlantic’s into a dominant 2022-23 season.
One of the best things about these ages – who may emerge in the coming months and become college-caliber players. Players like Chelsea Keough – based on her rapid development since January – could be a name that falls under this category. Or could it be someone like Avery Battcock – a pretty good athlete who puts it all together seemingly overnight?
In Summary
It is safe to say that the NL female class of 2024 may be the DEEPEST in provincial history. There might not be a player in this class that you’re backing up a Brinks truck for – a player like a Maggie Connors or a Peggy Wakeham for example (had to plug the VHG krewe legend) – but there are so many good players in this group that will be good players at the college level with development. There will likely be a fistful of players who cross t’s and dot i’s on scholarship papers by June of 2024, a cherry-on-top for a provincial female hockey program that continues to grow in numbers and talent.
Side note – for the demographic of individual who thinks ‘oh he’s just writing that for click bait’… lets revisit in 2024 and see how many of the names above end up playing college puck. Wink emoji.
Related Content
NL 2007’s to Monitor video (watch out for the tough Movember ‘stache) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15AviKhxiH4&t=6s
VHG Exclusive Article with BC Eagles Forward Abby Newhook Article – https://vhghockey.ca/vhg-exclusive-interview-with-hockey-east-all-rookie-team-member-abby-newhook/