Teams set for Esso Cup U18 nationals in Vernon

The six teams that will compete for a national hockey title in Vernon next week have now been finalized.

Hockey Canada is hosting the 2024 Esso Cup Women’s Under 18 National Club Championship from April 21-27 at Kal Tire Place.

The B.C. champion Thompson Okanagan Lakers are the host team, and they will be joined by the five regional champions for the six-day tournament: the Edmonton Junior Oilers (Pacific); Regina Rebels (West); North York Storm (Ontario); Intrépide de l’Outaouais (Quebec), and Northern Selects (Atlantic).

The Thompson-Okanagan Lakers won the B.C. Elite Hockey League championship, defeating the two-time defending champion Fraser Valley Rush in the final.

That series win meant the Lakers didn’t have to play the Pacific regional series against the Edmonton Jr. Oilers, giving the Alberta champions a berth into the Esso Cup as Pacific representatives. It also gave the Lakers almost a full month off before the Esso Cup.

Thompson-Okanagan had four players in top 10 of its league’s scoring during the regular season: Alexandra Recsky (10-21—31), Emma Kohl (18-10—28), Lily Roberts (11-12—23) and Holly Magnus (8-13—21), while goalies Denali Forsyth (1.70) Reese Sliskovic (1.87) both posted goals-against averages under 2.00.

There are four Vernon players on the Lakers: forwards Mena Bhatt, Holly Magnus and Lily Roberts and defender Hannah Robertson. There are six players from Kelowna and one from Salmon Arm.

The Lakers are looking to become the first host team to win the national U18 title and the first team from British Columbia. They play their first game Sunday. Apr. 21 against the Northern Selects at 7 p.m.

See the complete schedule here.

For more on the Esso Cup, and to buy tickets for the event, visit Hockey Canada’s website.