The 2025 Esso Cup is set to drop the puck in Llyodminster, Alberta on April 20.
The tournament will feature hosts, the Lloydminster Steelers, as well as the Edmonton Jr. Oilers, Eastern Stars, Étoiles de Laurentides-Lanaudière, Saskatoon Stars, and North York Storm.
The Storm and Oilers are both returning from the 2024 Esso Cup where the Regina Rebels won the national title. The Rebels were powered by Stryker Zablocki, Berlin Lolacher, and Brooklyn Nimeegers. The North York Storm weer the silver medalists and return all of their top players from the 2024 tournament including leading scorer Sydney Bowness, who was named the tournament’s Most Sportsmanlike Player, forwards Demi Lazarou and Lily Paisley, and top defender Olivia VanSickle.
Edmonton Jr. Oilers Locked and Loaded
If there’s an early favourite to take the 2025 Esso Cup title, it’s the Edmonton Jr. Oilers. From top to bottom, Edmonton’s roster is filled with college commits. In net, New Brunswick commit Taya Christie and British Columbia commit Ella Dunham-Fox will give the Oilers a chance to win every game.
Headlining their blueline is Clarkson committed defender Ciara Lang. She joined by committed defenders Bree Pediger (Merrimack), Cadence Richards (Brown), Madeline Renfree (New Brunswick), Dejah Howes (Windsor), and Jayde Sansregret (New Brunswick). Lang was named the Best Defender at the 2024 tournament.
Up front captain Layla Matthew, a Clarkson commit, is a major absence having been out since December. But Edmonton still has the firepower with Evie Hanson (Union), Daniella Martorana (Merrimack), Paige Smith (Bemidji State), Julia Curran (Boston University), Parker Small (Long Island), Reanna Loberg (Union), Taya Wallace (British Columbia), and Keira Grant (New Brunswick) providing depth and talent. Uncommitted 2009 born forward Tavia Koscielnuk is one to watch in this tournament for Edmonton as well.
With nine NCAA Division 1 committed players, and seven U Sports committed players on this roster, Edmonton has depth that cannot be rivalled in the tournament.
Players To Watch
Aside from the entire Edmonton Jr. Oilers roster and the aforementioned top players for the North York Storm, the Esso Cup is often where future stars emerge. Last year’s MVP Stryker Zablocki became the centerpiece for Canada’s gold medal winning U-18 national team.
The tournament features many notable NCAA and pro alumni including several in the PWHL. Those players include Sophie Shirley (Boston Fleet), Michela Cava (Minnesota Frost), and Jade Downie-Landry (New York Sirens).
The Saskatoon Stars have a handful of elite players coming to the tournament including RIT commit Kolbee Ashe and Mercyhurst commit Halle Duchene, who led the Stars in scoring this season with 20 goals and 41 points in 30 games. 15-year-old rookie Sadie Green is another to watch for Saskatoon.
Anais Leprohon, who won gold this year with Canada’s U-18 national team at the World Championships, is the centrepiece for Étoiles de Laurentides-Lanaudière on the blueline. Elli Allard and Maika Gauthier are their one-two punch up front.
Emily Gardiner, who will play for Dalhousie next season, was the leading scorer for the Eastern Stars notching 26 goals and 51 points in 28 games. On their blueline, future University of PEI defender Kali MacDonald will log heavy minutes.
The host Llyodminster Steelers will be in tough at the tournament. Rookie Raevyn Neahr and Mount Royal commit Skylar Heinrichs will attempt to keep this team competitive.
