A bunch of Canadian teenagers are abuzz about their immediate and distant hockey futures.

CanadaB次元官网网址檚 team in Zug, Switzerland, is attempting their countryB次元官网网址檚 first three-peat at the womenB次元官网网址檚 world under-18 hockey championship in a decade. The defending champions open the 2024 tournament Saturday against Germany.

The young women also watched the Professional WomenB次元官网网址檚 Hockey LeagueB次元官网网址檚 first game Monday (Jan. 1) from their pre-tournament camp in Lugano, Italy. It sank in then what the new league means for their hockey futures.

B次元官网网址淎ll of us are talking a lot about it because itB次元官网网址檚 just so historical,B次元官网网址� said 17-year-old defender Chloe Primerano. B次元官网网址淔or all of us to be able to have a league that we could potentially go to and play in, itB次元官网网址檚 pretty special.B次元官网网址�

Primerano, of North Vancouver, B.C., has committed to playing NCAA Division 1 womenB次元官网网址檚 hockey for the University of Minnesota starting in 2025-26.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 really cool to be able to have something that we can do after university and be able to make money,B次元官网网址� she said.

For CanadaB次元官网网址檚 coach Tara Watchorn, who won an Olympic gold medal with Canada in 2014 and played in previous womenB次元官网网址檚 leagues, seeing young players get excited about the prospect of making a living in hockey was meaningful to her.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e always felt that the girls at this age, without a professional league, they feel the pressure to have success at such a young age,B次元官网网址� said the 33-year-old from Newcastle, Ont. B次元官网网址淭he cool thing is now they can play long careers and hopefully not feel that pressure.

B次元官网网址淚t was really special in how I got to experience it, seeing the next generation take it in, and knowing that I was a part of the growth of our leagues. Then also to see the amazing women that I used to play with still there. I know how hard they fought.B次元官网网址�

Canada last won three straight womenB次元官网网址檚 world under-18 titles between 2012 and 2014. Canada has won seven gold and the United States eight in the tournamentB次元官网网址檚 15-year history.

Canada starts the eight-country tournament with back-to-back games Saturday against Germany and Sunday versus Czechia. Finland rounds out CanadaB次元官网网址檚 pool.

The United States, host Switzerland, Sweden and Slovakia comprise Pool B. SlovakiaB次元官网网址檚 roster features Nela Lopusanova, who had 12 points in five games at the age of 14 in Ostersund, Sweden, last year.

TSN will broadcast all Canada, U.S., and Slovakia preliminary-round games and all medal-round games in Zug. The final is Jan. 14.

CanadaB次元官网网址檚 path to gold in 2023 in Ostersund featured tense moments. Alex LawB次元官网网址檚 overtime winner in a 3-2 semifinal win over Finland propelled the Canadians to the championship game.

After a stunning 2-1 semifinal upset of the United States, the host Swedes lost the gold-medal game 10-0 to Canada. Caitlin Kraemer of Waterloo, Ont., scored four goals in the final.

SheB次元官网网址檚 among nine returning players on CanadaB次元官网网址檚 roster alongside Mackenzie Alexander, Hannah Clark, Gracie Graham, Morgan Jackson, Avery Pickering, Charlotte Pieckenhagen, Abby Stonehouse and Emma Venusio.

B次元官网网址淲e know a lot of eyes are on us, so just be able to help these rookies out. We had a great team atmosphere last year, great team culture so just bringing that back here,B次元官网网址� said Kraemer, who is headed to the University of Minnesota-Duluth next season.

B次元官网网址淲e know itB次元官网网址檚 going to be a tough tournament, we know itB次元官网网址檚 not going to be easy, so just taking everything in stride and do doing it together as a team.B次元官网网址�

Among players making their international debut for Canada is Primerano, who was the first female skater to be selected in a Canadian Hockey League prospects draft when the Western Hockey LeagueB次元官网网址檚 Vancouver Giants made her their 268th pick in the 13th round in 2022.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a pretty crazy feeling being able to put on the jersey for the first time in an international tournament,B次元官网网址� Primerano said. B次元官网网址淐oming all the way to Switzerland for this, itB次元官网网址檚 pretty

Donna Spencer, The Canadian Press

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