National Talent Hunt
USA Hockey is staging a series of identification camps at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, drawing the nation’s most promising female hockey talent from the U‑19, U‑16/17 and U‑15 age brackets. The gatherings serve as the first major evaluation point for players eyeing spots on national teams and collegiate programs.
Among the U‑19 participants, the focus is on securing a place on the Collegiate Select squad that will meet Canada in August. The camp brings together former U‑18 gold medalists and a wave of soon‑to‑be collegiate stars, offering a final chance to impress selectors before the international showdown.
The U‑15 and U‑16/17 camps, held in the same week, funnel players into the U‑18 National Team Festival in Lake Placid, New York. Roughly 200 2011‑born athletes and about 170 prospects from the 2009 and 2010 birth years will compete for limited roster slots, making the week a crucible for future stars.
Spotlight on Standout Players
The event has already spotlighted several standout performances. Jane Daley, a 2023 U‑18 World Championship gold‑medal forward, earned Best Forward honors and was named tournament leading scorer. Goalies Morgan Stickney and Bianca Birrittieri, both former U‑18 gold medalists, are among the net‑minders tested, while defenders Maggie Averill and Sloane Hartmetz are slated to showcase their defensive prowess at the next level.
Notable 2009‑born players such as Bria Schilling, Mackenna Schlieman and Josie Virnig are joined by a deep pool of 2010 talent including Claire Summerfield, Lainey Lindsay and Kelsey Macpherson. The 2011 cohort, featuring names like Audrey Nichols and Nora Ptak, adds another layer of depth to a field that promises to reshape college rosters across the country.
Beyond individual exposure, the camps reinforce USA Hockey’s pipeline to the world stage. With commitments already rolling toward schools such as Penn State, Providence, Princeton and Minnesota, the upcoming months will see these prospects transition from camp ice to NCAA competition, carrying the aspirations of a generation hungry for international success.