Three young hockey players from the Greater Victoria area have earned spots on the U18 Vancouver Island Seals roster for the upcoming 2026‑27 B.C. Elite Hockey League season.
Local Roots, Island Aspirations
The Seals, based in Port Alberni, compete in B.C.’s top U18 female AAA league, a tier that saw the team finish fifth last season with a 3‑29‑0 record.
Addison Rutten, a 15‑year‑old forward, arrives after three years in Greater Victoria, having previously honed her game with the Victoria Hockey Academy U14 squad where she posted 13 goals and six assists in 33 appearances.
Coaches praise Rutten’s speed, intensity and offensive instincts, noting that she models her style after NHL stand‑outs Connor McDavid and Connor Bedard.
Mara Bate and Bianca Curry round out the local contingent, each described as a talented offensive forward — Bate for her explosive speed and Curry for an aggressive forecheck that makes her a nightmare for opponents.
A Rebuilding Year
Last season the Seals struggled, finishing fifth with a modest three wins, but the organization is betting that fresh talent and a more structured development path will turn the tide.
Rutten will billet in Port Alberni this fall, attending practices three nights a week at the Alberni Valley Multiplex while balancing school and her ambition to play college hockey and eventually become a dentist.
The organization also benefits from a pipeline of local players, including Eden Sankey, Kayden Krystalowich and Olivia Reaney, who were part of the 2025‑26 roster and will look to provide depth and experience.