Key Takeaways
- The 2026 IIHF Under-18 Women’s World Championship will feature eight New England natives on the U.S. roster, including seven from Massachusetts.
- Several local skaters have key experience in the tournament, including Maggie Averill, Jane Daley, Annabelle Lovell, and Tina Scalese.
- Team USA has medaled in all 17 editions of the tournament, including nine gold medals, and will compete in Group B against Czechia, Slovakia, and Finland.
- The U.S. schedule includes pre-tournament and preliminary round games, as well as potential quarterfinal, semifinal, and medal games.
- New England players on the U.S. roster include Maggie Averill, Jane Daley, Annabelle Lovell, Tina Scalese, and others, listed alphabetically by last name.
Introduction to the Tournament
The IIHF Under-18 Women’s World Championship is a prestigious international ice hockey tournament that brings together the best young female players from around the world. This year, the tournament will be held in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, from January 10-18, 2026. New England has a strong tradition of producing talented female hockey players, and this year is no exception. Eight New England natives have been selected to represent the United States in the tournament, including seven from Massachusetts. These players will join a team that has a rich history of success, having medaled in all 17 editions of the tournament, including nine gold medals.
Experience and Leadership
Several of the New England players on the U.S. roster have key experience in the tournament, which will be invaluable as they compete against the best teams from around the world. Maggie Averill, from Wayland, Massachusetts, is looking for a third straight medal after winning gold in 2024 and earning silver in 2025. Jane Daley, from Medfield, Massachusetts, Annabelle Lovell, from Hingham, Massachusetts, and Tina Scalese, from West Boylston, Massachusetts, also earned silver in 2025. This experience will be crucial as the team navigates the challenges of the tournament, including the preliminary round, quarterfinals, semifinals, and potential medal games.
Tournament Schedule
The U.S. team will compete in Group B, along with Czechia, Slovakia, and Finland. The tournament schedule includes a pre-tournament game against Czechia on January 7, followed by preliminary round games against Slovakia, Czechia, and Finland. The team will then move on to the quarterfinals, semifinals, and potential medal games, depending on their performance in the preliminary round. The schedule is as follows:
Jan. 7: USA vs. Czechia, 3:40 p.m. ET (pre-tournament game)
Jan. 10: USA vs. Slovakia, 9 a.m. ET (preliminary round)
Jan. 11: USA vs. Czechia, 5 p.m. ET (preliminary)
Jan. 13: USA vs. Finland, 12:30 p.m. ET (preliminary)
Jan. 15: Quarterfinals, 9 a.m./12:30 p.m./4 p.m./7:30 p.m. ET (if necessary)
Jan. 17: Semifinals, 3 p.m./6:30 p.m. ET (if necessary)
Jan. 18: Bronze Medal Game, 2:30 p.m. ET (if necessary)
Jan. 18: Gold Medal Game, 6:30 p.m. ET (if necessary)
New England Players on the U.S. Roster
The eight New England natives on the U.S. roster, listed alphabetically by last name, are a talented and dedicated group of players. They include Maggie Averill, Jane Daley, Annabelle Lovell, Tina Scalese, and others. These players have worked hard to earn their place on the team and will be representing not only themselves, but also their families, schools, and communities. With their experience, skill, and determination, they will be a key part of the U.S. team’s success in the tournament.
Conclusion
The 2026 IIHF Under-18 Women’s World Championship promises to be an exciting and competitive tournament, with the best young female hockey players from around the world competing for gold. With eight New England natives on the U.S. roster, including seven from Massachusetts, the region will be well-represented. The team’s experience, leadership, and talent will be crucial as they navigate the challenges of the tournament and strive for a medal. Fans from New England and across the United States will be cheering them on as they compete in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, from January 10-18, 2026.