Key Takeaways:
- The 2026 U.S. Under-18 Women’s National Team is aiming for gold at the IIHF Under-18 Women’s World Championship, with 10 players returning from last year’s silver medal team.
- Goaltender Morgan Stickney and team captain Maggie Averill are key players to watch, with Stickney bringing experience and Averill providing leadership and a strong work ethic.
- The team features players from diverse backgrounds, including hockey hotbeds like Minnesota and Massachusetts, as well as Texas, Wyoming, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and California.
- Coach Courtney Kennedy emphasizes the importance of teamwork, selflessness, and adaptability in achieving success in the tournament.
- The team is focused on enjoying the moment and taking it one game at a time, with a mindset of relentless hard work and improvement.
Introduction to the 2026 U.S. Under-18 Women’s National Team
The 2026 U.S. Under-18 Women’s National Team is gearing up for the IIHF Under-18 Women’s World Championship, which kicks off on January 10. With 10 players returning from last year’s silver medal team, the Americans are looking to build on their previous success and bring home the gold. Among the returning players is talented goaltender Morgan Stickney, who played every minute of the 2025 tournament and earned media All-Star Team honors. Stickney’s experience and skill in the net will be a significant advantage for Team USA, especially in a field featuring many netminders making their tournament debut.
Maggie Averill: A Leader On and Off the Ice
Maggie Averill, the team captain, is another key player to watch. Averill is a solid and imposing defender who uses her long reach to her advantage, particularly in angling play away from the middle of the ice. She is also a calm and quiet leader who brings a commitment to details on and off the ice. Coach Courtney Kennedy praises Averill’s maturity, selflessness, and work ethic, saying that she sets a prime example for her teammates. Averill’s impact is not limited to her on-ice performance; she also plays a significant role in creating a positive team culture and ensuring that everyone feels heard and included.
Team Dynamics and Player Backgrounds
The U.S. team features players from diverse backgrounds, including hockey hotbeds like Minnesota and Massachusetts, as well as Texas, Wyoming, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and California. This diversity brings different styles of play and paths to the national team, which Coach Kennedy believes is a strength. She loves how each player’s background shapes them and ultimately impacts their teammates. The makeup of this roster shows the growth of girls’ hockey in the U.S. and provides inspiration for young players across the country. As Kennedy says, "This is Team USA. Why not be from everywhere?" This mindset allows players from all over the country to dream big and strive for success.
Coaching Philosophy and Team Strategy
Coach Kennedy’s approach to the tournament is focused on teamwork, selflessness, and adaptability. She does not want to label her lines as first, second, or third; instead, she sees them as interchangeable and strategic deployments based on the team’s needs. Kennedy emphasizes the importance of players working together, learning from each other, and giving 100% effort. She also recognizes that winning gold won’t be easy, with the tournament spanning just nine calendar days and the team potentially playing six games in that time. Despite the challenges, Kennedy is confident in her team’s ability to grow and improve game-to-game and shift-to-shift.
Mindset and Preparation
The team is focused on enjoying the moment and taking it one game at a time. Averill notes that there is no perfect tournament, and the team needs to be prepared for ups and downs. She emphasizes the importance of staying calm and composed, even in the face of mistakes. As Averill says, "You’re going to make a mistake, but how you react and move forward is what matters most." This mindset, combined with the team’s relentless hard work and commitment to improvement, will be crucial in their pursuit of gold. With their diverse backgrounds, talented players, and strong team culture, the 2026 U.S. Under-18 Women’s National Team is poised for success in the IIHF Under-18 Women’s World Championship.