For the past decade or two, age and experience have played into the hands of the Sudbury U18 AA Lady Wolves.

Where most of the remainder of the province would see their top end 15 and 16 year old female hockey players take their shot at cracking the roster of one of the boatload of teams in the Ontario Women’s Hockey League U22 Elite league – successfully so, far more often than not – the locals could often count on receiving three years of service from the very best players in Sudbury.

Things have changed.

Now, more than ever before, northern Ontario girls are heading south in order to compete with the best of the best – and be seen in what is easily the most heavily-scouted pre-university female hockey league on the planet.

That, combined with the fact that the rise in skill in young female prospects continues to ascend quite quickly means that long-time Sudbury & District Girls Hockey Association head coach André Brunette is taking a relatively young team into battle this year, with only a quartet of third year U18 ahtletes among the 17 player roster.

Not that he is particularly concerned.

“We probably have a little bit more skill, overall, than we have generally had,” said Brunette on Friday, his crew heading off for media picture at Dynamic Earth. “And the gap between all of the players is really close. We have a strong group of younger palayers from U15.”

While the team has lost sniper Ella Sabourin to the Mississauga U22 Hurricanes, there remains a greater expectation than ever that 14 and 15 year-old talent can fill the void – with Sabourin leading the team in scoring while suiting up as an underager in 2025-2026.

Alyssa Bryant will be among those who should be up to the challenge.

“I feel like I am very good offensively but need to work on my defensive zone,” said the 15 year old grade 10 student at St Charles College who was joined by teammate and goaltender Kloe Rienguette in being selected to compete at the recent Ontario Summer Games*.

(* forward Lia Gallo was also on hand, representing the North Eastern Golf Tour at the festivities in Kitchener-Waterloo)

“I like to play in their zone, pass to everybody and hopefully get to the net,” added Bryant.

With thoughts of post-secondary options beginning to jump far more into focus, the speedy, hard-working Sudbury forward recognizes that contiuning to work her game, on a daily basis, is crtical to the process at hand.

“I am working on my strength, being stronger on the puck,” she said. “Hopefully focusing on it, doing it in practice and working out will help. And I have to work on staying back more. I always want to get the puck and just go. There are times I need to stay, curl low and support the puck down low.”

While coach Brunette and staff are sure to emphasize the need to play the right way with so many new faces on hand, they will also rely on those veterans who have been through the process to support the messenging, as well.

“Being one of the older ones on the team, the younger ones look up to you now,” said 17 year-old third year forward Ryann Chevrier, who actually transitioned from beginning as a defenceman with the team two years ago to jumping up on the attack last year.

That is where she returns, along with seniors Joely Angus, Leah Salo and Avery Mininni. “I learned a lot about the position last year so this year, I know where to be and hopefully will score a few more goals,” said Chevrier.

For as much as she might pipe in occasionally with regards to specific strategic aspects of the game, her primary focus as a team leader lies far more in helping the newcomers feel comfortable. “It’s about cheering your teammates, always being positive, making the hockey arena a good environment,” she said.

“You want to try and forget about everything else when you are on the ice and have fun while you’re here.”

Traditionally one of the stronger U18 AA outfits in Ontario, Ryann Chevrier doesn’t see any reason why things should change in Sudbury in 2026-2027.

“We’re a fast team, so we can use that to our advantage,” she said. “It’s a great group of girls. I think it’s going to be a good year.” Coach Brunette certainly hopes so.

The man who has guided this group many times over is still in search of a first ever visit to the Esso Cup nationals – just one of the reasons that keeps him coming back. “I enjoy this level of hockey, I enjoy the girls, I enjoy working with a good group of coaches.”

Though Brunette could assemble a season long plan in his sleep, he is also not the least bit adverse to adjusting the methodology given the talent at his disposal. “We will focus a little more on systems earlier in the year, just because our overall skill level is higher,” he said. “We’ll be able to jump into that a little bit quicker.”

“I don’t think we have to spend quite as much time on the skills as we have in the past. Most of them have their own individual skills coach.”

With that, of course, comes the need to ensure that the message is clear: skill is allowed to emerge, as long as it’s displayed within the team concept.

“We continue to preach that the better we do as a team, the more opportunities will come for all of the players,” said Brunette. “More team success equals more success individually.”

Rounding out the 2026-2027 Sudbury U18 AA team roster are goaltender Brielle Theberge, defensemen Ryan Snow, Hannah Adler, Trinity Cheechoo, Sabrina Joanisse, Rowan Frood, Maelle White and forwards Aleah Restoule, Alexie Miller and Hailee Losier Paradis.

The team staff features assistant coaches Gerry Dupuis, Jason Scott, Taylor Scott, assistant coach/trainer Elissa Bertuzzi, trainer/manager Tommie Recollet, Kevin Miller (manager), goalie coach Bruce McDougall and Sam Hossack (social media).