Top 10 standouts from 2026 IIHF Under-18 Women’s Worlds

The future looks bright for women’s hockey.

Over eight days in Nova Scotia, many rising stars shone at the 2026 IIHF Under-18 Women’s World Championship. Many were part of Team USA, which defeated Canada in the gold medal game on Sunday, bringing home the country’s 10th championship in the event. Along with the plethora of NCAA-bound players from North America, a few youngsters from around the continent and beyond really impressed in the tournament.

Let’s take a look at 10 players who stood out at the U-18s:

1. Jane Daley, F (USA)

We had grown accustomed to seeing younger players shine in this tournament, especially with how good Nela Lopušanová has been over her career (more on her later), but there’s no question: Jane Daley was an unstoppable force. Playing on a line with Kyle Amelkovich and Madelyn Kimbrel, Daley couldn’t stop scoring. The 16-year-old scored a hat trick in all three games of the group stage, potting three more in the quarterfinal and semifinal wins over Hungary and Sweden to break Haley Skarupa’s 14-year-old record for most goals in a single tournament.

Daley was the unquestionable MVP of the tournament. Even with such a stacked team around her, the Massachusetts native showed her dynamic speed and awareness (along with a wicked release) that certainly left college scouts and coaches in attendance knowing they need to do what they must to get her to join their program.

2. Maggie Averill, D (USA)

In her third and final U-18s, Averill showed how important experience and development can be. The U.S. captain utilized her size and skating to make her an unbeatable presence in her own zone. She also flourished offensively. After scoring just three points over the past two tournaments, the 17-year-old scored six goals and eight assists for 14 points in the six games, leading all blueliners in scoring, finishing tied for fourth in points among all skaters.

Currently, Averill is committed to playing at Princeton in 2027, a program looking to return to prominence. If she continues to grow and develop as a two-way defender, she will stand out at the next level, and possibly beyond.

3. Adrianna Milani, F (Canada)

Though Canada came up short of winning a second straight gold medal, it hardly took away from Milani’s incredible performance. A member of the stacked Etobicoke Dolphins in the OWHL, the Oakville native was exciting to watch in her first U-18s. Milani matched Caitlin Kraemer’s record for most goals by a Canadian in a single tournament, as she scored 10 goals, along with 13 points, in six games.

Named to the Media All-Star Team, the 16-year-old scored in a variety of ways throughout the tournament, helping bolster Canada’s scoring attack. Six of Milani’s tallies came in the knockout stage, including four in the quarterfinal win over Finland. Like Daley, Milani can play for Canada again in next year’s tournament, and is going to be a sought-after prospect by college teams.

4. Bianca Birrittieri, G (USA)

The hero of the gold medal game more than proved that she is ready for the next level. Bianca Birrittieri was tabbed by head coach Courtney Kennedy for the final, despite having Morgan Stickney, the team’s starter in 2025, on the roster. Even though Birrittieri faced just 41 shots in her first three games, she was outstanding against Canada on Sunday night, stopping all 38 shots she faced.

The Providence commit ended up allowing just two goals on 79 shots she faced in four games, leading all goaltenders in save percentage (.975) and goals-against average (0.50). It can be hard for an American goaltender to stand out when the team in front of her is dominating the competition, but how the Texas native came up clutch when it mattered most shows she already has an intangible that puts her above her peers.

5. Sofia Ismael, F (Canada)

Ismael was so much fun to watch this year. You could tell she had potential last year in Finland, and with how she was played with Etobicoke heading into the tournament, you knew she could light things up on the world stage. The St. George, Ont. native was creating and finishing throughout the tournament, leading the team with seven goals and eight assists for 15 points, finishing tied for second among skaters in scoring. She was also named to the Media All-Star Team.

The Penn State commit has the creativity that makes her a dynamic force, using her vision to generate scoring chances at a high rate. If she continues to light up the OWHL, and be a key part in the Nittany Lions’ future, Ismael will be a name we’ll talk about for years to come.

6. Nela Lopusanova, F (Slovakia)

The only true disappointment was that Lopušanová wasn’t able to set the all-time goals and points record at the U-18s with a Michigan, the style of goal that put her on the scene. Yet, the Wisconsin commit capped off her career in the tournament in style. She dragged Slovakia out of the relegation zone, scoring six goals and seven points in four games, including four in a win over Finland. She tied Kendall Coyne Schofield for the most goals (22) and points (33) by a player at the U-18s.

The 17-year-old has used this tournament as a launching pad to become a widely known prospect and a name many expect to talk about for a long time. Lopušanová is not only doing her part to make Slovakia competitive at the U-18s, but at the senior level as well. What has made her such a notable name among most circles is how she’s been able to perform on the international stage with such little support around her. Just wait until she has talent around her in Madison.

7. Megan Mossey, D (Canada)

Canada’s best blueliner in the tournament, Mossey made a solid first impression for her country. For a player who has 50 points in 30 games with the Dolphins in OWHL play, the 16-year-old was able to be a significant piece of the Canadian roster at both ends of the rink. Along with a stagnant defense in her own zone, Mossey’s eye for jumping in on the offensive end led her to finish second among rearguards in scoring with 11 points.

The Charlottetown, P.E.I. native also posted a plus/minus of +14, third among defenders in the tournament. She isn’t the biggest player on the ice, but she plays stout defense, and she plays the body efficiently and legally. She’s going to be someone worth watching in the near future.

8. Norina Schrupkowski, G (Switzerland)

While she wasn’t able to get her team to the final four, Schrupkowski stood on her head for a Swiss team that was outmatched for most of its tournament. Another bright 16-year-old, the GC Küsnacht Lions U-18 backstop played in all four games, allowing 10 goals on 159 shots. She posted a shutout in Switzerland’s lone win over Hungary to round out the group stage, and almost stole the quarterfinal against the eventual bronze medalists in Czechia.

In that quarterfinal matchup, Schrupkowski stopped 40 of the 42 shots she faced, but came up short in a 2-1 loss. Nevertheless, she was named the tourney’s top netminder, posting a .937 SV%, which was second to Birrittieri. While Andrea Braendli has been Switzerland’s star netminder for years, there might be a solid future between the pipes with Schrupkowski.

9. Tereza Gildainova, F (Czechia)

One of the driving forces behind Czechia’s bronze-medal performance, Gildainova scored a few big goals in Nova Scotia. She potted what ended up being the game-winner in the quarters against Switzerland, notching a couple more goals in the team’s tournament-opening win over Finland. One of the many Europeans playing AAA hockey in the U.S. – a member of Lovell Academy in Massachusetts – Gildainova has made her case why she could be a future member of the senior national team, as well as being a key player at Cornell very soon.

The 17-year-old is part of the massive wave of Czech talent slowly taking over the women’s game, and Gildainova’s efforts in this year’s tournament have certainly put her name on the map. Her skill, hands and speed make her a very intriguing prospect.

10. Tilde Grillfors, F (Sweden)

Sweden might have come just short of winning its first medal since 2023, but that didn’t take away from a solid performance from Grillfors. The Brynäs IF center built off a solid “rookie” campaign at last year’s U-18s, leading Tre Kronor with four goals and three assists for seven points. Grillfors has the ability to put herself in the right position to score, while also being aware of where her teammates are to create opportunities.

Her seven points are the most by a Swede since Ebba Hedqvist notched 10 points in 2024. Two of the 17-year-old’s markers came in the medal round, as she scored in the team’s quarterfinal win over Slovakia. Set to join a strong program at Ohio State, Grillfors is projected to be a key member of the senior national team in the coming years.

Read more women’s hockey stories at DFO