Chatham-Kent Hockey Prospects: Women’s Edition

If you’ve been reading CKSN in recent months, you’ll see our scouting and prospect information has greatly increased. With that, we’re set to return and increase our women’s hockey analysis as well.

Below you’ll find our top local women’s hockey prospects. To be considered for this list, a player cannot already be committed to, or playing for an NCAA or USports program, making players like Jessie McPherson, Emma Gorski, and Kaitlyn Isaac alumni of the list, not current members.

Also, players must be primarily born and raised in Chatham-Kent, not just having played in Chatham-Kent, keeping players like Rylee Stohm, Sarah Marchand, and Brooke Campbell off our list, despite the fact they are talented Chatham hockey alumni.

Here is a rundown of the top local women’s hockey prospects:

1. Taryn Jacobs – 2004 – Chatham – Southwest Wildcats, PWHL – Smooth skating with the ability to control the pace and flow of a game from the blueline. Her talent is the real deal. Having a strong rookie season with the PWHL’s Southwest as a 2004. Jacobs is always in control of the ice, and drives the play with a strong North-South puck movement game. Whether she’s skating the puck up, jumping into the play, or it’s a first pass, Jacobs’ decision making and play reading is next level already.

2. Brooke Michaud – 2003 – Charing Cross – Southwest Wildcats, PWHL – Having a good first season at the PWHL level. Always an offensive threat, Michaud can control the puck in tight spaces, and finds gaps in the play to create her chances. When she has the puck on her stick in the slot, she can finish. Has excelled at every level, and will be fielding numerous University invitations.

3. Brenna Dittmer – 2004 – Chatham – Southwest Wildcats, PWHL – Great hands, with game breaking potential. She has the flash and creativity that most can’t acquire. Improving by the game with PWHL’s Southwest Wildcats as a 2004, and has made leaps since playing Bantam ‘AA’ with Bluewater last season. On an upward trajectory.

4. Natalie Bray – 2004 – Chatham – Bluewater Hawks, PWHL – Gains her chances through winning puck battles, and playing in hard areas, not through flash. Another 2004 playing in the PWHL, Bray is a leader on a weak Bluewater Hawks team. She plays with tenacity, and has a high compete level.

5. Kate Martin – 2004 – Wallaceburg – Bluewater Hawks, Midget ‘AA’ – Plays the game with tempo. A strong skater, who is an excellent player in both ends. Skating at the Midget ‘AA’ level as a first year Midget, but can take a step up next season, having already AP’d with Bluewater’s PWHL entry. Versatility and skating are the strong suit of this player, who is already thinking the game one step ahead.

Honourable Mention

Cassie Whiteye (2002 – Thamesville – Bluewater Hawks, PWHL) is a heads up player, who sees the ice well, and isn’t afraid to engage physically. Well rounded and has shown improved playmaking skills, and an ability to finish. Whiteye is definitely capable of playing at the USports level. Abby Stonehouse is a 2006 skater who plays with a level of determination and focus. Has been a role player at the Minor Bantam ‘AAA’ level with the Chatham-Kent Cyclones, but made a late season move to girls hockey, which will allow her offensive game to grow. Likely destined for Midget ‘AA’ as an underage player next year before continuing to climb the hockey ladder.

Along with these players, there are several 2004’s on Chatham-Kent’s Midget ‘AA’ Crush team worth watching, as well as a handful of up and comers with the Bantam ‘A’ Crush, 2-3 of whom will make the jump to ‘AA’ as first year midget players next season.

List Alumni: Meredith Goldhawk (Windsor Lancers, OUA), Zoe Ellis (Windsor Lancers, OUA), Rachael Tricker (Fanshawe Falcons, OCCCR), Sydney Authier (Ryerson Rams, OUA), Sydnee Baker (Western Mustangs, OUA), Jillian Crane (Neumann Knights, NCAA D3), Halle Crane (Neumann Knights, NCAA D3), Lauren Nicholson (Ryerson Rams, OUA), Madison Lalonde (Ryerson Rams, OUA), Renae Nevills (Western Mustangs, OUA), Katreena Whiteye (Brock Badgers, OUA), Emma Gorski (Merrimack Warriors, NCAA D1), Kaitlyn Isaac (Cornell Big Red, NCAA D1), Jessie McPherson (Vermont Catamounts, NCAA D1), Kirsten Horney (Adrian Bulldogs, ACHA), Marandee Hunter (St. Thomas Tommies, AUS)