Three Oakville players invited to U18 national women’s hockey team selection camp

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Published December 1, 2021 at 12:30 pm

Oakville Hornets teammates Ava Murphy, left, and Wallis York, right, have been selected to take part in Canada's National Women's Under-18 Selection Camp being held Dec. 26-31 in St. Catharines. OAKVILLE HORNETS IMAGE

Three Oakville hockey players are a big step closer to representing Canada at the upcoming women’s world hockey championships.

Oakville native Reichen Kirchmair and Oakville Hornets teammates Ava Murphy and Wallis York have been selected to take part in Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Selection Camp being held Dec. 26-31 in St. Catharines.

The three will be among the 41 players looking to be named to Canada’s roster for the upcoming 2022 IIHF Hockey U18 Women’s World Championship being held Jan. 8-15 in Linköping and Mjölby, Sweden.

The selection camp will be held at Ridley College and will feature a trio of intrasquad games.

This will mark the fist time in almost two years Canada’s top U18 players will be able to play against international competition.

Due to the ongoing pandemic, the 2021 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship tournament was cancelled last year.

“This is an exciting time for this group of dedicated athletes, who have waited nearly two years for a chance to compete on the international stage,” said Gina Kingsbury, director of hockey operations with Hockey Canada. “We were able to gather together in the summer to train, compete and play some games in a competitive setting.

“With the world championship right around the corner, our athletes and coaching staff are eager for this opportunity to get back on the ice and put our off-ice work into practice, with a goal of representing Canada and competing for a gold medal.”

Kirchmair (photo below) is a forward with the Etobicoke Junior Dolphins of the Provincial Women’s Hockey League (PWHL). The 17-year-old has committed to a scholarship with Providence College in Rhode Island.

“So excited for another opportunity to compete with some of the best in the country,” Kirchmair said on Twitter. “Looking forward to the camp.”

York, a 17-year-old Toronto native, is a forward with the  Hornets (PWHL), while her Oakville teammate Murphy, who hails from Kitchener, is a defenceman.

The talented 16-year-old offensive blueliner was previously selected to be part of Hockey Canada’s & PWHPA’s Scotia Rising Teammates Mentorship Program.

Canada, which is looking to win its first gold medal since 2019, will be competing in Group A along with Finland, Russia and the United States.

They open the tourney against Russia on Jan. 8.

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