By Nicholas Pescod via Hockey Canada

It’s a rematch on the Prairies as familiar foes go toe-to-toe for the West Region berth at the 2024 Esso Cup in Vernon, B.C.

After a decade without an appearance at the Esso Cup, the Regina Rebels have a chance to make their second-straight trip to the Women’s U18 National Club Championship after capturing the Saskatchewan Female U18 AAA Hockey League (SFU18AAAHL) championship. The Rebels closed the regular season with 20 wins in a row and were perfect in the playoffs, sweeping the Battleford Sharks and Notre Dame Hounds.

The Winnipeg Ice are looking for their first-ever trip to the Esso Cup after winning the Manitoba Female Hockey League (MFHL) title for a second year in a row. Much like Regina, Winnipeg swept its way to the regional series, knocking off the Central Plains Capitals, Yellowhead Chiefs and Westman Wildcats in three games each.

RECENT CHAMPIONS (ESSO CUP FINISH)

2023 – Regina Rebels (bronze medal)
2022 – Notre Dame Hounds (3rd place)
2019 – Saskatoon Stars (4th place)
2018 – Saskatoon Stars (silver medal)
2017 – Prince Albert Bears (5th place)

REGINA REBELS
SFU18AAAHL CHAMPIONS

Regular season record: 27-3-0 (1st in SFU18AAAHL)
Goals for: 151
Goals against: 50
Leading scorer: Stryker Zablocki (40G 25A 65P)

Playoff record: 4-0
Goals for: 21
Goals against: 12
Leading scorer: Stryker Zablocki (7G 6A 13P)

ROAD TO THE WEST REGIONAL
Semifinal: defeated Battlefords Sharks 2-0 (5-4, 5-4)
Final: defeated Notre Dame Hounds 2-0 (7-3, 4-1)

Last national championship appearance: 2023 (bronze medal)
Total national championship appearances: 3 (2010, 2013, 2023)

WINNIPEG ICE
MFHL CHAMPIONS

Regular season record: 20-4-4 (1st in MFHL)
Goals for: 91
Goals against: 48
Leading scorer: Stephanie Jacob (31G 14A 45P)

Playoff record: 9-0
Goals for: 32
Goals against: 12
Leading scorer: Stephanie Jacob (9G 5A 14P)

ROAD TO THE WEST REGIONAL
Quarterfinal: defeated Central Plains Capitals 3-0 (6-0, 1-0, 3-0)
Semifinal: defeated Yellowhead Chiefs 3-0 (4-3 OT, 4-3, 4-0)
Final: defeated Westman Wildcats 3-0 (3-2 2OT, 5-3, 2-1)

Last national championship appearance: none
Total national championship appearances: none