A pair of players from Richmond will be in B.C. colours when the 2013 National Women's U18 Hockey Championships get underway on Wednesday in Calgary.
Blueliner Jodi Gentile has stepped away from her regular duties with provincial Midget AAA champion Fraser Valley Phantoms to play for her province, while Leah Lum will be playing up front for B.C. Lum captained the Richmond Ravens to the provincial Midget AA title last spring and is currently with the Richmond-based Pacific Steelers.
The U18 Nationals bring together the best female hockey players born in 1996 or later. The tournament serves as an important platform for Hockey Canada scouts, led by general manager of National Women's
Team programs Melody Davidson, who will evaluate candidates for the Canadian contingent that will compete at the 2014 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 Women's World Championship in Budapest, Hungary in March.
Eight provincial and regional entries will face off for the champipnship. Defending gold medallist Ontario Blue will play in Group A, along with Team Atlantic, B.C. and Quebec, while Group B consists of last year's silver medallist Manitoba, bronze medallist Ontario Red, Alberta and Saskatchewan.
The 2013 Nationals mark the first time Alberta has hosted the event since its inception in 2001. The tournament is held annually, although it is replaced by the Canada Winter Games every four years.
