HALIFAX, Nova Scotia – Defender Maggie Averill (Wayland, Mass.) has been named captain of the 2026 U.S. Under-18 Women’s National Team that will compete at the 2026 IIHF Under-18 Women’s World Championship Jan. 10-18 in Sydney and Membertou, Nova Scotia. 

Joining Averill as alternate captains are forwards Kylie Amelkovich (Glen Ellyn, Ill.) and Maddy Kimbrel (Mound, Minn.). 

Averill is a three-time U.S. Under-18 Women’s National Team member, having played an integral part of the defensive core during the 2024 and 2025 tournaments, where Team USA won gold and silver respectively. Amelkovich and Kimbrel were also members of the 2025 edition of the team.