The 2026 girls New England District tryouts are upon us.
This weekend, 304 of the region's top players across the 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 birth years will take over the New England Sports Center.
Players will be competing for spots in USA Hockey's national player development camps this summer.
The ’09s and ’10s will compete for spots at National 16/17 Camp, as well as the Under-18 Women’s National Team Festival. The ’11s will compete for spots at National 15 Camp and the U18 WNT Festival. Any 2011 players not selected for National 15 Camp are eligible for the Eastern 15 Camp.
For many of the uncommitted '09s and '10s, it's another chance to boost their stock, whether they're rising seniors or juniors. The rising juniors, specifically, will become eligible to commit this summer. We'll focus on rising seniors and juniors in this article.
Here are 15 uncommitted '09s and '10s to watch at the New England District tryouts.
Maria Gilshannon
Frederick Gunn/Mid Fairfield CT Stars, 01/2009, F, left shot, 5-6
Hometown: Fairfield, Conn.
Gilshannon has been one of Frederick Gunn's top producers over the last two seasons, leading the Highlanders to the Small School tournament both years. She put up 21 points (11 goals) in 27 games as a sophomore before leading the team with 14 goals as part of a 23-point junior season. The rising senior plays with compete, gets to middle ice and uses her strength effectively in 1-on-1s.
NEW ENGLAND DISTRICT: Here are the rosters for the 2026 girls tryouts
Nora Wilson
Groton/East Coast Wizards, 7/21/2009, G, catches left, 5-9
Hometown: Weybridge, Vt.
Wilson is coming off two strong seasons as Groton's starter. She put up a .935 save percentage as a sophomore, backstopping the Zebras' Elite 8 berth, before leading Groton to a Small School title as a junior. She finished with a .944 save percentage, and she earned Small School tournament MVP after allowing one goal in three playoff games. The rising senior has good size at 5-foot-9 and reacts well in the crease.
Liza Demain
St. Paul's/Valley Jr. Warriors, 09/2009, F, right shot, 5-10
Hometown: Wolfeboro, N.H.
Demain took a big step as a sophomore this season, putting up 14 points (five goals) after just three points (two goals) as a freshman. Demain uses her size to her advantage on the forecheck and makes life difficult for opposing defenders. She clogs lanes with her reach and can finish chances around the net. Demain, a rising junior, made last season's 16/17 Camp. Her older sister, Tessa, is a rising junior forward at Boston University.
Natasha Godfrey
Brooks/Valley Jr. Warriors, 04/2009, F, right shot
Hometown: Scarborough, Maine
After standing out at North Yarmouth Academy for two seasons, Godfrey reclassified and made a big impact as a sophomore on a young Brooks team this winter. She posted a career-high 19 points (six goals) after two seasons apiece with 12 points at NYA. The rising junior's skating allows her to drive offense and create chances off the rush.
MASS. FESTIVAL: Here are the rosters for the 2026 Mass. Hockey girls festival
Amaya McNeil
Loomis Chaffee, 6/15/2010, D, right shot, 5-5
Hometown: Fairfield, Conn.
McNeil had eight points (one goal) as a sophomore in her debut prep season with Loomis, playing key minutes on the blue line en route to an Elite 8 title. The rising junior was terrific on regroups, making a good first pass and getting quick-ups. She and fellow sophomore Mia Lynch were trusted a lot down the stretch. She'll likely be in line for a premier role next season.
Raven Bennett
Frederick Gunn/Mid Fairfield CT Stars, 07/2010, D, left shot, 5-8
Hometown: Morris, Conn.
Bennett broke out for 24 points (13 goals), leading Frederick Gunn in scoring as a sophomore. It was a big uptick from her six points (one goal) as a freshman. Bennett is unafraid to push the pace in transition and is confident with the puck on her stick. The rising junior uses her size effectively in the defensive zone. Bennett made last summer's 15 Camp.
Karli Charron
Choate/Mid Fairfield CT Stars, 07/2009, D, right shot, 5-8
Hometown: Darien, Conn.
After eight points (two goals) as a freshman at Choate, Charron had three points (one goal) as a sophomore. The rising junior is mobile and can turn defense into offense. She's also effective with her reach, playing with a quick stick and clogging lanes.
LATEST MAGAZINE:Â Check out the March/April 2026 edition of New England Hockey Journal
Sammi Ruzzo
St. Mark's/Mass. Spitfires, 2009, F, right shot
Hometown: North Smithfield, R.I.
Ruzzo had a career season for St. Mark's, posting 16 points (eight goals). It more than tripled her freshman year output of five points (two goals). Ruzzo was among a crop of underclassmen at St. Mark's that made an impact with their speed and skill. She gets to middle ice and drives hard to the net.
Lindsey Kunzelmann
Taft/Connecticut Polar Bears, 4/27/2009, F, right shot
Hometown: Avon, Conn.
After just four points (one goal) as a freshman, Kunzelmann led Taft with 12 goals this season as part of a 21-point campaign. Kunzelmann has a strong frame that allows her to protect pucks off the rush. She's a confident puck carrier in the neutral zone and has a solid shot.
Audra Custance
New Hampton/Boston Americans, 2009, F, right shot
Hometown: Campton, N.H.
Custance took advantage of more ice time this season, posting 12 goals (four points) as a sophomore after three points (one goal) as a freshman. Her speed makes her a factor as she accelerates quickly with strong strides, facilitating transition for New Hampton.
BOYS BEST OF NEW ENGLAND: Top 50 ’07s | Top 50 ’08s | Top 50 ’09s | ’10s to watch
Maggie Lyden
Greenwich Academy/Connecticut Polar Bears, 05/2009, F, right shot
Hometown: Stamford, Conn.
Lyden is coming off two productive seasons at Greenwich Academy. She had 21 points (16 goals) in 12 games as a sophomore, following 16 points (eight goals) in 19 games as a freshman. The rising junior has good hands around the net and can finish.
Charlotte Matusovich
Groton/East Coast Wizards, 05/2009, F, left shot, 5-7
Hometown: New Gloucester, Maine
After three seasons with NYA, Matusovich reclassified and was a key piece for Groton's forward group. She had 15 points (five goals) as a sophomore for the Zebras, following 10 points (five goals), 19 points (nine goals) and two goals over the previous three seasons. Matusovich's ability to find open space in the slot and finish around the net makes her effective in the attacking end.
Caroline Matusovich
Groton/East Coast Wizards, 05/2009, D, left shot, 5-7
Hometown: New Gloucester, Maine
Matusovich joined her twin at Groton this season, putting up five points (two goals). She put up 10 points (eight goals), seven points (one goal) and 10 points (three goals) in her three seasons at NYA. With Groton, her second goal was the biggest of the season, breaking a scoreless stalemate in the Small School championship as Groton went on to win, 1-0. She turned defense into offense, leading a 2-on-1 rush and burying her own rebound. Matusovich, who made 16/17 Camp last summer, impacts play in all three zones. She has a quick stick and keeps plays alive out high.
GIRLS BEST OF NEW ENGLAND: Top 50 ’07s | Top 50 ’08s | Top 50 ’09s | ’10s to watch
Ava Souza
Berwick/Assabet Valley, 2010, F, left shot
Hometown: Portsmouth, N.H.
Souza has put up good production in each of her first three seasons at Berwick. She continues to get stronger and can drive offense. She led the Bulldogs with 25 points (11 goals) in 25 games as a sophomore this season, following 12 points (eight goals) as a freshman and 20 points (eight goals) as an eighth-grader.
Al Hartmann
Phillips Andover/Connecticut Polar Bears, 02/2010, D/F, right shot, 5-4
Hometown: Castine, Maine
Hartmann has mostly played in a depth role on strong Andover teams the last two seasons. Whenever I saw the Big Blue this season, she made the most of her shifts, forcing turnovers and creating offense off the forecheck. She posted nine points (three goals) as a sophomore after two points (one goal) as a freshman. The rising junior is versatile, too. As a forward, Hartmann creates offense off the forecheck and forces turnovers. Hartmann made last summer's 15 Camp.
