Chloe Primerano, the 17-year-old defender “with infinite ceiling” | Did you see?

Second game of the Canada-United States Rivalry Series. Shootouts are necessary to decide the winner. In the fifth round, the last Canadian to be sent to center ice is the younger of the two teams.

Not at all intimidated by the situation, the young defender made a masterful feint to thwart the American goalkeeper and give victory to her country.

Chloe Primerano est the real little gem of the Canadian team, says analyst Stéphanie Poirier, director of women’s hockey and development at Hockey Québec, without restraint.

Start of the Twitter widget. Skip the widget?End of Twitter widget. Return to start of widget?

She also impressed her new teammate Marie-Philip Poulin, captain of the team and legend of the sport. I found it truly remarkable.she mentioned to - Sports, on the sidelines of the start of the Victoire de Montréal training camp. I already knew her, I had seen her on video in her university matches and at the under-18 world championships. But seeing her in person is something. To see his passion, his desire to learn.

At 17, Primerano became the youngest defender in history after Cheryl Pounder (1994 World Cup) to be named to Team Canada, when she was selected for the first three games of the Rivalry Series .

When you play defense, the workload is greater. It always takes a little longer to develop a defendersays Poirier, who is also an analyst for Professional Women’s Hockey League (LPHF) matches on -.

Other attackers have worn the maple leaf jersey at a young age, such as Hayley Wickenheiser at 15 in 1994 and Poulin at 18 in 2009.

It was a different era of hockey. In this era, it’s abnormal to see a 17-year-old player with the national teaminsists Poirier.

Primerano, however, has nothing more to prove at the junior level.

The North Vancouver native dominated the last competition reserved for under-18s. She scored 16 points in 6 games, a record for a guard. For comparison, the first pick in the last LPHF draft, Sarah Fillier, had five points in six games at the same tournament at the same age.

She has all the attributes. Physically, skating, shooting, puck handling. She is the first player who can be described as generational in a very long time. I can’t remember a defender who was so dominant in all aspects of the game.

Its ceiling is infinite. She has all the assets. When we talk about a player who has the total packagethat’s really it. It’s impressive to see her perform at this level, and not against just anyone, against the Americansadds Poirier.

Chloe Primerano’s performance wasn’t just about her shootout goal. She was paired on a few occasions with veteran Jocelyne Larocque and did well in all situations.

It’s a breath of fresh air for the Canadian team, which isn’t getting any younger, says Poirier with joy.

She is a player with exceptional vision. It’s clear that we’re going to have her for many years with the Canadian team and that she’s going to have a big impact on women’s hockey in general.indicates goalkeeper Ann-Renée Desbiens, who was her teammate during the three international matches.

Primerano counts Vancouver Canucks star defenseman Quinn Hughes as his idol. There were also numerous comparisons with Cale Makar to qualify his game.

Stéphanie Poirier especially sees similarities with Roman Josi, of the Nashville Predators. She’s a left-hander, with a good build. Maybe not the same agility as Makar, but a complete style of play, with undeniable offensive skills.

She also has a good attitude. She is smiling, she is in a good moodadds Desbiens, in preparation for his second year in front of the Victoire net.

Words which echo those of his Beauceron captain.

Yes, she is very talented, we saw her with her shootout goal. But what I really remember about her is her work ethic, her desire to learn. It’s not just talentsays Poulin.

Towards the NCAA and the Olympics

The British Columbia player, a veritable breeding ground for talent who has produced other prodigies like Connor Bedard and Macklin Celebrini in recent years, continues her journey south of the border at the same time.

She decided to begin her academic career at the age of 17 with the University of Minnesota.

Chloe Primerano made headlines when she became the first skater drafted by a Canadian Junior Hockey League team in May 2022. The Vancouver Giants made her their 13th round (268th overall) draft pick. of the Western League.

And the echoes I heard was that she did well during the training camps toomentions Poirier, who would have liked to see her complete her training in the country rather than going into exile. It’s always disappointing to see our gems leave the country. But she is still a player who was developed here, in Western Canada. But she’s going to join a very good program with Minnesota.

Open in full screen mode

She has so far amassed 6 points in 10 games with the Gophers, who will also host this season the prestigious Frozen Four, the NCAA end-of-year tournament.

She will have four years of eligibility there. It will serve him well, thinks Poirier. Afterwards, she will be the big favorite to be drafted first overall in the LPHF. She will certainly have the physical profile to go from academic to pro quickly.

In the meantime, she will have the opportunity to shine for Team Canada at the World Championship and possibly at the Olympic Games. A successful audition during the Rivalry Series would allow him to consolidate his place in an already well-stocked brigade.

I think we should give him this chance, to quickly experience the Olympic experience. Now, teams can bring 25 players rather than 23 in the past. Why not bring a young person and allow her to gain volume and baggage? It’s experience that can’t be bought elsewhere, and it will serve him well, even if it means making him play a few fewer matches, perhaps.said the analyst.

At the time, they had made a place for Marie-Philip Poulin at 18 years old, at the Vancouver Games. I don’t think they regretted itmentions Poirier, referring to the golden goals scored by Poulin in the grand final.

In the meantime, the Rivalry Series will resume in February with the final two games, which will be presented in Canada, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. Canada leads two victories to one.