WINNIPEG, MB – Hockey Manitoba is pleased to announce the roster for our Program of Excellence’s (POE) Women’s U18 Team Manitoba for the 2025 National Women’s U18 Championship.

U18 Team Manitoba’s roster will compete at the 2025 National Women’s U18 Championship which is scheduled to take place in Mount Pearl and Conception Bay South, Newfoundland and Labrador, from November 2-8, 2025.

U18 Team Manitoba’s roster consists of twelve (12) forwards, six (6) defenders, and two (2) goaltenders.

Leading U18 Team Manitoba behind the bench is Karissa Kirkup (Brandon), who was recently an Assistant Coach for U18 Team Manitoba at the 2024 National Women’s U18 Championship. This is Karissa’s third year as a coach within the Women’s U18 POE program. Kirkup is currently in her first season as the Head Coach of the Women’s U18 AAA Westman Wildcats. Kirkup coached the Women’s U18 AAA Brandon Wheat Kings last season. Prior to that, Kirkup was the Head Coach of the Girls U15 AAA Brandon Wheat Kings team for four seasons. Kirkup played two seasons of college hockey with the University of Maine and University of Minnesota-Duluth followed by three seasons with the University of Manitoba Bisons women’s hockey team.

Kirkup is joined by Assistant Coaches Aaron Kaatz (Winnipeg) and Brendan Edie (Morden). This is Eadie’s second year as a coach within the Women’s U18 POE program as he was the video coach for U18 Team Manitoba last season. Edie coached with the Women’s U18 AAA Pembina Valley Hawks for five seasons. He was the Head Coach of the Pembina Valley Hawks Men’s U18 AAA team for two seasons and prior to that, he coached the Pembina Valley Hawks Boys U15 AAA for two seasons. This is Aaron Kaatz’s first year as a coach within the Women’s U18 POE program. Kaatz was recently an Assistant Coach with U16 Team Manitoba who competed at the 2024 WHL Cup in Red Deer, Alberta. Kaatz is currently the Head Coach of the Balmoral Hall Blazers Varsity prep team (CSSHL). He has also helped out as coach with the Girls’ U16 POE during the 2023-2024 season.

Director of Operations for the Women’s U18 POE is Bernie Reichardt (Hockey Manitoba). Filling out the staff will be goalie consultant Riley Sveistrup, video coach Matthew Victor, athletic therapist Deanna Pesun, and equipment manager Shane Carson.

The Hockey Manitoba Women’s U18 Program of Excellence is designed to provide high performance female players with the opportunity to develop advanced skills as well as an introduction to the concepts needed to play at an elite level. Players from the Program of Excellence go on to play at the U Sport, NCAA and International level.