Giants prospect Primerano prepares to represent Canada at U18 Women’s World Championship
The ‘firsts’ just keep on coming for Chloe Primerano.
But this one might just be the biggest yet.
The Vancouver Giants prospect will represent Canada for the first time at the IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship in Switzerland from January 6-14.
“It was an unreal experience,” Primerano said of the fateful phone call from Team Canada staff. “I’m really excited to be able to get the opportunity to represent my country and go into a tournament playing against a lot of international teams. I haven’t done that before so I’m really grateful to have the opportunity to play for Canada.”
Primerano became the first female skater drafted by a WHL club when the Vancouver Giants drafted her in Round 13, 268th overall in the 2022 WHL Prospects Draft.
Since then, the 16-year-old has been lauded as Canada’s next up-and-coming superstar.
“In the hockey world, it didn’t take long to figure out that Chloe was going to be a special player,” Team Canada U18 Head Coach Tara Watchorn said.
Primerano fit in at her first Team Canada U18 camp as an underager, tallying three goals and four assists in seven exhibition games against Team Canada Red, Finland and the United States.
“Just dynamic and I think fearless, in a lot of ways,” Watchorn added. “Obviously she’s worked her butt off to get to the point where her skill set is as threatening as it is, but I think it’s a combination of mindset and skill. Being willing to jump into the offense, deceptive on the blue line, make plays and execute when there are opportunities to jump into space. She’s got a toolbox to be able to allow her to trust her instincts. It was a lot of fun to get to see her play with that confidence at this level, best-on-best.”
The scary part? Her game is just getting better.
Vancouver Giants brass noticed the difference a year can make in the 5-foot-8 defender’s second WHL camp in September of 2023.
“Just the speed,” Primerano recalled of the camp. “Being able to play at that speed, I think it’s really good. Being able to make decisions faster, and just the physicality at that at that level. It’s really good for me to be able to have that and play against top players and NHL draft picks. It’s tough, but it helps.”
Back with her home team, RINK Hockey Academy Kelowna in the CSSHL Women’s U18 league, Primerano is feasting on the opposition.
In her first year with the women’s club, she set a record in scoring by a defenceman with 48 points (20G-28A) in 30 games.
This time around, she’s already shattered her own record with a league-leading 24 goals and 33 assists for 57 points in 15 games.
“I think my skating has gotten a lot better over the summer,” Primerano added, “I think that’s helped me a lot. Being able to use my speed more and beat defenders wide. And I think my teammates are really good and they are always helping me out.”
When Primerano thinks of the future, she dreams of Olympic glory and suiting up in the newly-formed Professional Women’s Hockey League, which officially starts play on January 1.
But it all starts in Switzerland as she makes her international debut.
Canada kicks off the tournament against Germany at 4:00 p.m. MST on January 6 in Zoug, Switzerland.