Annabelle Chukwu

The thing is we follow the juniors over here, whether you're a big hockey fan or not, like you turn it on around Christmas and you watch it because you want to see who the next superstars coming through are.

when you watch the under 20 world cup i'm watching to see okay who's who's the next guys coming through the system who's the next little superstars we watched we watched the the the national team the young boys playing in the world cup and we thought wow there's some good players that are are in this young national team like that young kid mckenzie and Kozlowski, who's at Ottawa right now, Chukwu, you know, these guys are starting to make names for themselves and they all played in the youth national teams.

Yeah, I think around the world it is a big deal.

I mean, it's certainly, I'm not saying it's not important, it's very important, but it's one of those things that outside of here, North America, certainly, if you win it, it's a big deal, yes.

It's about how much investment and time is the Federation putting into the pathway, into the youth programs? And then it's also, is there spillover to interest and engagement with fans who normally follow the senior team? And I think in Canada, we saw, you know, to Jimmy's point, where off the back of a successful Home World Cup, you saw people paying attention to the U-20 program and in a way that you maybe hadn't seen before other than your diehards.

So I think on your way towards establishing yourself worldwide, whether that's in rankings or competing with the best, which is what our women's team did versus the holders in North Korea was very impressive and some standout performances.

And whether you're talking about Annabel Chukwu or Kaylee Hunter with that tremendous performance, the hat trick versus France to put them through to the quarters, which is their best result since 2014.

And I think it's Olivia Chisholm who plays for AFC Toronto, Geneva Hernandez-Gray, who I hope has four assists.

A couple of other names worth shouting out is Anaka Paz for Argentina.

I also like Annabelle Chukwu, obviously.

We

hyped up Chukwu so much before this competition.

Because we did the NCAA episode and we were just like, Annabelle Chukwu is the best player in the world.

She scored multiple goals today against Tanzania.

Tanzania.

She was, you know, bright and should have had a couple of goals.

And then when Annabelle Chukwu came on in the second half, she is their bright star as well.

One of their bright stars.

I think those two forward players are their bright stars.

Annabelle Chukwu has had senior caps.

So she's already been in the senior setup.

And she has big, I think she set her sights on getting to the World Cup next year.

I wanted to ask you just quickly before we move on to a very important mini rapid fire segment of the broadcast, which I know you're desperate to get to.

But just a quick one about the U-20 Women's World Cup, the importance of that competition and the importance of seeing the likes of Annabelle Chukwu and Kaylee Hunter express themselves and influence play in their own age group.

Yeah, listen, we're really closely connected on Kayleigh and Annabel from both club and college plus like youth age group coaches.

We have quite an intentional plan.

That's a good route.

Annabelle Chukwu is in the NCAA.

Some of Canada's other best young talents have come through, but it feels like now when you have that choice, it can inform what you need at certain stages of your career.

I think Kaylee Hunter going pro as early as she did has been excellent for her development.

Right.

But just a quick one about the U20 Women's World Cup, the importance of that competition and the importance of seeing the likes of Annabel Chukwu and Kaylee Hunter express themselves and influence play in their own age group.

Yeah.

W- listen, we're really closely connected on Kaylee and Annabel from both club and college, plus, like, youth age group coaches.