U.S. captain Maggie Averill (No. 2) celebrates a goal against Slovakia at the 2026 U18 Women's World Championship.
photo: Andre Ringuette / IIHF
In an era where so many girls and young women are lacing up their skates and falling in love with hockey for the first time, Maggie Averill’s bloodlines in the sport go back for generations.
“My mom and dad playing, and my grandpa — we're definitely just a huge hockey family,” said the U.S. captain at the 2026 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship. “Love hockey. Hockey's always on. It's just been how I've grown up, and definitely played a huge part in where I am today.”
The Averills' Massachusetts roots go back for generations. Grandpa Bob Averill played at Northeastern University in Boston in the mid-50s and Maggie’s father, Will Averill, followed in his footsteps. Her mother, Alison Coughlin, suited up for Princeton University in New Jersey.
Maggie, now 17, is third-oldest of four hockey-playing daughters. Anne, 21, is now a junior defender at Dartmouth College while Caroline, 19, is a forward who’s committed to Princeton for 2026-27.
For the past two years, Caroline and Maggie have suited up together for Team USA at the U18 Women’s Worlds, each earning a gold medal in 2024 and a silver in 2025.
This year, they’re both playing at Phillips Academy in Andover, Mass. along with their youngest sister, Elizabeth, who was born in 2010.
“That’s never happened before,” Maggie said. “I think it’s really meant a lot to me to get to play with my younger sister, who I don't get to play with a lot.”
Growing up in Wayland, Mass., Maggie’s goal was to keep up with Anne and Caroline.
“My two older sisters have set a great example and all three of us have a great compete within each other,” she said. “I think it's made me the player who I am today.”
While Caroline is serving as captain at Phillips Andover this season, it’s Maggie who has been tasked with leading a U.S. team that's looking to get back to the top of the podium in 2026.
“This group is so easy to lead,” she said. “They don't really need me as an example, but it's definitely a huge honor.”
Averill has taken over the captaincy from Bella Fanale. Now in her first year at the University of Minnesota, Fanale led the U.S. team with nine points in 2025, and was named the tournament’s best forward.
“Bella Fanale was a great captain,” Averill said. “She always led by example on and off the ice, and definitely was a great role model for me.”
After tallying a goal and an assist in her first U18 worlds appearance in 2024 and one goal in 2025, Averill’s first game with the ‘C’ on her chest was an unqualified success. The U.S. dominated Slovakia by a score of 13-0 and Averill earned best player honors for her team as just the second U.S. defender ever to score a hat trick at this level.
“It's great when you see your older veteran players, especially somebody with a ‘C’ on, have those opportunities and goals,” said U.S. coach Courtney Kennedy. “But we argue anyone could put them in. If you're in the right spot at the right time and you're doing the game the right way, we can all have that much success.”
Checking in at 1.80 metres, Averill’s towering presence on the blue line could remind hockey fans of two decorated U.S. legends who will be donning the stars and stripes again at the Winter Olympics next month. That's no coincidence.
“Lee Stecklein and Megan Keller, I would say, I pattern my game off of,” Averill said. “They're both really dynamic but also big, have hard shots, and also are really responsible in the defensive zone.”
Even after scoring a hat trick, Averill’s main commitment is keeping pucks out of the U.S. net.
“Always, you're a defender first,” she said. “You have to take care of the D zone, and then the offense will come.”
Maggie Averill and Team USA will look to stay perfect in the preliminary round when they face Czechia in the evening game on Sunday at the Sport and Wellness Centre in Membertou, Nova Scotia.
“My mom and dad playing, and my grandpa — we're definitely just a huge hockey family,” said the U.S. captain at the 2026 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship. “Love hockey. Hockey's always on. It's just been how I've grown up, and definitely played a huge part in where I am today.”
The Averills' Massachusetts roots go back for generations. Grandpa Bob Averill played at Northeastern University in Boston in the mid-50s and Maggie’s father, Will Averill, followed in his footsteps. Her mother, Alison Coughlin, suited up for Princeton University in New Jersey.
Maggie, now 17, is third-oldest of four hockey-playing daughters. Anne, 21, is now a junior defender at Dartmouth College while Caroline, 19, is a forward who’s committed to Princeton for 2026-27.
For the past two years, Caroline and Maggie have suited up together for Team USA at the U18 Women’s Worlds, each earning a gold medal in 2024 and a silver in 2025.
This year, they’re both playing at Phillips Academy in Andover, Mass. along with their youngest sister, Elizabeth, who was born in 2010.
“That’s never happened before,” Maggie said. “I think it’s really meant a lot to me to get to play with my younger sister, who I don't get to play with a lot.”
Growing up in Wayland, Mass., Maggie’s goal was to keep up with Anne and Caroline.
“My two older sisters have set a great example and all three of us have a great compete within each other,” she said. “I think it's made me the player who I am today.”
While Caroline is serving as captain at Phillips Andover this season, it’s Maggie who has been tasked with leading a U.S. team that's looking to get back to the top of the podium in 2026.
“This group is so easy to lead,” she said. “They don't really need me as an example, but it's definitely a huge honor.”
Averill has taken over the captaincy from Bella Fanale. Now in her first year at the University of Minnesota, Fanale led the U.S. team with nine points in 2025, and was named the tournament’s best forward.
“Bella Fanale was a great captain,” Averill said. “She always led by example on and off the ice, and definitely was a great role model for me.”
After tallying a goal and an assist in her first U18 worlds appearance in 2024 and one goal in 2025, Averill’s first game with the ‘C’ on her chest was an unqualified success. The U.S. dominated Slovakia by a score of 13-0 and Averill earned best player honors for her team as just the second U.S. defender ever to score a hat trick at this level.
“It's great when you see your older veteran players, especially somebody with a ‘C’ on, have those opportunities and goals,” said U.S. coach Courtney Kennedy. “But we argue anyone could put them in. If you're in the right spot at the right time and you're doing the game the right way, we can all have that much success.”
Checking in at 1.80 metres, Averill’s towering presence on the blue line could remind hockey fans of two decorated U.S. legends who will be donning the stars and stripes again at the Winter Olympics next month. That's no coincidence.
“Lee Stecklein and Megan Keller, I would say, I pattern my game off of,” Averill said. “They're both really dynamic but also big, have hard shots, and also are really responsible in the defensive zone.”
Even after scoring a hat trick, Averill’s main commitment is keeping pucks out of the U.S. net.
“Always, you're a defender first,” she said. “You have to take care of the D zone, and then the offense will come.”
Maggie Averill and Team USA will look to stay perfect in the preliminary round when they face Czechia in the evening game on Sunday at the Sport and Wellness Centre in Membertou, Nova Scotia.