ON THE BK BEAT: SEASON ON THE LINE FOR 16Us

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — In a season that has featured more than a few obstacles for the BK Selects 16U girls, they arrive now at an opportunity. 

 

Win the New York state tournament this weekend and they’ll earn their way to USA Hockey Nationals.

 

That’s the deal every season, but after a challenging five months, this time of year might feel especially refreshing for Head Coach Jake Anderson’s team.

 

“Most of the hay is in the barn,” Anderson said. “We’re ready for playoff hockey. It’s the most fun hockey. We’re going to play hard, put our best foot forward and we’re not gonna worry about results, and the results should take care of themselves.”

 

Anderson estimated that his team has had “maybe three” games this year with a fully healthy lineup, and many of those injuries were of the longer-term variety.

 

Because of those circumstances, younger student-athletes were foisted into more prominent roles ahead of schedule. As a result, the 16Us absorbed a few more losses than they would’ve liked.

 

But even through all that, the 16Us still sit at 39-16-0 and the No. 11 national ranking entering States, with a chance to pay off all that stretching and discomfort when they challenge their Empire State rivals.

 

“I feel the team has grown all year,” said second-year BK forward Tessa Macchione, a Philadelphia native. “The biggest growth has been in our team chemistry. We communicate better, support each other more, and hold each other accountable. 

 

“That trust has translated into stronger performances. We’re the most prepared at the right time to compete at States.”

 

One of those recent positive results for the 16Us came at the annual Motor City Girls Fest in Detroit. There, BK went 3-1 against strong competition, allowing just four goals in the tournament. 

 

While the 16Us lost on a late goal to the top-10 ranked Philadelphia Jr. Flyers in the quarterfinals, Anderson felt the team represented itself well in one of the premier events in the country. 

 

“That’s how the whole national scene is for our level this year,” he said. “Any of the top seven or eight teams can beat any of the other top teams on any given day. 

 

“We’ve had a lot of kids playing in situations that maybe they were a little uncomfortable in, but through that comes maturity and growth. Maybe it aided in their development, in which case the injuries could be a blessing in the long run.”

 

Leaning on lived experience can certainly help when faced with obstacles, but so can drawing upon outside inspiration. BK Selects girls should have plenty of the latter this month after watching five program alumnae win gold for the United States at the Winter Olympics. 

 

Not only was it a vicarious thrill for any young woman with aspirations in the sport, it was especially energizing for the ladies at BK, who can realistically project a proven pathway to the very pinnacle of women’s hockey.

 

“It was incredible to see all the success of the BK alumni,” Macchione said. “Winning a gold medal for our country while continuing to elevate and grow women’s hockey is very inspiring. 

 

“That’s what makes this place so special. It’s truly a once in a lifetime opportunity.”

 

That gold-medal glow applies to the program’s mentors as well, and not just because former BK bench boss Brent Hill was an assistant for Team USA in Milan. 

 

For someone like Anderson, whose coaching tenure at BK overlapped with the tenures of 2026 Olympic champions Laila Edwards, Haley Winn and Ava McNaughton, following the sudden-death victory over rival Canada was the capper of a sensational few weeks.

 

“The foundation that they laid, it’s really exciting and really fun,” Anderson said. “It was amazing to remember them here and watch those games and know that these kids are in the same seats that they used to be in. You can do that if you come here. That’s attainable.”

 

And so is the goal of making USA Hockey Nationals once again. While the 19U girls — the defending national champions in their age group — have their Nationals berth essentially secured prior to States due to their No. 3 ranking, the 16Us will have to outplay three other New York programs in the Rochester Jr. Americans, Buffalo Jr. Sabres and Syracuse Valley Eagles if they hope to extend their season.

 

The Jr. Americans figure to be the biggest hurdle for BK to clear, as they’re ranked 24th in the nation, but the intensity of postseason play tends to tighten up any matchup.

 

“It’s more about us than it is them,” Anderson said. “We’ve learned our lessons and now it’s time to push forward.”