25-26 NJC 16U MAJOR AAA

Manager:  Kristen Best

League:  AAHA

Tournaments/Showcases:

PIP Labor Day Cup – Pittsburgh, PA (August 29-September 1, 2025)

Stoney Creek U18 Showcase – Hamilton, ON (September 5-7, 2025)

2025 Tradition NIT – Blaine, MN (October 16-19, 2025)

US-Canada Cup – Detroit, MI (October 23-26, 2025)

Wizard Holiday Invitational – Bedford, MA (December 27-30, 2025)

JWHL Challenge Cup – Washington, DC (February 13-26, 2026)

16U MAJOR AAA ROSTER

2025-26 SEASON
NJCID-HFC
# First Last Grad Year Position College Committment 
2 Della Gilligan 2027 F/D
4 Velia Jensen 2028 D
9 Kayla Capecci 2027 F/D
10 Navah Liebis 2028 F
11 Brooke Gundlach 2027 F
13 Ava Chapin 2028 D
14 Anna Lugerner 2028 F
16 Tayden Eagle-McAvoy 2027 F
21 Madison Martin 2028 F/D
22 Piper Fretz 2028 D
26 Sofia Makukova 2029 F
27 Penelope Campo 2028 F
44 Kallen Peterson 2029 D
54 Emma Acomb 2027 G
62 Emma Fuchs 2028 F
71 Madeleine Smith 2028 F
74 Addyson Best 2028 F
88 Giavanna Amores 2028 G

 

Last Updated: May 14, 2025

MEET THE COACHES

Experienced staff with a wealth of knowledge and a passion for athlete growth and development.

Janiga, E 21

EMILY JANIGA

HEAD COACH

CEP Level 4

Coaching Experience:

  • New Jersey Colonials
    • 19U AAA
    • 16U AAA
    • 14U AAA, A
  • 19U Niagara Junior Purple Eagles (HC, 19-20)
  • 19U Niagara Junior Purple Eagles (AC, 18-19)

Playing Experience:

  • Metropolitan Riveters (NWHL)
  • PWPHA Showcases
  • Buffalo Beauts (NWHL)
  • Vanke Rays (CWHL)
  • Mercyhurst University (Class of 2016)

Emily Janiga brings an extensive hockey background to the Colonials organization as both a player and coach. She competed in the PHF, NWHL, PWHPA, CWHL as a professional.  She played NCAA DI level for Mercyhurst, where she captained the varsity women's team during her Junior and Senior years.  She scored 151 points (72 Goals, 79 Assists) in her career and earned Female Athlete of the Year in 2016. The team made 3 NCAA Final 8 and 2 NCAA Frozen Four tournaments.  Janiga was named to the All-CHA First team, the College Hockey America Conference (CHA) Player of the Year, the conference scoring leader, and was a member of the All-CHA First Team.

Janiga has coached in youth hockey since graduating in 2016. Her repertoire includes the 19U, 16U and 14U levels, the Buffalo Sabres Learn to Play (LTP), the Skating Instructor Academy of Hockey in Buffalo, and most recently, Skate with the HEAT.

During her time in the CWHL with the Vanke Rays, she worked as a Beijing 2022 Women's Sport Ambassador to assist in the global grassroots growth and promotion of female hockey in preparation for the 2022 Winter Olympics.

Coach Janiga not only brings a true passion for growing the game of hockey to the forefront of her efforts, but her experiences with growing the game are unparalleled.

Avery, B 21

BROOKE AVERY

ASSISTANT COACH

CEP Level 4

Coaching Experience:

  • New Jersey Colonials
    • 19U AAA
  • Oyster River High School
    • AC - Varsity Hockey
    • HC - JV Lacrosse
  • University New Hampshire, Summer Camp Coach

Playing Experience:

  • Metropolitan Riveters (NWHL)
  • Syracuse University
  • University of New Hampshire
  • St. Paul's School

Brooke Avery's substantial background in the sport provides a strong foundation for growth and development of her team and players.

Coach Brooke Avery graduated from Syracuse University in 2019 after transferring from the University of New Hampshire. Brooke has experience coaching both ice hockey and lacrosse.  She played professionally with the Metropolitan Riveters from 2019-2022.

Flood 24

KATIE FLOOD

ASSISTANT COACH

CEP Level 2

Coaching Experience:

  • New Jersey Colonials
    • 19U AAA
    • 14U AAA
    • 14U AA
  • Peck Middle School

Playing Experience:

  • Assumption College (ACHA/NCAA D1)
  • New Jersey Colonials
  • Morris Knolls High School

Katie Flood enters her third season behind the bench with the Colonials.  She is also a member of the Peck School faculty and coaching staff.

Coach Flood played her youth hockey with the New Jersey Colonials through 2019.  She moved up to collegiate hockey at Assumption College, where the school transitioned from ACHA to NCAA Division 1 in her senior season.

OUR MISSION

The New Jersey Colonials Youth Hockey Association's mission is to provide a quality environment for learning, playing and enjoying the game of ice hockey.