Bay Roberts’ Marissa Dawson honoured to play for Team Atlantic

By Mark Squibb

Team Atlantic forward Marissa Dawson, 17, of Bay Roberts said it was an honor to represent her province here at home at the 2025 National Women’s Under-18 Championship.

“This is an opportunity of a lifetime,” said Dawson. “It’s an incredible feeling to be able to play here…. It’s an amazing experience, and an absolute honour. It’s a lot of fun hanging out with all the girls and getting to know everyone.”

Dawson, who also played for Team Atlantic in 2024, has been playing hockey since she was six years old. She decided she wanted to play after watching her younger brother Zander play.

“I told my mom one day, ‘Hey, I want to play hockey too, like my little brother,” said Dawson. “And all my cousins grew up playing hockey, so I wanted to play like them.”

Among those cousins are New Jersey Devils’ forward Dawson Mercer, as well as accomplished players Riley and Jessica Mercer.

For a young person thinking about trying out for a team, Dawson’s advice is to just get out and give it a try.
“Go for it, absolutely,” said Dawson. “There’s nothing holding you back besides your own mind.”

The tournament was co-hosted by Mount Pearl and Conception Bay South, and featured teams representing Ontario, Saskatchewan, Quebec, Alberta, British Columbia, and Manitoba.

The Team Atlantic roster featured 20 girls from New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, PEI, and Newfoundland and Labrador. Other Newfoundlanders on the team included Sophie Urquhart of Deer Lake and Katie Hurley of Grand Falls-Windsor. Goalie coach Kelsey Shute, meanwhile, hails from Harbour Grace.