Allard's Hockey Ascent
Laurentian Valley's Payton Allard Invited to High-Performance Camp, Eyes Team Ontario
Payton Allard, a 14-year-old hockey player from Laurentian Valley, has earned an underage spot at the 2026 Ontario Summer Games — a rare achievement for a player her age. Allard was selected after standing out at the Ontario Women's Hockey Association (OWHA) U16 High Performance ID Camp, according to Pembroke Observer.
The camp mostly targeted players born in 2011. Allard, born in 2012, was among only a small number of younger athletes considered. Earning a spot puts her among the top young female hockey players in Ontario.
How Allard Earned Her Underage Camp Selection
The OWHA U16 High Performance ID Camp brought together top players for evaluation. Scouts looked at athletes born in 2011 for Team Ontario Summer Games spots. Only a handful of 2012-born players — like Allard — were considered at all, according to The Sudbury Star.
Allard's selection at 14 shows she is playing well above her age level. Getting picked as an underage player is uncommon. It signals that coaches see her as one of the best young prospects in the province.
What the 2026 Ontario Summer Games Will Look Like
At the 2026 Ontario Summer Games, Allard will represent her region against some of the toughest competition around. She will face top Tier 1 programs from Ontario, Quebec, and the United States, according to Paris Star Online.
Tier 1 is the highest level of minor hockey competition. Competing against those programs at age 14 will be a major test. It also gives Allard a chance to get noticed by scouts at higher levels of the game.
Allard's Next Move: Mississauga Hurricanes U18 AA
After the Summer Games, Allard plans to play for the Mississauga Hurricanes U18 AA team for the 2026–27 season. The Hurricanes compete at the AA level — the second-highest tier in Ontario women's minor hockey. Joining that team would be another big step up for a 14-year-old, according to The Whig.
Playing U18 AA at her age means Allard would again compete against players up to four years older than her. That kind of challenge can speed up development quickly for young players with high potential.
Allard Seeks Community Support to Fund Her Season
Chasing elite hockey comes with real costs. Allard and her family are seeking donations and sponsorships to help cover expenses tied to the Ontario Summer Games and the upcoming season with the Hurricanes, according to Goderich Signal Star.
Travel, equipment, and league fees add up fast at the elite level. Community support can make the difference for young athletes from smaller towns trying to compete with players from bigger, better-funded programs.
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