Puck drop on the 2025-26 Hockey East schedule is rapidly approaching. Boston University won their first conference title in 2025 in a decade upending Northeastern in the conference final.
The conference continues to see an influx of young stars, which this season will include players like Maxim Tremblay and Ava Thomas with Boston College, Lexie Bertelsen with Boston University, Naemi Herzig with Holy Cross, Alex Therien for New Hampshire, Molly Farace for Providence, and Stryker Zablocki for Northeastern.
At the 2025 PWHL Draft, 20th overall selection Skylar Irving, who went to the Montreal Victoire from the Northeastern Huskies, was the top Hockey East player selected. She was joined by Callie Shanahan and Abby Newhook (Boston College), Ava Rinker and Jada Habisch (Connecticut), Tamara Giaquinto (Boston University) and Brooke Becker (Providence).
With stars going out, and a new wave coming in, here's a look at 10 returning players to Hockey East that NCAA women's hockey fans need to watch this season.
1. Reichen Kirchmair, Providence
Starting with the Cammi Granato Award winner as the Hockey East Player of the Year, Kirchmair is the top PWHL Draft eligible prospect from the conference heading into the season. She emerged as the leading scorer in Hockey East totalling 19 goals and 37 points in 35 games with Providence. Good size, good skill, keep an eye on Reichen Kirchmair.
2. Julia Pellerin, Connecticut
The only player in Hockey East to hit 20 goals last season, Pellerin is a real threat as a trasnfer to Connecticut. She's actually giving up some talent as Boston College, the team she left, looks like they'll be stronger, but seeing Pellerin alongside Claire Murdoch will be fun to watch.
3. Sammy Taber, Boston College
Highly creative player, Taber is a former USA U-18 national team member who has put up back-to-back consistently productive campaigns.
4. Claire Murdoch, Connecticut
The rookie is already on Canada's senior national team radar and represented Canada's national development team this season. The Hockey East Rookie of the Year sees the ice so well, and is equal parts goal scorer and playmaker.
5. Lisa Jönsson, Northeastern
Jönsson stepped in and took over as Northeastern's starter as a rookie. Not only did she take the role, she thrived following a long line of Northeastern netminders like Aerin Frankel and Gwyneth Philips who have held the crease. The 5-foot-11 goalie was named to Hockey East's All-Rookie team after posting a 1.61 GAA and .938 save percentage. She's Sweden's goalie of the future.
6. Tuva Kandell, Northeastern
It's hard to quantify Kandell's impact as a rookie blueliner. She was a Hockey East All-Rookie team member, and with a hot start could play her way onto Sweden's Olympic team.
7. Eloise Caron, Northeastern
A late commit to Northeastern, Caron was another Northeastern conference All-Rookie team member. She stepped in and thrived from day one showing her physical maturity and scoring touch.
8. Audrey Knapp, Providence
Alongside Kirchmair, Knapp helped make Providence a dangerous team to face. She scored 19 goals and has two seasons of eligibility remaining to put herself into PWHL Draft conversations.
9. Tia Chan, Connecticut
Chan might be the best goalie in the NCAA set to turn pro after next season. The Hockey East Goaltender of the Year already has two World Championships and an Olympic Games under her belt with China. Her career 1.59 GAA and .942 save percentage through four seasons are remarkable.
10. Lily Shannon, Northeastern
Shannon will captain Northeastern this season and has excellent size at 5-foot-10 to go along with her scoring finish. She took a big step offensively last year, and if she can continue that trajectory, Shannon could become a PWHL Draft prospect by seasons end.
Honorable Mention: Olivia Maffeo (Boston College), Lauren Glaser (Boston College), Grace Campbell (Boston College), Ashley Allard (Connecticut), Maya Serdachny (Connecticut), Sarah Davies (Providence), Abigayle Poitras (Merrimack), Sage Babey (Boston College), Sydney Healey (Boston University), Jules Constantinople (Northeastern), Maria Lindberg (Merrimack)
