There is a wealth of talent joining the NCAA this season. Here's 30 women's hockey players to watch during the 2023-2024 NCAA women's hockey season.
There is a wealth of talent joining the NCAA this season. Here's 30 women's hockey players to watch during the 2023-2024 NCAA women's hockey season.
At every position, a wealth of talent is slated to enter the NCAA this season. While players have stayed longer due to the extra year of eligibility, so have prospects, who have waited longer to jump to the NCAA.
The incoming list includes many members of U-18 national teams, award winners, and a group of youth stars who have the skill set necessary to thrive at the next level. Here's a look at 30 NCAA rookies to watch in 2023-2024.
1. Eve Gascon, G, 2003, Minnesota-Duluth
For a school losing the starting goalies from Sweden and Czechia's senior national teams in Emma Soderberg and Blanka Skodova, adding Eve Gascon, one of the best young goaltenders in the world, is a home run. Forget her historic starts in the QMJHL, Gascon has nerves of steel, and her poise and calm in net is infectious. She's the closest netminder to joining Canada's senior national team, and will certainly be one of Hockey Canada's future candidates.
2. Jocelyn Amos, F, 2005, Ohio State
After captaining Team Canada's gold medal winning U-18 national team, Amos put together a spectacular season with the OWHL's London Devilettes. She finished fifth in provincial scoring recording 30 goals and 55 points in 32 games. Amos has the offensive skills, but also plays a solid two-way game, and brings a lot of energy to the ice, providing pressure to opponents.
3. Joy Dunne, F, 2005, Ohio State
Dunne is from one of the best hockey families in the nation and comes to the Buckeyes after captaining USA's U-18 national team this year where she scored six points in five games. Dunne is a big body who plays a strong two-way game. The long time St. Louis Lady Blues standout will be another among a strong incoming class.
4. Emmalee Pais, F, 2005, Colgate
The five-foot-nine Pais has twice represented Canada at the U-18 World Championships, winning a pair of gold medals, including as an assistant captain in 2023. At this year's tournament she scored seven points in five games as a driving member of Canada's offense. In the OWHL U22 Elite, Pais played alongside several NCAA commits and national team members with the London Devilettes, finishing the season with 31 goals and 55 points in 36 games.
5. Laney Potter, D, 2004, Wisconsin
The mobile defender brings size and offensive upside to the Badgers blueline. At five-foot-eleven, Potter has the reach and physical ability to contain just about anyone, a point she proved as a focal point on USA's 2022 U-18 silver medal team. Having spent the past two seasons with the Philadelphia Jr. Flyers, who fell in this year's 19U national championship game in overtime, Potter's offensive game has flourished. This year she recorded 27 goals and 67 points in 71 games. She could be the best blueliner entering the NCAA this year.
6. Ava Murphy, D, 2005, Wisconsin
Playing for the Oakville Hornets in Ontario's OWHL U22 Elite league this season, Murphy was again one of the top defenders in the province. She has two gold medals with Canada's U-18 team, flashing offensive ability that will make her a valued member of Wisconsin's attack. In 11 career U-18 games for Canada, she has nine points.
7. Karel Prefontaine, F, 2004, Cornell
Prefontaine was counted on heavily by Team Canada on their gold medal run at last year's U-18 World Championships where she served as an assistant captain. This year Prefontaine followed it up with a 43 goal season at Stanstead College, one of the top prep programs in North America. Prefontaine could emerge as an all-rookie candidate quickly.
8. Piper Grober, D, 2005, Cornell
Two straight gold medals for Team Canada's U-18 team are impressive, but it was the year over year improvement Grober showed between those two events that truly mattered. Each game, and each opportunity, Grober asserted herself on the Canadian blueline, rounding out her game, and showing she'll be able to compete at the NCAA level. Grober comes from a strong Durham West Lightning program in the OWHL U22 Elite.
9. Anneleis Bergmann, G, 2005, Cornell
It was a relatively even split for Cornell's three netminders this year, but none stepped forward as a bonafide starter. It's rare for a rookie goalie to step in and start, but one of the few in the nation could be Bergmann. Her six-foot-one frame covers a lot of net, but Bergmann is known to battle for pucks and use her athleticism to stretch for pucks if the opposition gets her moving. Bergmann excelled at the last two U-18 World Championships representing USA, and was a standout with Oakland's boys 'AAA' program. She also made history this season becoming the first woman to play in the NAHL.
10. Alexandra Lalonde, F, 2005, Northeastern
If there's one player with game breaking, lift you out of your seat abilities in Northeastern's incoming class, it's Lalonde. She benefitted from the guidance of USA hockey legend Brianna Decker at Shattuck St. Mary's Prep this year scoring 41 goals and 88 points in 50 games. Lalonde also was one of USA's top players at the 2022 U-18 women's World Championships. Watch for the California product to emerge as one of the top rookies in the nation.
11. Emma Kreisz, F, 2003, Minnesota
A unqiue prospect, Kreisz comes a year more mature than most in this NCAA recruiting class, and having played in three World Championships. She is the former captain of Hungary's U-18 women's team. Kreisz if an elite offensive player, showcasing that potential this season at Stanstead College where she scored 30 goals and 73 points in 46 games.
12. Alex Law, F, 2005, Boston University
A standout on Canada's U-18 women's World Championship gold medal team, Law had seven points in four games at the tournament. She was a driving force for the Canadian team, and as an assistant captain, made her presence known in multiple capacities. In the OWHL U22 Elite, Law has been a benefactor of playing for the powerhouse Durham West Lightning, surrounded by a team comprised almost solely of NCAA and USports commits. This season she totalled 39 points in 34 games for the Ontario gold medallists.
13. Jordan Baxter, F, 2005, Ohio State
Consistently one of the most threatening offensive talents in Canada over the last two seasons, Baxter won a pair of gold medals playing for Canada's U-18 national team. She also won gold with Team British Columbia at the 2023 Canada Winter Games scoring nine points in six games. Baxter's most potent weapon is her shot. The velocity and release point can fool netminders.
14. Ava Lindsay, F, 2005, Minnesota
Lindsay will be counted on in coming seasons to replace the departing offense of Taylor Heise, Grace Zumwinkle, Abigail Boreen, and Catherine Skaja. Those are big shoes, but it also means there will be opportunities for Minnesota's younger players to contribute. Lindsay is a dynamic forward who played with pace at the U-18 Worlds for USA. A pure playmaker, Lindsay brings an infectious work ethic. Had 25 goals and 43 points in 26 games for Minnetonka High School this season.
15. Cassie Hall, F, 2005, Wisconsin
After watching her former Little Caesars teammate Kirsten Simms shine at Wisconsin this season, Hall will become the second Michigan product on Wisconsin's roster next year. She's got a great first step, and uses her speed to jump into spaces and generate scoring chances. Hall represented USA at the last two U-18 women's World Championship tournaments, winning silver and bronze.
16. Ida Karlsson, D, 2004, Minnesota-Duluth
After three seasons in the SDHL and two U-18 World Championships, Karlsson brings a wealth of experience to Minnesota-Duluth despite being a rookie. Karlsson, five-foot-nine, plays a physical game. Despite not putting up great numbers against older competition in the SDHL, Karlsson has good offensive instincts, and isn't afraid to join the play. Her skating allows that to be a possibility without sacrificing the ability to take care of her own zone.
17. Sofia Nuutinen, F, 2003, Mercyhurst
Nuutinen joins after four seasons in Finland's top circuit, Naisten Liiga, where last season she had a breakout campaign scoring 39 points in 34 games, followed by 11 points in 11 playoff games. Her sister Emma is a Mercyhurst alumni, Olympian, and last season played pro with the PHF's Buffalo Beauts where she was named to the All-Star game. Nuutinen twice represented Finland at the U-18 World Championships winning bronze in 2019. She'll develop into an NCAA standout.
18. Ella Boerger, F, 2004, St. Thomas
When you look at the list of former Minnesota Ms. Hockey winners, a list that includes Taylor Heise, Grace Zumwinkle, and Hannah Brandt, it's easy to immediately place Boerger in elite company. A power forward who can also play a finesse game, Boerger had 41 goals and 78 points in 29 games while captaining the Andover Huskies.
19. Uma Corniea, G, 2004, Princeton
Considered the best goaltender to come out of Minnesota high school hockey in many years, if not ever, expectations are high for Corniea. The five-foot-ten netminder was named the Minnesota high school goaltender of the year, and graduates as not only the winningest goalie and career leader in shutouts in league history, but she's also a four-time all-state honoree. This season, Corneia posted a 0.92 GAA and .958 save percentage. Her results are unquestionable, and seeing how that will transfer to the NCAA will be a story to watch.
20. Keira Hurry, D, 2005, Clarkson
The five-foot-ten defender comes to Clarkson from the London Devilettes where she recorded 37 points in 36 games from the blueline. Hurry was one of five Devilettes to make Team Canada's U-18 national team last season helping Canada win gold scoring three points in five games. Hurry reads the play well and uses her size to win puck battles and shut down opponents. She's also active on the offensive side of the game, exposing shooting lanes and joining the rush.
21. Gabrielle Kim, D, 2005, Princeton
Coming out of four years at Shattuck St. Mary's, Kim is used to a college-like program. She showed growth and development each year, and even her growth throughout the U-18 World Championship from the first game to the finals was monumental. It speaks to Kim's on ice intelligence and coachability. Not a big shooter, she's mobile and moves the puck well, distributing from her own zone and the offensive blueline.
22. Josie Hemp, D, 2004, Minnesota
Few hockey families rival the Hemp sisters right now, as Josie is set to join Peyton in Minnesota, and younger sister Layla continues to dominate at Minnetonka High School. Josie Hemp was a captain at Minnetonka where she scored 40 points in 30 games from the blueline. She effectively uses her five-foot-nine frame to contain opponents, and is an excellent distributor of the puck.
23. Maya Serdachny, D, 2005, Connecticut
If the name sounds familiar, it should as Serdachny is the cousin of Canadian national team member Danielle Serdachny. The five-foot-nine blueliner was a standout for RINK Academy this season scoring 30 points in 25 games. She also represented Canada at the U-18 World Championships and was one of the top scoring blueliners, helping British Columbia win gold this winter at the Canada Games.
24. Peyton Compton, F, 2005, Northeastern
Compton is another key part of Northeastern's attempt to replace their departing superstars. Another former USA U-18 national team member, Compton is coming from the powerhouse Bishop Kearney Selects program. The Florida product has been touted not only for her on-ice skills, but her off-ice leadership potential.
25. Avery Pickering, D, 2006, Colgate
Playing for Balmoral Hall in the JWHL, Pickering had 40 points in 34 games from the blueline. She's a big, five-foot-ten blueliner who is mobile for her size. Pickering was part of Canada's gold medal winning U-18 World Championship roster in 2022 and will be the centrepiece of Colgate's future blueline, which will soon face a major overhaul after three of the team's captains, all defenders, finished their fourth season of NCAA hockey.
26. Sedona Blair, G, 2005, New Hampshire
Big and athletic, Sedona Blair is one of the best incoming netminders in the nation. The five-foot-ten Blair will have the chance to earn starts immediately. In 2022 she was the third goalie for USA's U-18 national team. This year at Holy Family Catholic Blair recorded a 1.34 GAA and .947 save percentage as one of the top netminders in Minnesota high school hockey.
27. Mari Pieterson, G, 2004, Boston University
The longtime Etobicoke Dolphins netminder in the OWHL U22 Elite, is ready to jump to the NCAA. Andrea Braendli's graduation leaves room for Pieterson to not only come in, but to challenge Callie Shanahan for some games. Pieterson won gold with Team Canada's U-18 team in 2022, posting a 1.32 GAA and .938 save percentage in five games. The NCAA has been pumping out elite goaltenders, especially within this graduating class, opening the door for goalies like Pieterson to begin the next generation.
28. Elly Klepinger, D, 2005, Minnesota
Another Minnetonka grad, Minnesota is bringing in instant chemistry among their recruiting class. Klepinger is a mobile defender who plays a very responsible, calculated game. She's a puck moving defender who makes a good first pass. Klepinger also played for USA's U-18 team this year recording three assists in five games at the World Championship.
29. Jenessa Gazdik D, 2004, Minnesota State
Watch out Minnesota State fans, you're getting not one, but two gifted offensive defenders in twin sisters JuliAnna and Jenessa Gazdik. Both five-foot-seven, Somerset, Wisconsin products, the duo played for Gentry Academy last season. While there, Jenessa recorded 49 points in 29 games. Jenessa represented Team USA at the 2022 U-18 Worlds winning silver. The blueliners will be an instant boost for Minnesota State.
30. Kahlen Lamarche, F, 2005, Quinnipiac
The second leading scorer at the Elite U-22 level in the OWHL, Lamarche scored 46 goals and 82 points in 42 games with the Mississauga Hurricanes. They're almost unheard of numbers in the league. With notable players leaving Quinnipiac, Lamarche could get powerplay time immediately and benefit from joining a program that will give her more opportunity than others. Her numbers in the OWHL broke the Mississauga franchise season record, which is impressive when you consider the stars that have emerged from that program.
Other Rookies To Watch: Sofia Skriver (Mercyhurst), Ellah Hause (St. Thomas), Shelby Laidlaw (Clarkson), Kelly Gorbatenko (Wisconsin), Taya Currie (Providence), Bella Vasseur (Wisconsin), Delaney Fleming (Ohio State), Grace Sadura (Minnesota-Duluth), Payton Holloway (Minnesota-Duluth), Isabelle Goettl (Minnesota), Avery Muhn (Yale), Suzy Higuchi (Yale), Rylee Bart (St. Thomas), Mikayla Boarder (Maine), Kaylee Lewis (Vermont), Madeline Palumbo (Colgate), Emma Pfeffer (Merrimack), Ava McNaughton (Wisconsin), Aynsley D'Ottavio (Quinnipiac), Lindzi Avar (Wisconsin)