Bemidji State is returning 21 players, and the now veteran roster is looking to elevate their play and climb the WCHA ladder, as expectations for the veteran women's hockey roster are higher than ever.
The past few seasons, Bemidji State has welcomed large incoming class after large incoming class. This year however, the Beavers have 21 returning players, and only four newcomers. It's a recipe for elevated expectations for the program to climb out of the WCHA's basement.
"We're excited and optimistic about a new season. It's hard to believe that we're already here right now," said Bemidji State head coach Amber Fryklund.
The feel of a veteran roster is one Fryklund welcomes, particularly with her two leading scorers from last season, Morgan Smith and captain Hailey Armstrong returning. It puts Bemidji State ahead of the game in their preparations knowing they're not starting fresh, instead they're picking up where they left off.
"It's a different feel," said Fryklund. "You could tell, it's almost like we just picked up where we left off last season in our last game. With that experience, it's really exciting, and it is a different feel for us as coaches and how we're navigating our season and also for our players too, so that's been an exciting part of kind of feeling that, picking up where we left off from last season."
Smith and Armstrong in particular, will be leaned upon heavily not only for their production, but their leadership this season.
"They lead the way on the ice for us, no doubt, but they also lead the way off for us off the ice as well," said Fryklund. "Having those two players, they have a lot of experience. You know, they play in all key situations for us and they also help our other players in our program too."
With so many returning players, there's pressure on Bemidji State, who have been stuck at or near the bottom of the WCHA standings in recent seasons to take the next step forward.
"I think there is that, you feel that pressure for certain, but I think that's a good thing, right?" said Fryklund. "I think that there's an expectation and our players have that expectation that we want to do something special this year. And so I think there is that pressure, but also, I think that's a good thing. Our players are really excited about that challenge and you know where we're at right now."
As it has been, it's all about growth for a program that finished last season with a 6-27-3 record overall. This year however, the expectations are raised, and that can only be good for the program as a whole says Fryklund.
'We continue to try to elevate our standards and what we do, and where we finished last year is certainly not where we want to finish, and so that's a huge focus for us, is continue to make a push to elevate, where we end up in our standings, and and every single weekend in the WCHA."
