Ida Karlsson is set to captain the University of Minnesota-Duluth alongside Caitlin Kraemer this season. According to head coach Laura Schuler, her veteran defender is the quintessential leader both on and off the ice.
In her final season of NCAA hockey, Laura Schuler captained Northeastern. By that time, the now Minnesota-Duluth head coach had represented her nation twice at the World Championships.
More than three decades later, Schuler is touting another senior captain, who has twice represented her nation at the World Championships, Ida Karlsson.
Karlsson, alongside Junior forward Caitlin Kraemer were chosen by Schuler to captain the University of Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs women's hockey team this season.
"Can't say enough wonderful things about Ida," said Schuler. "I think she is such an incredible person. She's so humble, comes to the rink with a smile on her face. Her work ethic is impeccable and she truly is an incredible leader because of how much she cares about people, every single day. She is someone who upholds our standards and is constantly pushing our standards."
Karlsson gained more experience, and another similarity with her head coach, becoming an Olympian this year representing Sweden at the the 2026 Games in Milan. If this is Karlsson's final season of NCAA hockey before moving to the PWHL, Schuler says her captain already possesses professional habits. Her selection as captain was obvious given the attributes she demonstrates daily on the ice, in the locker room, and in the classroom.
"The way that she she carries herself, the way that she works uh day in and day out, both in the classroom, in the community, and on the ice and in the weight room is just top notch," said Schuler of Karlsson. "She is a pro in every sense of that word. I am so excited for her leadership this year."
Her selection as captain alongside Kraemer, and alternate captains Eve Gascon and Kate Kosobud, was an honor to the 5-foot-10 right-shot defender.
"It's definitely an honor of course," says Karlsson. "I've never been in this situation before, but it's also, I don't want to change anything about me, and hopefully it's like I got named captain because of a reason. It...makes it easy to be a leader... when you're surrounded by good people. I think I speak for all captains when I say that we haven't had to do much yet, because everyone is chipping in and helping us out too."
Karlsson not only has her international career ahead, including another World Championship with Sweden this November, but with Minnesota-Duluth hosting the NCAA Frozen Four this year, her goal is to lead the Bulldogs to a home ice appearance with a national title on the line.
"Ultimately that's the goal. we want to play here at the end of the season," said Karlsson.
That process will begins September 25 when the Bulldogs host Mercyhurst for a two-game series before travelling for another non-conference series against Vermont.
