Colgate has been one of the top NCAA women's hockey programs in the nation, but they looked north of the border for their 2023-2024 recruiting class.
Colgate has been one of the top NCAA women's hockey programs in the nation, but they looked north of the border for their 2023-2024 recruiting class.
The entirety of Colgate's 2023-2024 women's hockey recruiting class is coming from Canada. The group includes multiple members of Canada's U-18 national team, as well as provincial champions from Ontario's Durham West Lightning.
It's a class well prepared to springboard off Colgate's large rookie class from last season, which included standout Elyssa Biederman and to help replace the loss of Danielle Serdachny following this season.
For a program coming off their third consecutive ECAC Hockey championship and NCAA tournament appearance, this recruiting class bodes well for Colgate's continued dominance.
Here's a look at the Colgate Raiders 2023-2024 women's hockey recruiting class.
Emmalee Pais, F, 2005 - 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.
Madeline Palumbo, F, 2004 - One of the few scorers to finish above Emalee Pais in OWHL U22 Elite was Madeline Palumbo, who recorded 35 goals and 65 points in 43 games. Palumbo won a provincial title with the powerhouse Durham West Lightning, who with their roster of committed players could challenge, and perhaps beat, some weaker NCAA teams. Palumbo is a dynamic scorer that seems to be followed by the puck.
Avery Pickering, D - 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.
Other members of Colgate's class include defenders Jaimee Spring, Georgia Sambrano, and Ella Belfry.
In 2024-2025, Colgate is set to add one of the best available prospects in Canada in Alexia Aubin. Aubin is playing for Stanstead College and has twice represented Canada at the U-18 World Championships.
THN's 2023-2024 NCAA Recruiting Class Features
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