Cornell's women's hockey team is bringing in elite recruits at every position to compliment their depth of existing young talent. It's a recipe for a future contender.
Cornell's women's hockey team is bringing in elite recruits at every position to compliment their depth of existing young talent. It's a recipe for a future contender.
Cornell has a strong core. Next season that group will include World Championship gold medallist Rory Guilday, as well as former Canadian and USA U-18 members MacKenna Van Gelder, Sarah MacEachern, Ashley Messier, Grace Dwyer, and Alyssa Regalado. It's a young core that couldn't put together a full season last year, but in fate is on Cornell's side this season, it could turn into a major step toward building a contender.
The addition to the Cornell women's hockey program through their 2023-2024 recruiting class will go a long way toward that goal.
Here's a look at the recruits who will join the Cornell Big Red women's hockey team next year.
Anneleis Bergmann, G, 2005 - It was a relatively even split for Cornell's three netminders this year, but none stopped forward as a bonafide starter. It's rare for a rookie goalie to step in and start, but if there's a goalie in the nation who could achieve the feat, it's 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.
Piper Grober, D, 2005 - 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.
Karel Prefontaine, F, 2004 - Prefontaine was counted on heavily by Team Canada on their gold medal run at this 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.
Lindzi Avar, F, 2005 - The big forward comes from powerhouse Minnetonka High School in Minnesota where she scored 29 points in 26 games. With her five-foot-ten frame, the former USA U-18 national team member will likely start in a depth role for Cornell, but her versatility could see that change quickly.
Also joining Cornell in a deep 2023-2024 recruiting class this season are Stanstead College forward Beatrice Perron, Burlington Barracudas blueliner Abigail Thibodeau and Etobicoke Dolphins winger Ella Huntley.
There's almost too much talent here for the available ice time, which is a good problem to have.
In 2024-2025, Rose Dwyer will join her sister Grace Dwyer on the Cornell Big Red blueline. Also committed for 2024-2025 is Durham West Lightning forward Kaleigh Quigg.
THN's 2023-2024 NCAA Recruiting Class Features
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