Year after year, Minnesota-Duluth is producing quality professional hockey players. This year Tova Henderson, Ashley Messier, Thea Johansson, and MaryKate O'Brien all heard their names called at the 2026 PWHL Draft.

With stars moving out, Minnesota-Duluth continues to bring in new talent. Their women's hockey recruiting class this season includes several with U-18 national team experience from Canada, USA, Finland, and Sweden. With Eve Gascon entering her senior season, Minnesota-Duluth also has a goalie of the future coming to the program.

Tuuli Tallinen has the upside to make an impact immediately. The 5-foot-10 blueliner has good size, and represented Finland at three U-18 World Championships, including captaining the team in 2024 when she was named a tournament All-Star. The new NCAA rules could impact her eligibility sending Tallinen, 20, to the pros sooner, but she's going to be a valuable addition in the meantime. 

One of the top scoring teenagers in the SDHL in recent seasons playing alongside top pros with Frolunda, Danielsson has been in a perfect place to develop, but hasn't been given to line opportunities. She'll be working for just that at UMD. The two-time Swedish U-18 national team member has good speed, and could be a breakout star after finding her footing in North America.

At 21, the clock is already ticking on Salonen in the NCAA under their new rules. She's ready to step in and contribute from day one. The center has already been one of the top players in Finland's Auroraliiga for years finishing this in the league this year in scoring with 54 points and 26 goals in 32 games, including being named the league's Best Forward, Best Plus/Minus Player, and a First Team All-Star this season. The league's leading scorer, Emma Nuutinen, just signed with the PWHL's Seattle Torrent. 

Marilou Grenier put up eye popping numbers for Limoilou in the QCHL. From her 0.84 GAA to a .964 save percentage and seven shutouts, she was dominant. In 2025, Grenier backstopped Canada to U-18 World Championship gold. Minnesota-Duluth has found themselves their next crease star.

Won gold this year with USA's U-18 national team at the U-18 World Championships scoring five goals and seven points in six games. At nationals, she scored six points in six games to help her Minnesota Tradition Vegas team win a national title. Gnetz sometimes got lost behind other names on USA's U-18 national team, but she won't get lost at Minnesota-Duluth.

Other UMD Recruits To Watch: Saige Ruback, Brooke Gnetz, Lizzy Callahan