Mercyhurst is adding a group of recruits with international and national team experience in their 2023-2024 recruiting class.
Mercyhurst is adding a group of recruits with international and national team experience in their 2023-2024 recruiting class.
Mercyhurst is going international, both in terms of their preseason play, and in their recruiting class. This offseason, Mercyhurst's women's hockey team will travel to Sweden to play Sweden's national team and development team preparing for the 2023-2024 NCAA Division I season.
For their recruiting class, Mercyhurst is bringing experience from three separate national programs in Finland, Sweden, and Denmark, adding to a roster that already included Sweden's Thea Johansson and Norway's Ena Nystrom.
In total, Mercyhurst is bringing in eight players for 2023-2024. Here's a look at the Mercyhurst Lakers' 2023-2024 women's hockey recruiting class.
Sofia Nuutinen, F, 2003 - Nuutinen joins after four seasons in Finland's top circuit, Naisten Liiga, where last season she had a breakout campaign scoring 39 points in 34 games, followed by 11 points in 11 playoff games. Her sister Emma is a Mercyhurst alumni, Olympian, and last season played pro with the PHF's Buffalo Beauts where she was named to the All-Star game. Nuutinen twice represented Finland at the U-18 World Championships winning bronze in 2019. She'll develop into an NCAA standout.
Sofia Ljung, D, 2004 - Playing for Brynas in the SDHL, Ljung gained incredible experience on Sweden's second best team, a roster filled with experienced international and professional players. She represented Sweden at the 2022 U-18 World Championships, and has offensive upside. Ljung should make a smooth transition to the Lakers' blueline.
Sofia Skriver, F, 2003 - A bit of an offensive wildcard, it may take Skriver time to find her scoring after being buried on a powerful Lulea roster winning back-to-back SDHL titles. The fact she could even make that roster speaks volumes. Representing Denmark three times at the U-18 World Championships, Skriver helped Denmark earn promotion, and then played for Denmark at two World Championships and the 2022 Olympics. It's invaluable experience to infuse at Mercyhurst.
While this trio headlines the group, fellow European Emmi Mourujärvi of Finland had a strong offensive season from the blueline in Naisten Liiga. The school is also welcoming two standout goaltenders in Clara Karunakar from the Durham West Lightning and Erika Lind from Alberta. Other recruits include defender Anna Barrington, forward Henlee Mahoney, and transfer Olivia Cvar.
Bishop Kearney blueliner Ashley Mandeville is currently their lone 2024-2025 commit.
THN's 2023-2024 NCAA Recruiting Class Features
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