Minnesota-Duluth has a powerful graduating class, but their incoming recruits, including netminder Eve Gascon, are impressive as well.
Minnesota-Duluth has a powerful graduating class, but their incoming recruits, including netminder Eve Gascon, are impressive as well.
It's a significant graduating class for Minnesota-Duluth, and a significant incoming class. Out are Emma Soderberg, Blanka Sodova, Gabrielle Hughes, Ashton Bell, and Maggie Flaherty. In are a group of involving one of the best available netminders in the world, an internationally seasoned blueliner, and a pair of proven scorers.
It will come with growing pains until the next recruits can catch up to the physically demanding competition in the NCAA, specifically in the WCHA, but Minnesota-Duluth won't take long to rebound from their losses.
Eve Gascon, G, 2003 - For a school losing the starting goalies from Sweden and Czechia's senior national teams in Emma Soderberg and Blanka Skodova, a future would seem dire, even with former Canadian U-18 standout Hailey MacLeod still in the mix. Adding Eve Gascon however, one of the best young goaltenders in the world, is an instant remedy. Forget her historic starts in the QMJHL, Gascon has nerves of steel, and her poise and calm in net is infectious. The Bulldogs' net is in good hands.
Ida Karlsson, D, 2004 - After three seasons in the SDHL and two U-18 World Championships, Karlsson brings a wealth of experience to Minnesota-Duluth despite being a rookie. Karlsson, five-foot-nine, plays a physical game. Despite not putting up great numbers against older competition in the SDHL, Karlsson has good offensive instincts, and isn't afraid to join the play. He skating allows that to be a possibility without sacrificing the ability to take care of her own zone.
Payton Holloway, F, 2004 - Under the guidance of legend Brianna Decker at Shattuck St. Mary's, Holloway emerged as one of the unheralded, yet most potent scorers in the class. Originally slated to play for the Wisconsin Badgers this year, Holloway chose a different path in Minnesota-Duluth in order to get more ice time. She wants to make an impact, and plays a diligent, hard working game, where you can see her thinking the game in real time.
Grace Sadura, F, 2005 - As a captain of the powerhouse Minnetonka High School program, Sadura played surrounded by NCAA commits and members of USA's national U-18 team. In fact, she didn't play around them, she played central to them, as a driver of Minnetonka's offense. Sadura scored 41 points in 30 games, second behind only Ava Lindsay, who's headed to Minnesota next year. 2023 Section 2AA Champions and Lake Conference Champions with Minnetonka, Sadura's on and off ice leadership will be invaluable to Minnesota-Duluth in the coming years.
Also joining the Bulldogs this season is big, reliable defender Quinn Dunkle. The five-foot-ten right shot blueliner comes from NAHA.
While the 2023-2024 class is exciting for Minnesota-Duluth, the school will get a true superstar in 2024-2025. Caitlin Kraemer was Canada's showstopper at the 2023 U-18 women's World Championship tournament, leading the team in scoring and the tournament in goals. She'll be joined by Reese Logan and Zoey Krock as early commits.
THN's 2023-2024 NCAA Recruiting Class Features
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