The Minnesota Golden Gophers leaned on six Minnesota high school recruits, and also inked the program's first Hungarian.
The Minnesota Golden Gophers leaned on six Minnesota high school recruits, and also inked the program's first Hungarian.
Minnesota is about to watch a senior class headlined by Taylor Heise, Grace Zumwinkle, Abigail Boreen, and Catherine Skaja graduate from their women's hockey program. While those players move on to professional hockey, Minnesota tapped into an unknown market, and one very well known Minnesota market to help replace their departing class.
The unknown market is Hungary. Minnesota is bringing the program's first ever Hungarian player, Emma Kreisz, who's been playing in North America with Stanstead College to the Twin Cities. The school is also bringing a trio of players from within city limits to the Minnesota Golden Gophers, recruiting three members of the powerhouse Minnetonka High School.
Here's a look a the University of Minnesota women's hockey recruiting class for 2023-2024:
Emma Kreisz, F, 2003 - A unqiue prospect, Kreisz comes a year more mature than most in this NCAA recruiting class, and having played in three World Championships. She is the former captain of Hungary's U-18 women's team. Kreisz if an elite offensive player, showcasing that potential this season at Stanstead College where she scored 30 goals and 73 points in 46 games.
Ava Lindsay, F, 2005 - Alonside Kreisz, Lindsay will be counted on in coming seasons to replace the departing offense of Taylor Heise, Grace Zumwinkle, Abigail Boreen, and Catherine Skaja. Those are big shoes, but it also means there will be opportunities for Minnesota's younger players to contribute. Lindsay is a dynamic forward who played with pace at the U-18 Worlds for USA. A pure playmaker, Lindsay brings an infectious work ethic. Had 25 goals and 43 points in 26 games for Minnetonka High School this season.
Josie Hemp, D, 2004 - Few hockey families rival the Hemp sisters right now, as Josie is set to join Peyton in Minnesota, and younger sister Layla continues to dominate at Minnetonka High School. Josie Hemp was a captain at Minnetonka where she scored 40 points in 30 games from the blueline. She effectively uses her five-foot-nine frame to contain opponents, and is an excellent distributor of the puck.
Elly Klepinger, D, 2005 - Another Minnetonka grad, Minnesota is bringing in instant chemistry among their recruiting class. Klepinger is a mobile defender who plays a very responsible, calculated game. She's a puck moving defender who makes a good first pass. Klepinger also played for USA's U-18 team this year recording three assists in five games at the World Championship.
Also included in Minnesota's 2023-2024 women's hockey recruiting class are high scoring Minnesota high school products Isabelle Goettl who had 71 points in 30 games for Andover, and five-foot-eleven Centennial/SLP standout Lauren O'Hara who potted 37 goals in 30 games this season. Minnesota will also add defender Carly Humphrey from the Elk River/Zimmerman high school program.
In 2024-2025 the team adds USA U-18 national team member and Minnetonka High School standout Kendra Distad.
THN's 2023-2024 NCAA Recruiting Class Features
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