Penn State lost their best class ever, but they have potential stars of the future entering who all climbed into record books for their international U-18 teams. Here's a look at the top players joining Penn State's women's player.
Penn State won yet another Atlantic Hockey America title this season, advancing to their fourth consecutive NCAA tournament. At the national championships, Penn State advanced to the Frozen Four for the first time, and took the eventual national champions, Wisconsin, to overtime before falling 4-3.
It resulted in seven members of the Nittany Lions hearing their names called at the 2026 PWHL Draft.
And while the program lost their captain and superstar in Tessa Janecke, and the heart of their roster, the future for Penn State remains bright.
Many of the program's top players are returning, and their 2026-27 recruiting class is a game changing group. Many can claim having some of the top players in the world coming in, but Penn State's recruits can prove it with where they sit in record books from their U-18 careers.
2026-27 Penn State Women's Hockey Recruiting Class
Morgan Stickney, G, USA
The first American woman ever selected in the WHL Draft, and she has won U-18 World Championship gold and silver while also being named a tournament All-Star in 2025. This season at Shattuck St. Mary's, Stickney had a .948 save percentage and 13 shutouts in 30 games. With Madison Campbell returning, Penn State has one of the best young duos in the nation.
Kylie Amelkovich, F, USA
Amelkovich had a breakout event for Team USA at the 2026 U-18 World Championships recording 14 points in 6 games for USA, and her 12 assists were second most all-time by an American at the tournament. A gold and silver medalist with Team. USA, Amekovich is an equally capable playmaker and goal scorer, as she notched 36 goals and 72 points in 53 games this season.
Sofia Ismael, F, Canada
Ismael owns the second highest single tournament point total in U-18 Canadian history scoring 15 points in 6 games. It earned Ismael tournament All-Star honors, adding to her U-18 World Championship hardware that also includes a gold and silver medal. At the club level, Ismael scored 31 goals and 84 points in 44 games with the Etobicoke Dolphins. Ismael is an elite offensive player, and she's going to be a big player for the Nittany Lions.
Other Penn State Recruits To Watch: Savanna Muir, Lorelai Nelson, Kayla McCarthy, Megan Hosman.
