One of NCAA Division 1 hockey's newest programs, St. Thomas has fought their way through the difficult WCHA conference not only as a program showing consistent growth, but one that now says they "truly have arrived" as a nationally competitive team.
Entering only their sixth season in NCAA Division 1 hockey, the University of St. Thomas Tommies women's hockey team feels they've turned a corner. They're no longer a team getting beat up on by top teams, they feel they've arrived after years of steady progress to become a nationally respected program themselves.
"Really looking to build on the past seasons here. We've had really steady progress," said head coach Bethany Brausen. That progress has come over five seasons since moving from Division III to the WCHA where they regularly face off against powerhouse programs like Wisconsin, Ohio State, Minnesota, and Minnesota-Duluth.
"I think we finally turned the page on saying let's quit talking about the transition. Like we truly have arrived," added Brausen. "We feel like we're in a spot now where we're positioned as having a full team for the first time this year of division one recruits. Actually, a lot o people don't know that kind of in our trajectory, but we're really excited looking forward to this year."
The progress has been palpable. St. Thomas had 15 one-goal games last season including taking Ohio State to overtime twice, and tying Minnesota for the first time in program history. Obviously Ohio State was impressed, because they nabbed two of St. Thomas' top players in Rylee Bartz and Ellah Hause via the transfer portal.
In particular, the past two seasons have been significant. In their first four seasons at the D1 level, St. Thomas posted a 28-88-4 record. The past two season St. Thomas posted a 21-48-3, including a program best 12-23-1 record. If not for an end of season slump, St. Thomas' result could have been stronger still.
The losses of Bartz and Hause to Ohio State, as well as Isla Lindaman to Quinnipiac this offseason were significant, but the program has more talent on the way, and plenty of growth still to come from within. Several members of their roster, including Ella Boerger, Chloe Boreen, JuliAnna Gazdik and Janessa Gazdik were all invited to USA's Collegiate Select camp this summer. Boreen cracked the roster and was a standout for USA. Sophomore Whitney Horton is another name to watch.
St. Thomas also found talent via the transfer portal and recruiting. In net Jillian Petruno was named to the NCAA national goaltender of the year watch list and captained Sacred Heart last season posting a .943 save percentage in 29 starts. She's a senior who could be a difference maker in the crease. On the blueline St. Thomas is bringing in transfers Grace McCoshen and Sydney Bryant who played in the WCHA last season with Ohio State and St. Cloud State respectively, as well as transfers Ella Pasqua and Taylor Porthan who are both looking for fresh starts.
In net St. Thomas has also brought in recruit Daniela Novakova who was the U-18 World Championships Best Goaltender in 2025, while blueliner and former USA U-18 national team member Kenleigh Fischer is another recruit to watch.
Brausen believes top players will continue to choose St. Thomas not only for the program they're building, but also the opportunity to play against the rest of the WCHA's top teams each week.
"I think that's an exciting challenge that every player that signs up to come to St. Thomas is well aware of and something they're looking forward to," Brausen said.
"They want to play with and against the best players in the entire country and in the entire world. As we think about this season and what that looks like, we fully plan on continuing that trajectory and having that growth opportunity, and hopefully shocking a lot of people with a great season ahead."
St. Thomas kicks off their season hosting New Hampshire for a non-conference series September 25 and 26 before hosting Ohio State to begin their WCHA season the following weekend.
