RIT is bringing back the heart of their roster. With experience and scoring depth on their side, the RIT Tigers women's hockey team could be in line for one of their best seasons to date.
The heart of RIT's women's hockey roster from last year will remain intact this season as the Tigers look to take a step forward as a program. RIT has a difficult schedule of non-conference games to add to their Atlantic Hockey America calendar, which will test their top players against some of the nation's best talents.
Among the key returnees for RIT are captain Emma Pickering on the blueline, leading scorer Addie Alvarez, and sophomore Tille Keränen who finished third on RIT in scoring, and who should be looked at as a potential breakout star in AHA. RIT scoring depth, will all of their top six scoring forwards returning, is something that will serve the roster well.
"It's always a good thing when you return that much scoring, so we're excited about that at its core," said head coach Celeste Brown. "I think if we look at that senior class, we know what we're getting out of them, and they'll continue to push the standards. I think we're excited about where our junior class is, so our third years. I think a couple players in that group had some good seasons last year, but all of that group is now becoming the pushers of the standards."
Brown noted a number of players from up and down RIT's lineup including Brac Kelley, Ireland Stein, netminder Brenna McNamara and others, who she expects will have notable seasons. Depth and experience will be major factors for the Tigers this season. Captain Emma Pickering however, leads that group this season. She's a player that Brown can't overlook, and other teams can't ignore.
"Emma is a pretty special player and a special human being, and I think it's the human being part that sets her apart," said Brown. "She's someone that's respected by every one of her teammates, and...I think that allows her to go play her game on the ice."
Brown says Pickering exudes goodness, and brings out the best in RIT's roster, not only through her impactful play on the blueline. Last season Pickering recorded a point per game scoring 26 points in 26 games. She missed eight games last season, meaning those numbers could take another jump for Pickering as a senior, which would be a major boost to RIT's hopes.
RIT opens their season September 25 on the road against Clarkson before a home and home weekend against Colgate. They'll also face Northeastern and Brown this season in non-conference play. In terms of their Atlantic Hockey America schedule, RIT drops the puck October 9 and 10 hosting Delaware.
