OSU Announces the Addition of Three Highly Touted Transfers
The Buckeyes have announced three key additions out of the transfer portal for next season in their quest to go back-to-back.
The reigning national champion Ohio State Buckeyes have added three massive transfers out of the portal this week, with the latest being former Minnesota-Duluth goaltender Hailey MacLeod.
The rising junior was an All-WCHA rookie team member in 2022-23, thanks to her outstanding play in six contests that season. This past year she split time in goal with freshman Ève Gascon, and entered the portal following the Bulldogs 9-0 loss to OSU. Her .948 save percentage was fourth-best nationally, and she finished the season with an 11-5-2 record, thanks in part to six shutouts – tied for sixth-best in the nation. MacLeod will compete for the open spot left in the Buckeyes’ net against Amanda Thiele, who still has one year of eligibility remaining, with both Raygan Kirk and Quinn Kuntz departing the program.
Two other rising juniors join MacLeod in Columbus, both blueliners.
Sara Swiderski played two seasons with the Clarkson Golden Knights before entering the portal this spring. In her 78 appearances between 2022 and 2024, the defender notched 19 points including four goals. Her season was also ended by the Buckeyes, this time at the Frozen Four in the Knights 4-1 semifinal loss. Swiderski’s shot is a major selling point, and she averaged almost two per game during her tenure in Potsdam. It’ll be interesting to see how that contributes to the high-octane offense of OSU over the next two seasons.
Finally rounding out the trio is Brooke Disher. Formerly a Boston University Terrier, Disher has been a solid defender in Hockey East during both her rookie and sophomore campaigns. Over 69 games, Disher put up 28 points including 10 goals. A key member of both of BU’s special teams, Disher did see a drop in production this season, but has been shut down defensively overall on a Terriers team that struggled during her tenure in Boston.
All three players transferring to OSU hail from British Columbia, and played alongside each other on the Canadian U-18 team that won gold in 2021-22. They'll reunite with fellow Canadian players from the tournament Jordan Baxter and Jocelyn Amos.
Swiderski and Disher also played junior hockey together with the RINK Hockey Academy Kelowna U-18 Prep squad before starting their NCAA careers. For the Buckeyes, already these three fill some of their biggest roster holes just a few weeks into the offseason.
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