2018 NWHL All-Stars Announced

Amanda Leveille and Brittney Ott select their teams live on Twitter

Tonight, All-Star captains Brittany Ott and Amanda Leveille selected their teams live via Twitter. The selection process mirrors season one, when the inaugural All-Star Captains were Hilary Knight and Emily Pfalzer. Unlike years past, there was no fan vote this year, which means that two-time reigning fan favorite Madison Packer could not defend her crown.

Goalies were drafted first. Leveille was given home ice advantage and she picked a fellow Minnesota netminder, Katie Fitzgerald, first overall. Ott selected Sydney Rossman as the fourth and final goalie selection for the 2018 All-Star Game.

The captains next selected five defenders and seven forwards each. Each captain chose to stay close to home, selecting their NWHL teammates. Ott and Leveille likely were interested in having some familiar faces play in front of them for the big game in Minnesota.


Team Leveille

Katie Fitzgerald - St. Cloud State

Sarah Edney - Harvard *R

Kelsey Koelzer - Princeton *R

Lisa Chesson - Ohio State *

Lexi Bender - BC

Jordyn Burns - Minnesota

Kate Schipper - Minnesota/Whitecaps *W

Kelly Babstock - Quinnipiac University

Sam Faber - University of New Hampshire *

Janine Weber - Providence College

Rebecca Russo - Boston University

Kristin Lewicki - Adrian College *R

Meagan Mangene - Boston College *

Team Ott

Sydney Rossman - Quinnipiac *R

Alyssa Gagliardi - first defender selected - Cornell

Courtney Burke - Wisconsin

Michelle Picard - Harvard *

Amanda Boulier - St. Lawrence *R

Jenny Ryan - Wisconsin *R

Sadie Lundquist - Bemidji State *W

Alexa Gruschow - RPI *

Jillian Dempsey - Harvard

Emily Field - Boston College

Corinne Buie - Providence

Hayley Scamurra - Northeastern *R

Jordan Smelker - RPI

* - First-time All-Star

R - Rookie

W - Minnesota Whitecaps player

As to be expected in an Olympic year, we have a significant number of first-year All-Stars. The third annual NWHL All-Star Weekend will take place at the brand new TRIA Rink, practice facility of the Minnesota Wild. For the first time, the festivities will include members of the greater women’s hockey community. Two forwards from the Minnesota Whitecaps - Kate Schipper and Sadie Lundquist - will compete on Team Leveille and Team Ott, respectively. They will join the NWHL All-Stars for the Skills Competition on Saturday and the 4-on-4 game on Sunday.

Additionally, USA Hockey alumna Tricia (Dunn) Luoma and Winny (Brodt) Brown will serve as the coaches for the All-Star Weekend. Luoma will coach Team Ott and Brown will coach Team Leveille.

*Updated to reflect coaching assignments