2025-26 NCAA Preview: NEWHA
A look at the 25-26 season for the teams of NEWHA.
Editor's Note: This is a guest post by freelance contributor Sarah Mahannah.
The 2025-26 NEWHA season is approaching fast, and it’s time to let the games begin.
With Sacred Heart entering as the defending tournament champion and Long Island University (LIU) looking to bounce back after dominating the regular season in 2024–25.
Defending tournament champion Sacred Heart returns to the ice with momentum and confidence. After stunning conference leader LIU in the 2025 NEWHA championship game, the Pioneers will look to build on that success behind veteran forwards like Isabella Chaput, whose playoff performance was outstanding.
The Sharks topped the regular-season standings last year and will be looking to avenge that loss but their fate is unsure as their new starting goaltender is a fresh face to the team. Ida Huber will be taking over. Only time will tell if the Sharks’ defense will keep up.
Stonehill College is poised to take another step forward. The Skyhawks are backed by goaltender Alexsa Caron, who shattered several program records in her debut year. She earned a program-record six NEWHA Weekly Awards and was named the NEWHA Rookie of the Month for November. She capped off an impressive season by being named to the All-NEWHA Rookie Team.
Beyond the top contenders, Saint Anselm and Franklin Pierce are both in transition but could challenge if their younger cores mature quickly. Assumption and Saint Michael’s are still developing their programs but will look to steal points and build consistency throughout the season. Coaching changes and incoming freshmen across the league mean we could see early surprises, especially as teams adapt to new systems.
Franklin Pierce remains a program with offensive upside but has struggled to maintain defensive consistency. They returned some firepower up front and ranked forth in pre pre-season coaches poll. This could be a promising season.
Saint Anselm is a team that often flies under the radar but could make real noise this year. They were picked fifth in the NEWHA preseason coaches’ poll and added 2025 junior league all star goaltender Kayla Czukoski. Saint Anselm’s structure and discipline are strengths, and if they can generate more offense and get to the net with frequency, they could push for a semifinal berth or better.
Assumption is still in a building phase but has some interesting pieces in place. Their success this year will hinge on whether their goaltending can improve and if they can generate enough offense to keep pace with the stronger teams in the league.
Post University and Saint Michael’s round out the conference, and both will be underdogs again this season. Post has added a few promising players but face an uphill battle in a deepening conference. Saint Michael’s, meanwhile, is in full rebuild mode. They’ll rely on underclassmen in key roles and need to improve dramatically in both ends to avoid another season at the bottom of the standings.
Player Radar
Along with the new season, come some players to watch out for this year. Here are some returning players to keep an eye out for.
- Alexsa Caron (Goaltender, Stonehill): After a great freshman season, Caron returns as one of the league’s top goalies. If she continues to develop, Stonehill could be a top-three team.
- Bailey Feeney (Forward, Stonehill): Feeney was top five in conference points last year and first on her team. Another season like this could help the Skyhawks soar forward.
- Isabella Chaput (Forward, Sacred Heart): The reigning NEWHA Tournament MVP, Chaput was clutch in Sacred Heart’s title run last season. She’s a speedy, physical forward who excels in transition and on the penalty kill. As a senior leader, she’ll be leaned on for both scoring and leadership.
- Maggie Kornata (Defense, Franklin Pierce): After a spectacular performance last season, awarded NEWHA’s defensemen of the year (first in program history), Kornata is a defensemen to watch out for and can assist the Ravens to nationals.
The first conference matchups start Friday Sept. 26 with Saint Michael’s facing off with Saint Anselm in Manchester. The game will be streamed on FloHockey.
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