Women’s College Hockey: Latest Commitments

The 2017-18 season is getting closer and rosters are already taking shape. Many promising commits were welcomed in November and December.

The 2017-18 college season looks to be even more talented and competitive by the minute. There were many college commitment announcements at the end of 2016; take a look below at some of the highlights.

Liz Schepers, F, Ohio State

Ohio State is still trying to build a solid team and Liz Schepers is an excellent addition for them on offense. Schepers played three seasons with Mound Westonka in the Minnesota State High School League, where she managed 81 goals and 56 assists, for a whopping total of 137 points, in just 75 games. This season, she’s expanded on her elite experience by playing with the Minnesota Jr. Whitecaps. Everyone in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) should take note: Liz Schepers is a force to be reckoned with.

Skylar Podvey, D, St. Lawrence

St. Lawrence has been buzzed about all season with their good play and they surely want that to continue into next season. Skylar Podvey is a great addition to an already good team. She’s a defenseman with offensive capabilities: in 14 games played this season with the North American Hockey Academy (NAHA) White team in Vermont, she has 17 points.

Jessica O’Leary, G, RIT

An experienced goaltender is always much appreciated and Jessica O’Leary definitely falls into that category. She started 17 games last season for the Athol Murray College of Notre Dame in the Provincial Women’s Hockey League (PWHL). In those games, she posted a 2.12 GAA and a .919 save percentage.

Mariah Hunds, D, Lindenwood

Another defenseman with solid offensive skills is Mariah Hinds, who currently plays for the Toronto Leaside Junior Wildcats. After two quiet seasons with the Junior Wildcats, Hinds broke out last year, ending the season with 24 points in 38 games played. Lindenwood will surely appreciate her talent.

Lisa Bruno, D, Ohio State

Like Mariah Hinds, Lisa Bruno is a defenseman in the PWHL. She’s had a notable career with the Durham West Junior Lightning and, this year, she was made captain. So far in the 2016-17 season, Bruno has nine points in 17 games played. She also has playoff experience; last year, she played 10 postseason games with the Junior Lightning. Playing in the postseason is a huge component of NCAA and Bruno’s experience in that arena will be useful to her new team.

Kristen McKinley, F, Colgate

Kristen McKinley has experience in both the North American Prep Hockey Association (NAPHA) and the Canadian National U-18 team. She currently plays for the Rothesay Netherwood School, where she has three points in six games played this season. McKinley also got a taste of representing her country this past summer when she played on the Canada U-18 team in a series against the U.S.

Baylee Trani, F, RIT

Baylee Trani has taken her game across the country. The Huntington Beach, CA native now plays for the New England Hockey Club (NEHC) in Massachusetts. So far this season, she has five goals in 15 games played.

Abby Krzyzaniak, D, University of Alberta

Does the name Krzyzaniak sound familiar? It should — Abby’s older sister, Halli, is a notable defenseman at the University of North Dakota. Abby Krzyzaniak also plays defense, and this year she got to show off her skills at the national level in the 2016 National Women’s U-18 tournament. She’s played with many teams throughout Canada and will continue to do so next season at the University of Alberta.