2011 Women’s Hockey Preview

Hilary Knight
Wisconsin
Senior
Forward
Key Notes:
• Two-time First Team
All-American
• Finalist for Kazmaier Memorial Award

Noora Räty
Minnesota
Junior
Goalie
Key Notes:
• First Team All-WCHA
• Two-time All-American
• 964 saves last season

Haley Irwin
Minnesota-Duluth
Senior
Forward
Key Notes:
• Named team captain for this season
• Led the team with 30 assists last season

Rebecca Johnston
Cornell
Senior
Forward
Key Notes:
• 2010-11 All-ECAC and All-Ivy first team
• Finished with 50 points on a team-best 26 goals and 24 assists

Emily Michelin
Adrian
Sophomore
Goalie
Key Notes:
• Recorded 572 saves last season
• 2010 First Team All-American
 

Kait Mason
UW-River Falls
Sophomore
Forward
Key Notes:
•UW-River Falls Female Athlete of the Year
• Established a school record for points in a season

Geneva Lloyd
Amherst
Junior
Defense
Key Notes:
• Garnered All-America Second Team honors
• Named First Team All-NESCAC
 

Stacey Hochkins
Holy Cross
Senior
Forward
Key Notes:
• Named ECAC East Most Valuable Player
• Led team with 24 goals and 22 assists
 

Wisconsin Badgers
Key Players: Hilary Knight (Senior, Forward), Brianna Decker (Junior, Forward), Brooke Ammerman (Senior, Forward).

Notes: Wisconsin arguably has the best frontline in college hockey and is looking to break the NCAA consecutive wins streak. The Badgers will be heavy favorites in the postseason even without last year’s Kazmaier winner Meghan Duggan.

Minnesota Golden Gophers
Key Players: Noora Räty (Junior, Goalie), Amanda Kessel (Sophomore, Forward), Sarah Erickson (Senior, Forward)

Notes: All-American goalie Noora Räty and the rest of the Gophers are expected to challenge Wisconsin for a league title. Minnesota returns most of its firepower, as 96 percent of last season’s scoring returns for 2011-12, including the top 11 scorers from last year’s squad.

Cornell Big Red
Key Players: Rebecca Johnston (Senior, Forward), Brianne Jenner (Sophomore, Forward), Laura Fortino (Junior, Defenseman).

Notes: Cornell, coming off two consecutive national semifinals appearances, is once again loaded throughout their roster. The Big Red is expected to run away with a ECAC title.

Norwich Cadets
Key Players: Melissa Rundlett (Senior, Forward); Renee Lortie (Sophomore, Forward); Amanda Wilks (Senior, Defensemen).

Notes: In five short years of existence, Norwich has gone from the new kid on the block to defending national champs. Once again the Cadets feature a deep roster and are expected to challenge for a national title.

RIT Tigers
Key Players: Megan Kobar (Senior, Forward); Kourtney Kunichika (Sophomore, Forward); Kim Schlattman (Junior, Forward).

Notes: The Tigers return 18 players to a squad that fell one game short of a national title. Junior Kim Schlattman will serve as captain this season for the Tigers.