Old news but here are the
2023-24 student athlete commitments to Minnesota Women's Hockey announced last November.
Minnesota's largest signing class since 2018 is made up of five Minnesotans and the first Hungarian in program history.
gophersports.com
Biographies from Gophers below plus I added information:
Isa Goettl, Forward, Andover High School (Andover, Minn.)
"A left-handed forward, Isa Goettl joins the Gophers from Andover High School. With the Huskies, she was a two-time MSHSL AA state champion ('20, '22) and was named to the 2022 All-Conference, All-State and All-Tournament Teams.
The Minnesota Ms. Hockey nominee tallied 56 points in 29 games last season.
As a freshman, Goettl won team Rookie of the Year while sharing a lineup with current Gophers
Peyton Hemp and
Madison Kaiser."
Goettl is a semi-finalist for Ms. Hockey 2023:
"On a team loaded with talent, Isa Goettl stands out despite her small frame. Toughness, grit and talent are a solid mix for Goettl who will play collegiately at the University of Minnesota. Like Boerger she is a 4-year starter and a two-time state champion. She leads the Huskies with 39 helpers this season after a 56-point campaign last season where the Huskies went 30-0 to claim their second state title in three years.
“Isa is a tenacious and crafty forward that is well known to her opponents and is a fan favorite due to her style of play,” said head coach Melissa Volk. “She has been an instrumental part of our success these last four years in which she has won two state championships her freshman and junior seasons. Assistant captain last year and Captain this year her work ethic and unwavering gritty style of play is one for all our high school and youth players to look up to.”
10 Semifinalists named for Ms. Hockey Award 02/10/2023, 2:30pm CST By Bryan Zollman, Let's Play Hockey 5 Finalists announced Feb. 17, winner announced at Feb. 26 banquet Ten Semifinalists have been named for the coveted Ms. Hockey Award, presented by Let’s Play Hockey, the Minnes
www.mghca.com
Josie Hemp, Defender, Minnetonka High School (Andover, Minn.)
"A right-handed defender from Andover, Minn., Josie Hemp joins the Gophers from Minnetonka High School.
With the Skippers, tallied 39 points in 29 games and was named all-conference and an honorable mention to the all-state team. As a freshman, Hemp won a state title with Andover High School with fellow-signee Isa Goettl and current Gophers
Peyton Hemp and
Madison Kaiser. She is a three-time 'A' honor roll student and the younger sister of
Peyton Hemp."
Hemp is a semi-finalist for Ms. Hockey 2023:
"Hemp is a captain, leader and blueline stalwart for a Minnetonka squad that has maintained the top ranking in girls hockey for much of the year. On a team loaded with talent she is a at the top with a two-way game that includes the ability to shut down the team's opposing best player, but also the ability to move the puck efficiently offensively. Any good team needs a player on the blue line that can shut down opponents and that is Josie Hemp for Minnetonka. Hemp will continue her playing career at the University of Minnesota.
“She controls the hockey game with her poised puck possession, intelligent decision-making, team first play-making skills, and her talents to provide offense all while playing staunch defense,” said Minnetonka Head Coach Tracy Cassanno. "She logs more ice time on our team than any other player, and is often matched up against our opponents’ top lines. We rely on her to shut these players down night in and night out. She has incredible stamina and endurance; she never seems to get tired throughout even the toughest of games. She is extremely crafty with the puck, whether she is breaking the puck out of our zone, leading the rush up the ice, or running the top of the power play. Josie is a team Captain who leads with her competitive edge, passion for the game, inclusive attitude towards all of her teammates, and a mentality of doing whatever it takes to help her team win.”"
10 Semifinalists named for Ms. Hockey Award 02/10/2023, 2:30pm CST By Bryan Zollman, Let's Play Hockey 5 Finalists announced Feb. 17, winner announced at Feb. 26 banquet Ten Semifinalists have been named for the coveted Ms. Hockey Award, presented by Let’s Play Hockey, the Minnes
www.mghca.com
Elly Klepinger, Defender, Minnetonka High School (Corcoran, Minn.)
"A left-handed defender, Elly Klepinger joins the Gophers from Minnetonka High School.
With the Skippers, Klepinger tallied 30 points in 31 games last season and was named an honorable mention for the all-state team. Prior to her time with Minnetonka, she won two class A state titles with the Breck School and fellow signee Ava Lindsay and current Gophers
Sadie Lindsay and
Emily Zumwinkle.
Klepinger represented the United States at the U18 Series in Calgary in August."
Emma Kreisz, Forward, Stanstead College (Budapest, Hungary)
"A left-handed forward, Emma Kreisz joins the Gophers from Stanstead College in Canada. The first player to hail from Hungary in program history represented her home country at the 2022 IIHF Women's World Championship. She scored a goal against Sweden in that tournament.
Kreisz tallied 47 points in 37 games in her first season with Stanstead last season."
The Hockey News named Kreisz to the top 23-and-under talent at the 2022 women’s World Championship list that also included Gophers Taylor Heise, Nelli Laitinen, Grace Zumwinkle, and Josefin Bouveng.
"It’s hard to judge Kreisz, who is still a teenager on a weak Hungarian team. Still, she is the future of Hungary’s attack internationally, which was evident when Kreisz had a point per game for Hungary at the Olympic qualifiers. With good edges and offensive instincts, Kreisz isn't afraid to take the puck solo to the net. The Stanstead College star will join the University of Minnesota in 2023-2024."
Ava Lindsay, Forward, Minnetonka High School (Minnetonka, Minn.)
"A right-handed forward, Ava Lindsay joins the Gophers from Minnetonka High School.
With the Skippers, Lindsay tallied 58 points in 30 games last season and was named team forward of the year. The sister of current Gopher
Sadie Lindsay is a two-time all-state and all-tournament team honoree. She won three class A state titles with the Breck School and fellow signee Elly Klepinger and current Gophers
Sadie Lindsay and
Emily Zumwinkle.
Lindsay also won silver with Team USA at the U18 Women's World Championships this past summer."
Lindsay is a semi-finalist for Ms. Hockey 2023:
"Lindsay is the top goal scorer on the top team in the state. A member of Team USA’s U18 squad, she has three state titles to her credit while playing at Breck before transferring to Minnetonka. Last season she led the Skippers with 57 points, as they came one win short of a state title. A three-time All-State recipient and 4-time all-conference player, Lindsay will play collegiately at the University of Minnesota.
“Ava Lindsay is the most dynamic and electric hockey player in the State,” said head coach Tracy Cassano. “She creates highlight reel plays with her puck possession better than any other player. Her hockey IQ, vision, puck skills, smooth skating edgework, and offensive talents make her one of the most feared forwards to play against. She is a remarkable talent and exceptionally fun to coach. She is a two-way player with a refuse to lose mentality. She is an unselfish player who makes the right plays, at the right time, for the right reasons. Ava is a team captain for the Skippers. She is truly humble and leads by example through her incredible work ethic, upbeat attitude, and calm demeanor on a daily basis. She is always the first player to compliment her teammates and she makes everyone around her a better hockey player and person. Ava is loved and well respected by her teammates and opponents. She has earned the right to represent our country in the U18 Worlds Tournament as a member of the USA Women’s team the past two seasons. Ava is an all-around MVP player and teammate.”
10 Semifinalists named for Ms. Hockey Award 02/10/2023, 2:30pm CST By Bryan Zollman, Let's Play Hockey 5 Finalists announced Feb. 17, winner announced at Feb. 26 banquet Ten Semifinalists have been named for the coveted Ms. Hockey Award, presented by Let’s Play Hockey, the Minnes
www.mghca.com
Ava Lindsay was named Star Tribune Metro Player of the Year [2023]:
Lindsay lives by a family credo that insists she does nothing lightly yet she manages to lead with a soft touch.
www.startribune.com
Lauren O'Hara, Forward, Centennial High School (Blaine, Minn.)
"A right-handed forward, Lauren O'Hara joins the Gophers from Centennial High School.
Last season with the Cougars, O'Hara tallied 51 points in 28 games and was named an honorable mention to the all-state team. She is a three-time all-conference team honoree and a two-time team MVP. O'Hara is also a three-time 'A' honor roll student."
O'Hara is a semi-finalist for Ms. Hockey 2023:
"O’Hara has a rare combination of size and skill. The 5’11” forward has led Centennial/Spring Lake Park to a top-10 ranking all season. She has 31 goals in 25 games and is coming off a 51-points season as a junior. She is a three-time Team MVP and will play next season at the University of Minnesota.
“Lauren has helped build a legacy at Centennial that will last many years.,” said head coach Sean Molin. “She was instrumental as a leader in changing the culture into a positive, winning one. She is adored by her teammates, and she is always the hardest worker on the ice. She stayed home, didn’t join one of the super teams, and was still able to achieve her goals. She is a perfect example of what a top girls hockey player in Minnesota should be. Others may have better stats due to the situations on their teams, or the competition they have faced, but none will likely have done more for their community and girls hockey in Minnesota than Lauren.”
10 Semifinalists named for Ms. Hockey Award 02/10/2023, 2:30pm CST By Bryan Zollman, Let's Play Hockey 5 Finalists announced Feb. 17, winner announced at Feb. 26 banquet Ten Semifinalists have been named for the coveted Ms. Hockey Award, presented by Let’s Play Hockey, the Minnes
www.mghca.com
O'Hara was named East Metro Girls Hockey Player of the Year by Pioneer Press:
“She’s pretty much doing everything for the team,” Centennial / Spring Lake Park coach Sean Molin said.
www.twincities.com
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And the new commits form last season currently on the team, old news:
MINNEAPOLIS – Head coach Brad Frost and the Golden Gopher women's hockey team are pleased to announce the addition of two incoming student-athletes for the 2...
gophersports.com
Allie Franco, Forward/Defense, Hill-Murray (Oakdale, Minn.)
"A left-handed forward/defense, Allie Franco joins the Gophers from Hill-Murray. She was named all-conference all four years with the Pioneers and was named as an honorable mention on the 2020-21 All-State team. Franco was invited to USA U15 National Camp, USA U18 National Camp, and USA U18 Festival. The multi-sport athlete was named all-conference in softball as well. Franco brings exceptional leadership qualities to the Gophers, as she was named captain on both her hockey and softball teams."
Madison Kaiser, Forward, Holy Family (Ham Lake, Minn.)
"A left-handed forward from Ham Lake, Minn., Madison Kaiser joins the Gophers from Holy Family Catholic High School. Prior to her time at Holy Family, Kaiser played for Andover High School. With the Huskies, she won the 2019 MSHSL state title alongside current Gopher freshman
Peyton Hemp. Kaiser was a member of the U.S. women's U18 team in 2021 and was named captain at Holy Family for her senior season."