Wcha Alumni Ready for 2016-17 Professional
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE WCHA ALUMNI READY FOR 2016-17 PROFESSIONAL CAMPAIGN Three dozen former Association players, representing all eight member institutions, to play for NWHC, CWHL and Minnesota Whitecaps EDINA, Minn. – Oct. 3, 2016 – Three dozen former Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) Women’s League players will start the season on the rosters of the two professional women’s hockey leagues this season. Eighteen WCHA alumni are spending the 2016-17 season playing in the National Women's Hockey League (NWHL), while 18 former Association players are competing in the Canadian Women's Hockey League (CWHL). The NWHL season begins its second season Friday, Oct. 7, when the Buffalo Beauts host the Boston Pride, the defending champions. Minnesota and Wisconsin each have seven players competing in the four-team NWHL, while Bemidji State, Ohio State, St. Cloud State and Minnesota Duluth all have one player apiece in the league. Former Wisconsin star and 2012 Patty Kazmaier Award winner Brianna Decker was voted the NWHL’s Most Valuable Player during the league’s inaugural 2015-16 campaign. The 2016-17 season marks the 10th season for the Canadian Women’s Hockey League, with the opening weekend set for Saturday, Oct. 15 and Sunday, Oct. 16. Minnesota Duluth has eight former players in the CWHL, while Ohio State and Wisconsin have three alums on CWHL rosters. Minnesota has two alums and Bemidji State and St. Cloud State each have one player in the league. Former UMD star Caroline Ouellette, a four-time Olympic gold medalist for Team Canada, is the all-time leading scorer in the CWHL. The Minnesota Whitecaps, an elite women's hockey team made up of post-collegiate players, also has 22 former WCHA players – from seven league schools – on its Minneapolis-based roster. It includes nine former Minnesota players (Rachael Bona, Hannah Brandt, Winny Brown, Katie Frischmann, Mira Jalosuo, Becky Kortum, Meghan Lorence, Chelsey Rosenthal and Kelly Seeler), four North Dakota alumni (Shelby Amsley-Benzie, Tanja Eischenschmid, Jocelyne Lamoureux-Davidson and Monique Lamoureux- Morando) and four from St. Cloud State (Julie Friend, Carrie Holldorf, Meaghan Pezon and Haylea Schmid), two players from Minnesota Duluth (Jenny Potter and Emma Stauber), and one each from Bemidji State (Stephanie Anderson), Minnesota State (Alli Altmann) and Wisconsin (Alex Rigsby). WCHA ALUMNI READY FOR 2016-17 PROFESSIONAL CAMAPAIGN | 1 of 2 Here are the WCHA alumni on NWHL and CWHL team rosters, effective Oct. 3: NWHL (18) Boston (5): Brianna Decker, Wisconsin; Meghan Duggan, Wisconsin, Zoe Hickel, Minnesota Duluth; Hilary Knight, Wisconsin; Gigi Marvin, Minnesota Buffalo (5): Megan Bozek, Minnesota; Jordyn Burns, Minnesota; Lisa Chesson, Ohio State; Amanda Leveille, Minnesota; Anne Schleper, Minnesota Connecticut (3): Ivana Bilic, Bemidji State; Jordan Brickner, Wisconsin; Molly Engstrom, Wisconsin New York (5): Courtney Burke, Wisconsin; Katie Fitzgerald, St. Cloud State; Amanda Kessel, Minnesota; Milica McMillen, Minnesota; Madison Packer, Wisconsin CWHL (18) Brampton (4): Jocelyne Larocque, Minnesota Duluth; Laura McIntosh, Ohio State; Jenna McParland, Minnesota Duluth; Kaitlyn Tougas, Bemidji State Calgary (5): Sarah Davis, Minnesota; Haley Irwin, Minnesota Duluth; Brigette Lacquette, Minnesota Duluth; Meghan Mickelson, Wisconsin; Blayre Turnbull, Wisconsin Montreal (3): Emanuelle Blais, Minnesota Duluth; Noemie Marin, Minnesota Duluth; Caroline Ouellette, Minnesota Duluth Toronto (6): Michelle Cava, Minnesota Duluth; Danielle Gagne, Ohio State; Carolyne Prevost, Wisconsin; Vanessa Spataro, St. Cloud State; Natalie Spooner, Ohio State; Kelly Terry, Minnesota About the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) The women’s Western Collegiate Hockey Association has won a record 16 national championships in 17 years since its inception in 1999, while producing six Patty Kazmaier Award winners, 86 All-Americans and numerous Olympic and international team members. The eight-team Division 1 conference consists of: Bemidji State University (Beavers), the University of Minnesota (Golden Gophers), the University of Minnesota Duluth (Bulldogs), Minnesota State University (Mavericks), the University of North Dakota, Ohio State University (Buckeyes), St. Cloud State University (Huskies) and the University of Wisconsin (Badgers). For more information, visit www.wcha.com. MEDIA CONTACT Matt Hodson Associate Commissioner for Public Relations E: [email protected] O: 952.818.8872 M: 612.801.2808 MORE INFORMATION Website: wcha.com Twitter: @wcha_whockey Instagram: @wcha_whockey Facebook: facebook.com/wchawomenshockey – WCHA – WCHA ALUMNI READY FOR 2016-17 PROFESSIONAL CAMAPAIGN | 2 of 2 .