University of Minnesota Athletics
2003-04 Gopher Women's Hockey Outlook
9/29/2003 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
"We believe that we have something to prove after finishing fourth at last year's NCAA Frozen Four," head coach Laura Halldorson said. "We learned a lot through that experience, and our players and staff are very motivated to improve upon that finish. Obviously, in order to do that, we need to work very hard throughout the entire season. Our game schedule will be a great challenge as we will face strong league opponents as well as some of the best teams from the East."
To top it off, the Golden Gophers will host the Western Collegiate Hockey Association Final Five on their home ice, Ridder Arena, on March 12-14. This season marks the first year the WCHA will have the league championship on a charter member's home ice. The Gophers completed their first year in the facility in 2002-03, posting an 11-2-1 record.
"Our first season in Ridder was amazing," Halldorson said. "I think the atmosphere in that facility on game days was even better than I had imagined it would be. When we put 3,000 Gopher fans and the band in there, it gets awfully loud each time a goal is scored. I know that our players love playing in Ridder because the arena and our fans definitely give us a home ice advantage. It's a great environment for college hockey."
Goaltending
Minnesota boasts one of the best goalies in the nation in junior netminder Jody Horak. A Blaine, Minn., native, Horak finished the 2002-03 campaign with a 23-6-0 record, breaking former Gopher Erica Killewald's record for most wins in a season. Horak finished the season ranked first in the WCHA in save percentage (.927), second in winning percentage (.793) and third in goals against average (1.85). For the second time in two years, Horak was named to the All-WCHA First Team, the only goalie to earn first-team All-WCHA honors twice since the induction of the league in 1999-2000. Horak established another first in her career. In August of 2003, Horak was selected to the USA Hockey Festival and earned a starting spot on the Under-22 team. Horak started in all three games against Team Canada, earning a 2-0-1 record against the Canadians. Horak earned a shutout in a 2-0 win and stopped 32-of-36 shots on goal.
Brenda Reinen provided quality play as well between the pipes. In the beginning of the 2002-03 season, Reinen suffered an injury, hindering her from play for the majority of the season. Reinen played in 10 games, including seven in the starting position. Of her seven starts, Reinen posted a 4-2-1 record and a .910 percent save percentage. Reinen, a Sun Prairie, Wis., native, posted her second career shutout on February 23, 2003, when the Golden Gophers won 4-0 over Minnesota State.
"Having two strong goaltenders over the past two years has definitely been an advantage for us," Halldorson said. "Both Jody and Brenda have contributed a lot to our program on the ice. Last season, Jody played more games because Brenda had nagging injuries and she had a great sophomore season. They'll compete against each other again this year for playing time, but it's a very positive situation because they do such a good job of pushing and supporting each other."
Defense
The Golden Gophers lost two of their best defenseman in recent history in two-time All-American Ronda Curtin and Winny Brodt. However, Minnesota has a strong corps of returning blueliners and recruited two of the top defensive players in the nation. At the blue line, the Gophers return Ashley Albrecht, Chelsey Brodt, Krista Johnson and Allie Sanchez.
Albrecht, from South St. Paul, Minn., returns to the lineup after a successful summer at the USA Hockey Festival. In her second appearance with the nation's best, Albrecht scored a goal and an assist as a member of the Red Team. In her freshman season, Albrecht played in 32 games and scored a goal and six assists for the Golden Gophers. Brodt also tallied seven points in her debut season with the Gophers. Although the Roseville native played primarily on defense, she also played four weeks as a forward last year, scoring her first career goal in the 4-2 win over Minnesota-Duluth on Feb. 15. Krista Johnson and Allie Sanchez will also return to the blue line for the Gophers. Sanchez played in every game and scored 12 points for Minnesota. Sanchez may also take on responsibilities as a forward in games. Johnson tallied three points and was named the team's Most Improved Player by the end of the 2002-03 season.
Minnesota will also look to freshman defenders Danielle Ashley and Lyndsay Wall to step into the Gopher lineup immediately. Last year, Ashley and Wall were considered among the top defensive recruits and expectations are running high that the duo will be able to contribute early. Ashley, a Burlington, Ont., native, was a member of the Beatrice Senior Aeros, scoring 14 points in the 2001-02 season. Ashley was also a member of Team Ontario at the 2003 Canada Winter Games. Wall, hailing from Churchville, N.Y., was the youngest member of the 2002 U.S. Olympic Team. She played all five games for Team USA, helping win a silver medal. Wall joined teammates Darwitz, Horak and Stephens on the 2003 Under-22 Team, her third appearance in three years.
"Losing seniors Ronda Curtin and Winny Brodt has left a hole in our returning defensive corps," Halldorson said. "However, I feel confident that our two incoming defenders will both contribute right away and will help fill that void. Lyndsay and Danielle both possess size, toughness, and skill. They compliment our talented returning defenders in Ashley, Chelsey, Allie, and Krista. Although we will be young on the blue line, I'm confident that we have the personnel to get the job done this season."
Forwards
The Golden Gophers welcome back 70 percent of their point production from 2002-03, including 62 percent coming from the forwards. Minnesota returns nine forwards, all of which totalled 231 of the team's 370 points last year. As a freshman last season, Natalie Darwitz led Minnesota in total points, racking up 68 points. In 33 games played, Darwitz ranks third in school history for most points in a season with 68. She ranked third in WCHA scoring and sixth in the nation. The Eagan, Minn., native gained national recognition when she was named a Top 10 Patty Kazmaier finalist and earned first-team All-America honors. Darwitz, the 2003 WCHA Rookie of the Year, was also a first-team All-WCHA selection and was named to the WCHA All-Rookie Team. She also was named the WCHA Rookie of the Week six times last year, the most by any other Minnesota freshman in school history. Darwitz went on to compete at the USA Hockey Festival as a member of the Under-22 Team. While competing against Team Canada, Darwitz led the Red, White and Blue with four points, including a game-winning goal.
Krissy Wendell tallied 55 points in her first year as a Gopher, playing in only 25 of 36 games. Wendell missed eight games due to a fractured collarbone, but remained the second-leading scorer. She led the team in shooting percentage (.209) and game-winning goals (six). Although missing 11 regular season games, Wendell still earned WCHA and national honors as a member of the Maroon and Gold. She and teammate Darwitz were named to the Patty Kazmaier Top 10 list, an award given to the top women's hockey player in the nation. The duo were the only two freshman in the mix. Wendell, from Brooklyn Park, Minn., gained second-team All-America honors, second-team All-WCHA honors and was a member of the WCHA All-Rookie Team. She was also named the WCHA Rookie of the Week four times last season, the second-most by any Golden Gopher.
"There's no question that Krissy and Natalie stood out as freshmen. I expect their sophomore seasons to be even better because they now have a year of college under their belts. Other returning forwards include La Toya Clarke, Kelly Stephens, Kelsey Bills, Jerilyn Glenn, Melissa Coulombe, Noelle Sutton, and Stacy Troumbly. By adding freshmen Andrea Nichols, Becky Wacker, and Maggie Souba, we feel that we have great depth up front."
Stephens returns for her third season with the Gophers. A junior from Shoreline, Wash., Stephens ranked fifth on the team in scoring with 34 points. As a sophomore, Stephens scored 19 goals, ranking her third on the team. Stephens tied for the team lead with eight power-play goals and scored two short-handed goals. In her two-year tenure, Stephens has notched 42 goals and 36 assists for 78 points. She also established herself as one of the nation's best women's hockey players, representing USA Hockey. Stephens missed two games when she was on Team USA's roster last November competing in the Four Nations Cup. Stephens will again represent Team USA this November as a member of the U.S. Select Team when she competes at the Four Nations Cup with Gopher teammates Darwitz, Wall and Wendell. She also played at the USA Hockey Festival and was a member of the Under-22 Team that competed against Canada.
Also returning for their senior seasons are co-captains La Toya Clarke and Kelsey Bills. Clarke was seventh on the team in scoring with 23 points. She was named the WCHA Offensive Player of the Week after scoring the game-tying, short-handed goal for the Gophers in a 2-2 tie against Bemidji State, Nov. 9. However, the triumph wouldn't last long after she injured her ankle in that very same game. The injury sidelined her for only one game, however, it limited Clarke's playing ability the remainder of the first semester. Clarke, a Pickering, Ont., native, turned it on in the second half of the season, but Canada's Under-22 Team was calling her this time. She missed three games to compete in Germany at the European Air Canada Cup. Clarke returned to the Minnesota lineup and scored six points, three of which came in the WCHA Final Five. She was named to the all-tournament team when she scored two goals and an assist in the semifinal and championship games. At the end of the season, Clarke received the team's Unsung Hero Award for her determination and hard work last year.
Bills scored nine points for Minnesota last sesaon, the most single-season point contribution of her three-year tenure. Bills, an alternate captain last season, established many firsts in her junior year. The 2002-03 season marked the first time Bills scored power-play, short-handed and game-winning goals. Her game-winner was her most significant when she scored against Minnesota-Duluth for a 4-2 win, Feb. 15, after a 7-1 loss the night before.
"I feel good about this year's leadership," Halldorson said. "We have a great senior class and two dedicated captains. Melissa and Jerilyn will both be strong senior leaders and La Toya and Kelsey will represent us very well as team captains. I know that these young women want to end their careers on a high note, so they're very focused, motivated, and excited. Kelsey and La Toya will do a great job of leading by example, both on and off the ice, and by speaking up when necessary. I expect them to lead their teammates and communicate with the coaching staff in very positive ways."
Coulombe returns for her fourth and final year for the Gophers after a successful junior campaign. Coulombe was asked to switch positions midway through the season, from a defenseman to a forward. The move paid off when she scored the most single-season points in her Golden Gopher career with 17. Hailing from St. Pierre-Jolys, Man., Coulombe also had the team's best plus/minus rating with +35 and earned the team's Best Plus/Minus Award last season.
Glenn is also returning for her final season with the Gophers. In her junior year, the Ham Lake, Minn., native scored two goals and four assists for six points. One of Glenn's goals of the 2002-03 season will be a Gopher women's hockey trivia fact for years to come. Glenn netted the first-ever goal in the Ridder Arena during the grand opening on Oct. 19, 2002 against St. Cloud State.
Sutton ranked eighth on the team in scoring with 18 points on the season. Hailing from Maple Grove, Minn., Sutton improved on her freshman year total of 11 points, notching seven goals and 11 assists for 18 points. She had a plus/minus rating of +8 and had two game-winning goals. Troumbly, who switched from a defenseman to a forward midway through last season will also return for her third season.
With an already talented returning corps, Minnesota adds freshmen sensations Andrea Nichols, Maggie Souba and Becky Wacker. Nichols, a Mt. Iron, Minn., native, was last year's recipient of the Let's Play Hockey Ms. Hockey Award, which is given to the top senior girls hockey player in the state of Minnesota. She led the state of Minnesota in scoring the past three years as a member of the Hibbing/Chisholm girls team, notching 457 points. Nichols is no stranger to national competition, competing two years at the USA Hockey Festival, as one of the youngest members in attendance. Souba, a Moorhead, Minn., native, was a top-five candidate for the Ms. Hockey award last year. She led the Moorhead High School Spuds to a 21-4-1 record during the 2002-03 season, scoring 46 points. Souba also participated in the 2000 and 2001 USA Hockey Developmental Camps. Wacker, from York, Maine, scored the power-play, game-winning goal to help Assabet Valley win the 2003 Under-19 USA Hockey Women's National Championship. Along with playing for Assabet, Wacker played for the York boys team. Wacker was selected the team's captain her junior and senior years at York and was named the most valuable player. The University of Minnesota women's hockey team, like any collegiate team, looks to strive for the very best and achieve its goals. Some team's goals may differ, but one common factor still remains: every team wants to win. Some teams want to win a certain amount of games, while others aim for their conference championship. However, the 2003-04 edition of the Gopher women's hockey team wants the ultimate goal, to make their third consecutive appearance at the NCAA Frozen Four and be given the opportunity to win a national championship. With the loss of only four letterwinners, the Golden Gophers added depth to an already talented group. Minnesota returns nine forwards, four defensemen and two goalies, while adding one of the nation's best recruiting classes to the mix.
"We believe that we have something to prove after finishing fourth at last year's NCAA Frozen Four," head coach Laura Halldorson said. "We learned a lot through that experience, and our players and staff are very motivated to improve upon that finish. Obviously, in order to do that, we need to work very hard throughout the entire season. Our game schedule will be a great challenge as we will face strong league opponents as well as some of the best teams from the East."
To top it off, the Golden Gophers will host the Western Collegiate Hockey Association Final Five on their home ice, Ridder Arena, on March 12-14. This season marks the first year the WCHA will have the league championship on a charter member's home ice. The Gophers completed their first year in the facility in 2002-03, posting an 11-2-1 record.
"Our first season in Ridder was amazing," Halldorson said. "I think the atmosphere in that facility on game days was even better than I had imagined it would be. When we put 3,000 Gopher fans and the band in there, it gets awfully loud each time a goal is scored. I know that our players love playing in Ridder because the arena and our fans definitely give us a home ice advantage. It's a great environment for college hockey."
Goaltending
Minnesota boasts one of the best goalies in the nation in junior netminder Jody Horak. A Blaine, Minn., native, Horak finished the 2002-03 campaign with a 23-6-0 record, breaking former Gopher Erica Killewald's record for most wins in a season. Horak finished the season ranked first in the WCHA in save percentage (.927), second in winning percentage (.793) and third in goals against average (1.85). For the second time in two years, Horak was named to the All-WCHA First Team, the only goalie to earn first-team All-WCHA honors twice since the induction of the league in 1999-2000. Horak established another first in her career. In August of 2003, Horak was selected to the USA Hockey Festival and earned a starting spot on the Under-22 team. Horak started in all three games against Team Canada, earning a 2-0-1 record against the Canadians. Horak earned a shutout in a 2-0 win and stopped 32-of-36 shots on goal.
Brenda Reinen provided quality play as well between the pipes. In the beginning of the 2002-03 season, Reinen suffered an injury, hindering her from play for the majority of the season. Reinen played in 10 games, including seven in the starting position. Of her seven starts, Reinen posted a 4-2-1 record and a .910 percent save percentage. Reinen, a Sun Prairie, Wis., native, posted her second career shutout on February 23, 2003, when the Golden Gophers won 4-0 over Minnesota State.
"Having two strong goaltenders over the past two years has definitely been an advantage for us," Halldorson said. "Both Jody and Brenda have contributed a lot to our program on the ice. Last season, Jody played more games because Brenda had nagging injuries and she had a great sophomore season. They'll compete against each other again this year for playing time, but it's a very positive situation because they do such a good job of pushing and supporting each other."
Defense
The Golden Gophers lost two of their best defenseman in recent history in two-time All-American Ronda Curtin and Winny Brodt. However, Minnesota has a strong corps of returning blueliners and recruited two of the top defensive players in the nation. At the blue line, the Gophers return Ashley Albrecht, Chelsey Brodt, Krista Johnson and Allie Sanchez.
Albrecht, from South St. Paul, Minn., returns to the lineup after a successful summer at the USA Hockey Festival. In her second appearance with the nation's best, Albrecht scored a goal and an assist as a member of the Red Team. In her freshman season, Albrecht played in 32 games and scored a goal and six assists for the Golden Gophers. Brodt also tallied seven points in her debut season with the Gophers. Although the Roseville native played primarily on defense, she also played four weeks as a forward last year, scoring her first career goal in the 4-2 win over Minnesota-Duluth on Feb. 15. Krista Johnson and Allie Sanchez will also return to the blue line for the Gophers. Sanchez played in every game and scored 12 points for Minnesota. Sanchez may also take on responsibilities as a forward in games. Johnson tallied three points and was named the team's Most Improved Player by the end of the 2002-03 season.
Minnesota will also look to freshman defenders Danielle Ashley and Lyndsay Wall to step into the Gopher lineup immediately. Last year, Ashley and Wall were considered among the top defensive recruits and expectations are running high that the duo will be able to contribute early. Ashley, a Burlington, Ont., native, was a member of the Beatrice Senior Aeros, scoring 14 points in the 2001-02 season. Ashley was also a member of Team Ontario at the 2003 Canada Winter Games. Wall, hailing from Churchville, N.Y., was the youngest member of the 2002 U.S. Olympic Team. She played all five games for Team USA, helping win a silver medal. Wall joined teammates Darwitz, Horak and Stephens on the 2003 Under-22 Team, her third appearance in three years.
"Losing seniors Ronda Curtin and Winny Brodt has left a hole in our returning defensive corps," Halldorson said. "However, I feel confident that our two incoming defenders will both contribute right away and will help fill that void. Lyndsay and Danielle both possess size, toughness, and skill. They compliment our talented returning defenders in Ashley, Chelsey, Allie, and Krista. Although we will be young on the blue line, I'm confident that we have the personnel to get the job done this season."
Forwards
The Golden Gophers welcome back 70 percent of their point production from 2002-03, including 62 percent coming from the forwards. Minnesota returns nine forwards, all of which totalled 231 of the team's 370 points last year. As a freshman last season, Natalie Darwitz led Minnesota in total points, racking up 68 points. In 33 games played, Darwitz ranks third in school history for most points in a season with 68. She ranked third in WCHA scoring and sixth in the nation. The Eagan, Minn., native gained national recognition when she was named a Top 10 Patty Kazmaier finalist and earned first-team All-America honors. Darwitz, the 2003 WCHA Rookie of the Year, was also a first-team All-WCHA selection and was named to the WCHA All-Rookie Team. She also was named the WCHA Rookie of the Week six times last year, the most by any other Minnesota freshman in school history. Darwitz went on to compete at the USA Hockey Festival as a member of the Under-22 Team. While competing against Team Canada, Darwitz led the Red, White and Blue with four points, including a game-winning goal.
Krissy Wendell tallied 55 points in her first year as a Gopher, playing in only 25 of 36 games. Wendell missed eight games due to a fractured collarbone, but remained the second-leading scorer. She led the team in shooting percentage (.209) and game-winning goals (six). Although missing 11 regular season games, Wendell still earned WCHA and national honors as a member of the Maroon and Gold. She and teammate Darwitz were named to the Patty Kazmaier Top 10 list, an award given to the top women's hockey player in the nation. The duo were the only two freshman in the mix. Wendell, from Brooklyn Park, Minn., gained second-team All-America honors, second-team All-WCHA honors and was a member of the WCHA All-Rookie Team. She was also named the WCHA Rookie of the Week four times last season, the second-most by any Golden Gopher.
"There's no question that Krissy and Natalie stood out as freshmen. I expect their sophomore seasons to be even better because they now have a year of college under their belts. Other returning forwards include La Toya Clarke, Kelly Stephens, Kelsey Bills, Jerilyn Glenn, Melissa Coulombe, Noelle Sutton, and Stacy Troumbly. By adding freshmen Andrea Nichols, Becky Wacker, and Maggie Souba, we feel that we have great depth up front."
Stephens returns for her third season with the Gophers. A junior from Shoreline, Wash., Stephens ranked fifth on the team in scoring with 34 points. As a sophomore, Stephens scored 19 goals, ranking her third on the team. Stephens tied for the team lead with eight power-play goals and scored two short-handed goals. In her two-year tenure, Stephens has notched 42 goals and 36 assists for 78 points. She also established herself as one of the nation's best women's hockey players, representing USA Hockey. Stephens missed two games when she was on Team USA's roster last November competing in the Four Nations Cup. Stephens will again represent Team USA this November as a member of the U.S. Select Team when she competes at the Four Nations Cup with Gopher teammates Darwitz, Wall and Wendell. She also played at the USA Hockey Festival and was a member of the Under-22 Team that competed against Canada.
Also returning for their senior seasons are co-captains La Toya Clarke and Kelsey Bills. Clarke was seventh on the team in scoring with 23 points. She was named the WCHA Offensive Player of the Week after scoring the game-tying, short-handed goal for the Gophers in a 2-2 tie against Bemidji State, Nov. 9. However, the triumph wouldn't last long after she injured her ankle in that very same game. The injury sidelined her for only one game, however, it limited Clarke's playing ability the remainder of the first semester. Clarke, a Pickering, Ont., native, turned it on in the second half of the season, but Canada's Under-22 Team was calling her this time. She missed three games to compete in Germany at the European Air Canada Cup. Clarke returned to the Minnesota lineup and scored six points, three of which came in the WCHA Final Five. She was named to the all-tournament team when she scored two goals and an assist in the semifinal and championship games. At the end of the season, Clarke received the team's Unsung Hero Award for her determination and hard work last year.
Bills scored nine points for Minnesota last sesaon, the most single-season point contribution of her three-year tenure. Bills, an alternate captain last season, established many firsts in her junior year. The 2002-03 season marked the first time Bills scored power-play, short-handed and game-winning goals. Her game-winner was her most significant when she scored against Minnesota-Duluth for a 4-2 win, Feb. 15, after a 7-1 loss the night before.
"I feel good about this year's leadership," Halldorson said. "We have a great senior class and two dedicated captains. Melissa and Jerilyn will both be strong senior leaders and La Toya and Kelsey will represent us very well as team captains. I know that these young women want to end their careers on a high note, so they're very focused, motivated, and excited. Kelsey and La Toya will do a great job of leading by example, both on and off the ice, and by speaking up when necessary. I expect them to lead their teammates and communicate with the coaching staff in very positive ways."
Coulombe returns for her fourth and final year for the Gophers after a successful junior campaign. Coulombe was asked to switch positions midway through the season, from a defenseman to a forward. The move paid off when she scored the most single-season points in her Golden Gopher career with 17. Hailing from St. Pierre-Jolys, Man., Coulombe also had the team's best plus/minus rating with +35 and earned the team's Best Plus/Minus Award last season.
Glenn is also returning for her final season with the Gophers. In her junior year, the Ham Lake, Minn., native scored two goals and four assists for six points. One of Glenn's goals of the 2002-03 season will be a Gopher women's hockey trivia fact for years to come. Glenn netted the first-ever goal in the Ridder Arena during the grand opening on Oct. 19, 2002 against St. Cloud State.
Sutton ranked eighth on the team in scoring with 18 points on the season. Hailing from Maple Grove, Minn., Sutton improved on her freshman year total of 11 points, notching seven goals and 11 assists for 18 points. She had a plus/minus rating of +8 and had two game-winning goals. Troumbly, who switched from a defenseman to a forward midway through last season will also return for her third season.
With an already talented returning corps, Minnesota adds freshmen sensations Andrea Nichols, Maggie Souba and Becky Wacker. Nichols, a Mt. Iron, Minn., native, was last year's recipient of the Let's Play Hockey Ms. Hockey Award, which is given to the top senior girls hockey player in the state of Minnesota. She led the state of Minnesota in scoring the past three years as a member of the Hibbing/Chisholm girls team, notching 457 points. Nichols is no stranger to national competition, competing two years at the USA Hockey Festival, as one of the youngest members in attendance. Souba, a Moorhead, Minn., native, was a top-five candidate for the Ms. Hockey award last year. She led the Moorhead High School Spuds to a 21-4-1 record during the 2002-03 season, scoring 46 points. Souba also participated in the 2000 and 2001 USA Hockey Developmental Camps. Wacker, from York, Maine, scored the power-play, game-winning goal to help Assabet Valley win the 2003 Under-19 USA Hockey Women's National Championship. Along with playing for Assabet, Wacker played for the York boys team. Wacker was selected the team's captain her junior and senior years at York and was named the most valuable player.
