University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Sign Six for 2018-19
11/19/2017 12:00:00 AM | Women's Hockey
MINNEAPOLIS - The University of Minnesota women's hockey program and head coach Brad Frost are pleased to announce the addition of six student-athletes for the 2018-19 season. Abby Boreen, Taylor Heise, Crystalyn Hengler, Emily Oden, Gracie Ostertag, and Catie Skaja make up the newest class of Golden Gophers.
"We are absolutely thrilled to welcome these six incredibly skilled players and people to our Gopher women's hockey program," head coach Brad Frost said. "They have made their mark on Minnesota hockey as well as Team USA at the U-18 level. We are excited that they have chosen the University of Minnesota to further their academics and athletics careers."
Abigail Boreen, Somerset, Wis. (Hill-Murray School)
A right-handed forward, Abigail Boreen joins the Gophers from Hill-Murray School. She enters her senior year with the Pioneers as a three-time all-conference honoree, and she was the East Metro Player of the Year last season. Boreen helped Hill-Murray to a state title as a freshman, and she has been part of semifinalist teams at the Minnesota Class AA State Tournament each of the last two seasons, placing third as a sophomore and fourth as a junior. Her USA Hockey experience includes participating in USA Hockey's 2016 Women's National Festival and attending the 2016 and 2017 Girls Select U18 Player Development Camps. Boreen's father Chad also played hockey for the Gophers in 1987-1988. The daughter of Chad and Alicia Boreen, she is interested in studying biomedical engineering.
Frost on Boreen: Abby is a strong forward that can play a physical game, but she also has very good hands around the net. Abby is a hard worker and plays the game with a high level of passion.
Boreen on Why Minnesota: Being a Gopher has been a dream of mine since I was a little girl. I've always wanted to be a part of the University of Minnesota community. It has an amazing athletic program and provides a great education. I can't wait to be a part of the Gopher women's hockey team!
Taylor Heise, Lake City, Minn. (Red Wing High School)
Taylor Heise is a right-handed forward joining the Gophers from Red Wing High School. Entering her senior season for the Wingers, Heise is already a five-time letterwinner, three-time all-conference, and two-time all-state honoree along with being a three-time selection to the USA Today High School Sports American Family Insurance ALL-USA girls' hockey team. She was part of three-straight third-place Minnesota Class A State Tournament teams and has helped Red Wing to five conference titles. As a member of the U.S. Women's National Under-18 Team, Heise is a two-time gold medalist at the IIHF Under-18 Women's World Championship in 2016 and 2017. She is also a two-time member of the U.S. Women's Under-18 Select Team for the Under-18 Series with Canada in 2015 and 2016. Heise has also attended multiple national festivals and development camps. The daughter of Tony and Amy Heise, she plans to study kinesiology with a minor in sports management at the University of Minnesota.
Frost on Heise: Taylor has incredible speed and a motor that seems to last forever. She makes others around her better with her communication, vision, and execution. Taylor has a great shot and a knack for putting the puck in the net.
Heise on Why Minnesota: I chose the University of Minnesota because of the passion that the team has for the game of hockey as well as the great education I will get.
Crystalyn Hengler, Eden Prairie, Minn. (Eden Prairie High School)
A right-handed defense from Eden Prairie High School, Crystalyn Hengler begins her senior season as a two-time all-conference and all-section honoree. Hengler was named all-state as a sophomore after helping Eden Prairie to a Minnesota Class AA State Tournament title in 2016. Hengler won gold with the U.S. Women's National Under-18 Team at the 2016 IIHF Under-18 Women's World Championship along with attending USA Hockey development camps. The daughter of Julianne Hengler, she intends to study sports medicine at the University of Minnesota.
Frost on Hengler: Crystalyn is a defenseman who has offensive ability that is fun to watch. She sees the ice well and has the strength to make a great first pass. Crystalyn has a heavy shot and a tremendous release.
Hengler on Why Minnesota: Not only is the University of Minnesota a great academic school but also has a great women's hockey program. I felt welcomed as soon as I met the players on my unofficial visit and felt like one of them already - and, of course the coaching staff, I feel respected by each one of them and trust them to help me become the best player, teammate, student, and person I can be.
Emily Oden, Edina, Minn. (Edina High School)
A right-handed forward, Emily Oden joins the Gophers from Edina High School. Oden begins her senior season with the Hornets as a three-time all-conference, two-time all-state, and one-time all-metro honoree. Last season, Oden helped Edina to a Minnesota Class AA State Tournament championship, along with a Lake Conference title, after earning being part of state semifinalist teams as a sophomore and freshman. As a member of the U.S. Women's National Under-18 Team, Oden has participated in two IIHF Under-18 Women's World Championships, earning gold in both 2016 and 2017. She is also a two-time member of the U.S. Women's Under-18 Select Team for the Under-18 Series with Canada in 2015 and 2016 and has attended multiple national festivals and development camps. The daughter of Andrea and Tom Oden, she intends to study business at the University of Minnesota.
Frost on Oden: Emily has good size and speed. She is a power forward that generates offense by getting to the net. Emily is willing to pay the price defensively to get her team going in transition.
Oden on Why Minnesota: Growing up it was my dream to play for the Gophers, and I loved everything it had to offer. The staff is wonderful, the team is very welcoming, and it's a Big Ten school.
Gracie Ostertag, Shakopee, Minn. (Shattuck St. Mary's School)
A right-handed defense from Shakopee, Minn., Gracie Ostertag joins the Gophers from Shattuck-St. Mary's School. Ostertag has helped Shattuck to three-straight national titles, most recently winning the U-19 national championship as a junior with a team record of 51-8-5. She also won back-to-back U-16 national titles as a freshman and sophomore. As a member of the U.S. Women's National Under-18 Team, Ostertag has won two gold medals at the IIHF Under-18 Women's World Championship in 2016 and 2017. She is also a two-time member of the U.S. Women's Under-18 Select Team for the Under-18 Series with Canada in 2015 and 2016 and has attended multiple national festivals and development camps. Ostertag is the daughter of Chris and Kathy Ostertag.
Frost on Ostertag: Gracie is a strong defenseman that takes care of her own end first. She blocks shots, plays physical, and continually makes the simple play. Gracie is dependable defensively but can also contribute on the offensive end.
Ostertag on Why Minnesota: I chose the University of Minnesota because I love how close it is to home. I also admire the coaching staff and know they will push me to reach my full potential. I also believe that nothing will be better than wearing the 'M' on my jersey to represent my home state.
Catie Skaja, New Prague, Minn. (New Prague Senior High School)
Catie Skaja joins the Gophers as a right-handed forward out of New Prague High School. She enters her senior season as a five-time hockey letter-winner for the Trojans. Skaja is also a four-year track & field letterwinner for New Prague. On the ice, she is a five-time all-conference and four-time all-state honoree and won the Minnesota Class A State Consolation Championship as a sophomore. As a member of the U.S. Women's National Under-18 Team, Skaja has won two gold medals at the IIHF Under-18 Women's World Championship in 2016 and 2017. She is also a two-time member of the U.S. Women's Under-18 Select Team for the Under-18 Series with Canada in 2015 and 2016 and has attended multiple national festivals and development camps. The daughter of Tracy and Mike Skaja, she intends to major in kinesiology at the University of Minnesota.
Frost on Skaja: Catie is a speedy forward with a very good hockey IQ. She creates plays through relentless pressure on the puck, providing opportunities for herself and her teammates.
Skaja on Why Minnesota: I have always wanted to play for the Gophers since I was eight-years-old and visited Ridder for the first time.
