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Eight Seniors Return for 2022-23
4/29/2022 1:44:00 PM | Women's Hockey
Minnesota's 2022-23 roster will see seven seniors return from 2021-22 and Grace Zumwinkle, who took a redshirt to represent the United States at the 2022 Winter Olympics.
MINNEAPOLIS – The Golden Gopher women's hockey program welcomes back eight seniors for the 2022-23 season as each has accepted the additional season of eligibility granted by the NCAA due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Abigail Boreen, Taylor Heise, Crystalyn Hengler, Savannah Norcross, Emily Oden, Gracie Ostertag, Catie Skaja, and Grace Zumwinkle will all return for one final season in Maroon and Gold.
"We are thrilled to have these players coming back to our team for their final year of eligibility," head coach Brad Frost said. "Each of them have tremendous experience and have played a significant role in our culture and program."
Heise, who served as an assistant captain last season, became the third Patty Kazmaier winner in program history after an incredible 66 point season (29g-37a). The Lake City, Minn., native was named WCHA Player of the Year, WCHA Offensive Player of the Year, First Team All-American, First Team All-WCHA, and First Team All-USCHO. She was also named to the WCHA All-Academic team for the third time in her career. Her three WCHA Forward of the Month and two HCA National Player of the Month honors were both most by any WCHA Forward. The nation's leading scorer led the Gophers in points, goals, assists, shots, game-winning goals, and short-handed goals in 2021-22. She currently sits at 160 points and 67 goals for her career – both rank just outside the top ten in program history. Heise has an opportunity to become the first player in college women's hockey history to win the Patty Kazmaier award in back-to-back seasons.
Zumwinkle returns to the 'U' after redshirting during the 2021-22 season to represent the United States at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, China. In 2020-21, Zumwinkle tallied 24 points (17g-7a) in 20 games and was a top-three finalist for the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award while serving as a team captain. Her accolades that season include being named to the All-WCHA First Team, AHCA All-America Second Team, and All-USCHO Second Team. The Excelsior, Minn., native was also named a WCHA Scholar-Athlete, WCHA All-Academic Team member, and an Academic All-Big Ten honoree. She became the 14th different Gopher to become Big Ten Sportsmanship Award recipient. Zumwinkle's 148 career points rank 10th in program history. Grace's final season with the Gophers will be alongside sister Emily, who was named to the WCHA All-Rookie Team as the conference's plus/minus rating leader among freshmen. Fellow Olympian Abbey Murphy will also return to the Gophers as a redshirt sophomore following her Olympic debut with Team USA.
Boreen returns to the Gophers after having a breakout senior season. The Somerset, Wis., had combined for 30 points (14g-16a) through her first three seasons before exploding for 59 points (25g-34a) – good for third-most in the nation. Boreen was rewarded for the career year with a spot on the WCHA All-Second Team and WCHA All-Tournament Team. The first-line staple earned the first two WCHA Forward of the Week honors of her career and was named to the WCHA All-Academic Team for the second time. Boreen is the closest active Gopher to the 100 career point milestone with 89.
Ostertag, who also served as an assistant captain last season, provides a veteran boost to the Minnesota blue line. After two seasons cut short by injury, the Shakopee, Minn., native looks to build on a career-best four goal, seven point season through 14 games. She was named a WCHA All-Academic Team member and WCHA Scholar Athlete for the third time in her career.
Skaja is the third returner from Minnesota's vaunted first line in 2021-22. After combining for 15 goals and 33 points through her first three seasons, Skaja recorded 18 goals and 47 points in a breakout senior season. The New Prague, Minn., native posted the second-highest plus/minus rating on the Gophers with a plus-42. She was named a WCHA All-Academic Team member for the third time and WCHA Scholar Athlete for the second time in her career.
Oden returns to the Minnesota lineup after a senior season that saw her record a career-high 9 goals and 26 points. The Edina, Minn., native was a staple in the Maroon and Gold's top-six forwards and is the second closest active Gopher to 100 career point milestone with 88. She was named a WCHA All-Academic Team member for the third time and WCHA Scholar Athlete for the second time in her career.
Hengler is one of two Gopher defenders to return for their fifth-year seasons. The Eden Prairie, Minn., native tallied five goals and 17 points during her senior season – each a career high. A disciplined defender, Hengler only notched two minor penalties through 39 games last season. Through four seasons (131 games) at Minnesota, she has only amassed 11 minor penalties. She was named to the WCHA All-Academic Team for the second time in her career.
Norcross returns for a second season with Minnesota after transferring from Boston College prior to the 2021-22 season. In her first season as a Gopher, Norcross tallied 10 goals and a career-high 28 points. The Lynn, Mass., native notched two multi-goal games as a prominent member of Minnesota's third line. She was one of nine Gophers to appear in all 39 games last season.
Notable
- The returning group consisting of six forwards and two defenders combined for 100 goals and 150 assists last season.
- Each returning player posted a career-high in points in 2021-22 (does not include Zumwinkle)
- The last player in program history to return to the Gophers following Olympic participation was Kelly Pannek in 2018-19.
"We are thrilled to have these players coming back to our team for their final year of eligibility," head coach Brad Frost said. "Each of them have tremendous experience and have played a significant role in our culture and program."
Heise, who served as an assistant captain last season, became the third Patty Kazmaier winner in program history after an incredible 66 point season (29g-37a). The Lake City, Minn., native was named WCHA Player of the Year, WCHA Offensive Player of the Year, First Team All-American, First Team All-WCHA, and First Team All-USCHO. She was also named to the WCHA All-Academic team for the third time in her career. Her three WCHA Forward of the Month and two HCA National Player of the Month honors were both most by any WCHA Forward. The nation's leading scorer led the Gophers in points, goals, assists, shots, game-winning goals, and short-handed goals in 2021-22. She currently sits at 160 points and 67 goals for her career – both rank just outside the top ten in program history. Heise has an opportunity to become the first player in college women's hockey history to win the Patty Kazmaier award in back-to-back seasons.
Zumwinkle returns to the 'U' after redshirting during the 2021-22 season to represent the United States at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, China. In 2020-21, Zumwinkle tallied 24 points (17g-7a) in 20 games and was a top-three finalist for the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award while serving as a team captain. Her accolades that season include being named to the All-WCHA First Team, AHCA All-America Second Team, and All-USCHO Second Team. The Excelsior, Minn., native was also named a WCHA Scholar-Athlete, WCHA All-Academic Team member, and an Academic All-Big Ten honoree. She became the 14th different Gopher to become Big Ten Sportsmanship Award recipient. Zumwinkle's 148 career points rank 10th in program history. Grace's final season with the Gophers will be alongside sister Emily, who was named to the WCHA All-Rookie Team as the conference's plus/minus rating leader among freshmen. Fellow Olympian Abbey Murphy will also return to the Gophers as a redshirt sophomore following her Olympic debut with Team USA.
Boreen returns to the Gophers after having a breakout senior season. The Somerset, Wis., had combined for 30 points (14g-16a) through her first three seasons before exploding for 59 points (25g-34a) – good for third-most in the nation. Boreen was rewarded for the career year with a spot on the WCHA All-Second Team and WCHA All-Tournament Team. The first-line staple earned the first two WCHA Forward of the Week honors of her career and was named to the WCHA All-Academic Team for the second time. Boreen is the closest active Gopher to the 100 career point milestone with 89.
Ostertag, who also served as an assistant captain last season, provides a veteran boost to the Minnesota blue line. After two seasons cut short by injury, the Shakopee, Minn., native looks to build on a career-best four goal, seven point season through 14 games. She was named a WCHA All-Academic Team member and WCHA Scholar Athlete for the third time in her career.
Skaja is the third returner from Minnesota's vaunted first line in 2021-22. After combining for 15 goals and 33 points through her first three seasons, Skaja recorded 18 goals and 47 points in a breakout senior season. The New Prague, Minn., native posted the second-highest plus/minus rating on the Gophers with a plus-42. She was named a WCHA All-Academic Team member for the third time and WCHA Scholar Athlete for the second time in her career.
Oden returns to the Minnesota lineup after a senior season that saw her record a career-high 9 goals and 26 points. The Edina, Minn., native was a staple in the Maroon and Gold's top-six forwards and is the second closest active Gopher to 100 career point milestone with 88. She was named a WCHA All-Academic Team member for the third time and WCHA Scholar Athlete for the second time in her career.
Hengler is one of two Gopher defenders to return for their fifth-year seasons. The Eden Prairie, Minn., native tallied five goals and 17 points during her senior season – each a career high. A disciplined defender, Hengler only notched two minor penalties through 39 games last season. Through four seasons (131 games) at Minnesota, she has only amassed 11 minor penalties. She was named to the WCHA All-Academic Team for the second time in her career.
Norcross returns for a second season with Minnesota after transferring from Boston College prior to the 2021-22 season. In her first season as a Gopher, Norcross tallied 10 goals and a career-high 28 points. The Lynn, Mass., native notched two multi-goal games as a prominent member of Minnesota's third line. She was one of nine Gophers to appear in all 39 games last season.
Notable
- The returning group consisting of six forwards and two defenders combined for 100 goals and 150 assists last season.
- Each returning player posted a career-high in points in 2021-22 (does not include Zumwinkle)
- The last player in program history to return to the Gophers following Olympic participation was Kelly Pannek in 2018-19.
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