University of Minnesota Athletics
Players Mentioned
The ‘U’ Adds Six to 2025-26 Freshman Class
11/14/2024 1:25:00 PM | Women's Hockey
MINNEAPOLIS - Head coach Brad Frost and the University of Minnesota women's hockey program are excited to announce the addition of six incoming freshman student-athletes to the 2025-26 signing class.
"We are once again thrilled with the six players who have chosen to become Gophers," said Frost. "They each bring something a little different to the table which will continue to help our program be better. While all very skilled, they are incredible people who will add to our culture of excellence here with Gopher Women's Hockey."
Sydney Bailey | Defense | Rogers, Minn. | Rogers High School
A right-handed defender, Bailey joins the Gophers from Rogers High School. She tallied 50 points (12g-38a) in her first three seasons with the Royals, earning All-Conference honors as a sophomore and junior. Bailey has seen athletic success on the ice, the golf course, and the diamond. She won a state softball title with the Royals in 2024, playing right field and second base.
Frost on Bailey: "Syd is a great athlete who recently won a Minnesota State Championship in Softball. On the ice she is a very smart, steady D who prides herself on being consistent in making the simple plays very well. She has a great overall skill set that will really add depth to our defensemen group next season."
Sienna D'Alessandro | Forward | Pointe-Claire, Quebec | John Abbott College
A left-handed forward, D'Alessandro joins the Gophers from John Abbett College and Team Canada's Women's U18 Team. In her first year with the Islanders, she tallied 56 points (25g-31a) in 25 games, earning RSEQ Rookie of the Year, Player of the Year, and 1st All-Star Team honors in 2024. With Team Canada's Women's U18 squad, D'Alessandro won a bronze medal in 2024 and earned the team's Best Player Award.
Frost on D'Alessandro: "Sienna is a strong power forward who loves to go to the net. Her game is tailored for the college level. She has great instincts, protects the puck and has a great release. Sienna has played on the Canadian U18 team and will no doubt transition seamlessly to our group."
Bella Fanale | Forward | Webster, N.Y. | Bishop Kearney High School
A right-handed forward, Fanale joins the Gophers from Bishop Kearney High School and the U.S. U18 Women's National Team. She took home a NYSHA State Championship with both the Bishop Kearney Selects' 16U and 19U teams, and earned silver with the 19U squad at the 2024 USA Hockey National Championships. In three seasons with Team USA, Fanale has earned gold and bronze medals in the Women's World U18 National Championships.
Frost on Fanale: "Bella is a hard-nose, 200 foot-player. She is very responsible in all aspects of the game and refuses to be outworked. Bella has played on the United States U18 team the last couple of years and continues to lead well."
Layla Hemp | Goaltender | Chanhassen, Minn. | Minnetonka High School
A left-handed goaltender, Hemp joins the Gophers from Minnetonka High School and the U.S. U18 Women's National Team. She earned All-Conference honors for the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons, and All-State and All-Metro Third Team honors in 2023-24. In two seasons with the U.S. U18 Women's National Team, Hemp earned gold and bronze medals in the Women's World U18 National Championships. She is the sister of Gopher captain Peyton Hemp and former Gopher defender Josie Hemp.
Frost on Hemp: "Layla comes from a very talented hockey family. As a goaltender, she is extremely quick and athletic. She challenges shooters well and is explosive laterally. Layla has great experience with the United States U18 team and we are excited to have her as a Gopher."
Avery Hovland | Forward | West Fargo, N.D. | North American Hockey Academy
A left-handed forward, Hovland joins the Gophers from North American Hockey Academy. She tallied 60 points (38g-20a) in her first 73 games at NAHA, with both the Red U16 and White 19U AAA squads. Hovland also played with Team North Dakota from 2020-2023 and won a state title with the West Fargo Stampede. As a multi-sport athlete, she earned an All-Conference honor for her play on the West Fargo High School Girls' Golf team in 2024.
Frost on Hovland: "Avery is a relentless forward who has great quickness. She is extremely hard on pucks, goes to the net hard and competes in all three zones. Avery brings a real blue collar approach to the game which we are excited to have in our group of forwards next year."
Tereza Plosova | Forward | Šimonovice, Czechia | Djurgårdens IF
A left-handed forward, Plosova joins the Gophers after playing with Czechia's national team and Djurgårdens IF in Sweden. She won a bronze medal at the 2023 IIHF Women's World Championships with Team Czechia, as well as a silver medal at the 2024 World Women's U18 Championship. Plosova was named MVP at the 2022 World Women's U18 Championship. In her first season with Djurgårdens IF of the Swedish Women's Hockey League (SWHL), she tallied 23 points (8g-15a) in 33 games.
Frost on Plosova: "Tereza is a taller forward with incredible top speed. Her stride is effortless and she will put a ton of pressure on opposing D. Tereza has an immense amount of international experience with Team Czechia which will help her transition to the collegiate game."