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Photo by: Kelly Hagenson
Three Gophers Notch WCHA Preseason Honors, Team Ranks No. 3 in Preseason Poll
9/16/2024 2:04:00 PM | Women's Hockey
MINNEAPOLIS - The University of Minnesota women's hockey team ranked third in the WCHA preseason coaches' poll, the conference announced Monday. Redshirt senior Abbey Murphy and junior Nelli Laitinen were each named to the Preseason All-WCHA team. Freshman Chloe Primerano was selected as the WCHA Preseason Rookie of the Year.
Murphy received a Preseason All-WCHA Team nod at the beginning of the 2023-24 season and had previously been named the conference's Preseason Rookie of the Year leading up to the 2020-21 season. The Evergreen Park, Ill. native led the nation in goals last year (33) and ranked third in points (62). She finished as a Top 10 Finalist for the Patty Kazmaier Award, and earned All-WCHA Second Team and All-USCHO Third Team honors.
Laitinen is coming off a 23-point (6g-17a) season, during which she was named WCHA Defender of the Week on Oct. 30. The Lohja, Finland native had previously been named to both the All-WCHA All-Rookie and USCHO Rookie teams for the 2022-23 season.
Primerano is coming off an appearance in Canada's National Women's Team September Camp. The North Vancouver, B.C. native previously attended RINK Hockey Academy in Kelowna, B.C., was selected as 2024 IIHF Women's U18 Worlds MVP, Best Defenseman, and All-Star Team member. She was also the first female skater ever drafted by a Western Hockey League club, selected in the 13th round by the Vancouver Giants in the 2022 draft.
Murphy also received two votes for WCHA Preseason Player of the Year. Primerano and Gopher fifth-year forward Natalie Mlynkova both received votes for the Preseason All-WCHA Team.
In the coaches' poll, Minnesota received 40 points in the poll, with one vote for first place. The Gophers polled behind Wisconsin (46 points) and Ohio State (43 points), who ranked first and second, respectively.
Murphy received a Preseason All-WCHA Team nod at the beginning of the 2023-24 season and had previously been named the conference's Preseason Rookie of the Year leading up to the 2020-21 season. The Evergreen Park, Ill. native led the nation in goals last year (33) and ranked third in points (62). She finished as a Top 10 Finalist for the Patty Kazmaier Award, and earned All-WCHA Second Team and All-USCHO Third Team honors.
Laitinen is coming off a 23-point (6g-17a) season, during which she was named WCHA Defender of the Week on Oct. 30. The Lohja, Finland native had previously been named to both the All-WCHA All-Rookie and USCHO Rookie teams for the 2022-23 season.
Primerano is coming off an appearance in Canada's National Women's Team September Camp. The North Vancouver, B.C. native previously attended RINK Hockey Academy in Kelowna, B.C., was selected as 2024 IIHF Women's U18 Worlds MVP, Best Defenseman, and All-Star Team member. She was also the first female skater ever drafted by a Western Hockey League club, selected in the 13th round by the Vancouver Giants in the 2022 draft.
Murphy also received two votes for WCHA Preseason Player of the Year. Primerano and Gopher fifth-year forward Natalie Mlynkova both received votes for the Preseason All-WCHA Team.
In the coaches' poll, Minnesota received 40 points in the poll, with one vote for first place. The Gophers polled behind Wisconsin (46 points) and Ohio State (43 points), who ranked first and second, respectively.
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