Class of ‘27
The class of ‘27 locally, I think, has some solid talent, but eyes nationally don’t seem as impressed. Only one class of ‘27 Minnesotan (Apple Valley goaltender Finley Engfer) made the last U.S. team for the World U18 Championships. As a returner from that team, Ms. Engfer moves straight to the Select 18 National Festival. Other players will have to go through the National 16/17 Camp for the chance to move on to the Festival. Here are the Minnesota ‘27s going to the 16/17 camp:
G Vivienne Anderson (Orono)
G Ilamay Draheim (South Central*)
G Kaia Weiland (Centennial)
D Fiona Gallagher (Maple Grove)
D Addy McLay (Hill-Murray)
D Libby Moe (Edina)
D Lauryn Murray (Eagan)
D Noelle Noble (Wayzata)
D Maisy Tomlinson (Maple Grove)
D Josie Virnig (Benilde)
F Hadley Bakker (Maple Grove)
F Jaycee Chatleain (Hill-Murray)
F Audrey Davis (Edina)
F Talla Hanson (Benilde)
F Sarah Johnson (Mounds View)
F Grace Laager (Centennial)
F Jayden Miller (Elk River)
F Emily Pohl (Hill-Murray)
F Bailey Rupp (Bemidji)
F June Semling (Champlin Park/Coon Rapids)
F Kayla Starr (Edina)
F Harper Wieneke (Maple Grove)
I think the forward group here is quite strong. Defense not quite as strong as a group. Goalies I’m not as sure about at this point. Who are the most likely to be future Gophers? I think Emily Pohl is certainly the strongest possibility.
*South Central is made up of Waseca High School, New Richland-H-E-G H.S. , Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton High School , Waterville-Elysian-Morristown H.S. , Faribault High School , Randolph High School , Medford High School , Bethlehem Academy
2027-28 will be Clark's senior year and Hemp the Younger's junior year. I'm not sure if they'll grab a goalie in this class (although they will eventually need a practice goalie for 2026-27 with Johnson graduating).
It would be nice to grab Engfer though, local product with national team experience and the ideal size at 5'11".
2027-28 will be Clark's senior year and Hemp the Younger's junior year. I'm not sure if they'll grab a goalie in this class (although they will eventually need a practice goalie for 2026-27 with Johnson graduating).
It would be nice to grab Engfer though, local product with national team experience and the ideal size at 5'11".
Finley Engfer is headed to Providence.
First commitment of the new cycle: Sydney Stoughton, a forward from the Cincinnati area now playing at Lovell Academy in metro Boston. Made the US U18 team last year as a double underager.
Go Whalers.
A little more on Sydney Stoughton. At the time of January’s World U18 Tournament she was listed at 5’9”/160 on the U.S. site. She’s a left-handed shot. In 50 games last season for the Lovell Academy U16 team she put up a 31-27-58 line.
Here’s a little from an ARTICLE I had posted last January:
“Stoughton is a high-scoring forward from Mason, Ohio. Lonergan said Stoughton — whose grandfather played in the NHL — already possessed a “very elite shot” when she arrived as an eighth grader. Stoughton scored 50 goals in her first season. Additionally, she is very protective when possessing the puck and has been a captain during her time at Lovell.
At that age, when you have a shot like that and then the size and the body type for a national team, we knew that she was someone that if she worked on her skating, that she could be there immediately,” Lonergan said. “She completely changed her stride and her explosiveness and how she skated when she got to Lovell. That was kind of the big piece that she was hoping to work on when she got here and that's been the piece that got her to the national team.”
For the casual follower of women’s recruiting this is a short, introductory read on the top Canadian (and increasingly other) supplier of talent. Gopher goaltender Hannah Clark played in this league, as do future Gophers Maddie McCullough and Rachel Piggott. Seems fairly likely that one or two players from this recruiting cycle may come from there also.
“The Junior Hockey League Every PWHL Fan Should Start Following, Now”
@iceburg If Emily Pohl doesn't end up a Gopher we need to revoke Johnny and Krissy's alumni association membership. 😉
The list of 2027 recruits that the official Gopher account follows (besides Stoughton) is:
F's Talla Hansen (Benilde), Emily Pohl (Hill-Murray), Annabelle Lovell (Lovell Academy), and Adrianna Milani (Etobicoke)
D's Maggie Averill (Phillips Academy [MA]), Avery Jones (Nepean), Aurora Matt (Durham West), and Megan Mossey (Etobicoke)
We're not getting all of them, but we'll see how many end up committing.
I was recently informed by a GPLer that I'm related to Airey
Warroad by way of Minot, ND. 5'8". Rising senior. Youth Hockey Hub's goalie of the year (which King and Johnson have also won). With Johnson set to graduate, I imagine she'll be the third goalie behind Clark and Hemp.
A little background information from her page on a recruiting site:
Hello, my name is Payton Rolli and started playing hockey at age 4. I started playing the goaltender position at age 8. I grew up in Minot, ND and played boys hockey up thru Bantams. My last three years in youth hockey I played PeeWee A, Peewee AA, and Bantam AA. In continuing my development, my family moved to Warroad in June 2023. Last year, I was the starting goalie for Warroad girls high school team and won a state championship! I enjoy school with taking advanced level courses, and plan to start taking college level courses my junior year. I also play other sports during the school year including golf and volleyball. My goal is to continue playing hockey in college.
Time to update things:
2026
D Sloane Hartmetz (Shattuck) From Phoenixville, Pennsylvania
F Maddie McCullough (Durham West) From Newmarket, Ontario
F Rachel Piggott (Etobicoke) From Richmond Hill, Ontario
G Payton Rolli (Warroad)
D Katya Sander (Holy Family)
2027
F Sydney Stoughton (Lovell Academy) From Mason, Ohio
Warroad by way of Minot, ND. 5'8". Rising senior. Youth Hockey Hub's goalie of the year (which King and Johnson have also won). With Johnson set to graduate, I imagine she'll be the third goalie behind Clark and Hemp.
https://www.youthhockeyhub.com/news_article/show/1336327
The “USA Hockey” 16/17 national camp starts on Saturday. You can follow game results HERE. With the two birth years combined we range from class of ‘26 players that have already committed to class of ‘28 players that won’t be committing until next year. A lot of player information in the PROGRAM & SCOUT BOOK (scroll down to page 18). Players of interest include 
class of ‘26 commit Katya Sander (Orange Team) and probable ‘27 targets Emily Pohl (Purple Team) and Talla Hansen (Red Team). One thing I found interesting was Katya Sander lists her 2025-2026 team as “undecided”.
Also at the U19 camp for incoming college players: Avery Hovland is participating but Bella Fanale and Layla Hemp are not. I wonder if this means they'll be at the National Festival instead.
New recruit and it looks like it's for this year: Olivia Kortan, forward from Moorhead. 22-25-47 as a senior. Was initially slated to go to Concordia Moorhead.
Roster now sits at 14F-7D-3G.
New recruit and it looks like it's for this year: Olivia Kortan, forward from Moorhead. 22-25-47 as a senior. Was initially slated to go to Concordia Moorhead.
Roster now sits at 14F-7D-3G.
Probably kind of a fill out the roster move. Smaller player, I’ve seen her listed at 5’3” and 5’4”. Seen her play a bit, not an overwhelming talent, but a very good high school player.
Seems like a high character person. Was named the Class AA Herb Brooks Award winner.
……also in the same vein, a little more on Olivia in THIS ARTICLE.
Etobicoke has a solid recruiting year picking up class of ‘26 recruit Maddie McCullough (formerly Durham West) along with Eden Prairie native, wisconsin recruit, former Shattuck and Holy Family player Haley Box.
From “The Hockey News”: “Recruiting Class: Minnesota Adding Talent From All Directions”
A short “Hockey News” article on a likely target in this recruiting cycle. “Pressure Is Privilege: The Mindset Driving Megan Mossey’s Rise”.
I saw Megan play a game at Mariucci a couple of years ago when she was playing for the Rothesay Netherwood School during the annual trip to Ridder/Mariucci by the JWHL. She really stood out despite being maybe the youngest player on the ice and being on a somewhat under talented squad. Strong/smooth skater who has very strong puck skills.
With a quick once over, I’m counting 12 Minnesotans (including commit Katya Sander) in this morning’s all-star game that winds up the National 16/17 Camp. Possibly those moving on to the Select 18 Festival for a shot at making the U.S. team for next January’s World U18 Championship may be announced later today.
The National 15 Camp starts tomorrow. A select few from this camp will likely be selected for the 18 festival.
With a quick once over, I’m counting 12 Minnesotans (including
The National 15 Camp starts tomorrow. A select few from this camp will likely be selected for the 18 festival.
Here was that All-Star Game roster today:
Forwards
Sydney Boss Krohn, Shattuck-St. Mary's (not eligible to commit)
Lily Bromley, Noble & Greenough
Lia Cericola, Bishop Kearney Selects (Princeton '30)
Isabella Freitas, Cushing Academy (not eligible to commit)
Laini Gnetz, Woodbury (Minnesota Duluth '30)
Talla Hansen, Benilde-St. Margaret's
Brittyn Lybecker, Culver Academy
Catherine McCool, Noble & Greenough (not eligible to commit)
Jillian McLaughlin, RINK Hockey Academy Kelowna (Cornell '30)
Aubryn Monter, Lovell Academy (Penn State '31)
Zahra Nauhaus, Shattuck-St. Mary's (Cornell '30)
Emily Pohl, Hill-Murray
Laine Rettell, Chicago Mission (Holy Cross '30)
Bailey Rupp, Bemidji HS
Bria Schilling, Shattuck-St. Mary's
Brooke Schlutter, Williston Northampton
June Semling, Champlin Park
Lindsay Stepnowski, Loomis Chaffee (Harvard '30)
Defense
Faith Baratta, Lovell Academy (Clarkson '31)
Olivia Braunshausen, Hill-Murray (not eligible to commit)
Annabelle Buccicone, Centennial-Spring Lake Park (not eligible to commit)
Ava DeCourcey, Noble & Greenough
Kimee Duplessis, Phillips Academy
Kaylee Mandeville, North American Hockey Academy
Taylee Manion, Proctor/Hermantown (not eligible to commit)
Gigi Martin, Bishop Kearney Selects
Mirella Martinelli, Tabor Academy
Addison McLay, Hill-Murray
Mia Miller, Northfield (Minnesota State '30)
Nadiya Nadaud, Little Caesars
Katya Sander, Holy Family (Minnesota '30)
Josie Virnig, Shattuck-St. Mary's
Goalies
Bianca Birrittieri, Pittsburgh Penguins Elite (Providence '30)
Moira Landsverk, Frederick Gunn School
Mae Steigerwald, Gilmour Academy
Cecilia Wielenberg, Team Illinois
Looking through the SCOUT BOOK for the National 15 Camp that’s going on now. Won’t really know who the standouts for this age group are until we see who is chosen to move on to the Select 18 Festival. For the locals, I’ve seen enough of Centennial’s Amelia Sutch ‘28 to think she is the top in-state girl among this group until I’m proven wrong. Eastview forward Brielle Clardy ‘28 has put up big numbers in the Selects camps leading up to nationals. Haven’t seen a great deal of her, but enough to think her skating should rate up there with anyone she’s competing with. One other in-state girl that’s impressed me a lot in limited viewing is Breck defender Alexis Ulrich ‘28.
My viewing of out-of-state girls in this age group is pretty much nonexistent. A few girls I haven’t seen, but whose names seem to pop up enough to pique my curiosity are forward Brooke Lakowske (Black River Falls, WI/Madison Capitals) ‘28, defender Cassidy Cha (Northbrook, Il/Team Illinois) ‘28 and Jaiden Krushelniski (Mesa, AZ/LA Lions) ‘29. I thought Jaiden might be related to long time NHLer Mike Krushelnyski until research showed the spelling difference. Jaiden will be at Shattuck this coming season.
A few other players from the 15 Camp that will be coming to Minnesota to play this season include:
- G Quinn Taylor (Chicago Mission) ‘28 to Shattuck
- F Giuliana Golden (Little Caesars) ‘28 to Shattuck
- D Lydia Fylling (Bismarck 15u) ‘29 to Warroad H.S.
- F Margaret Gifford (LA Lions/Valencia, CA) ‘29 to Maple Grove H.S.
Girls from the 15 Camp with an tie:
- G Allie Callinan (Holy Family) ‘29 daughter of Gopher goalie Jeff
- F Alaina Lindsay (Minnetonka) ‘29 sister of Gopher forward Ava
- D Aleah La Fleur (Breck) ‘28 daughter of Gopher defenseman Brian
- F Anna Pohl (Hill-Murray) ‘29 daughter of Johnny and Krissy
- F Ellie Bailey (Rogers) ‘29 Not 100% sure, but likely the sister of incoming freshman defender Sydney Bailey
Rosters for the Women’s National Festival released. Several current, former and incoming players in the over-18 section. The u18 part, which this thread mostly deals with shows committed recruits Katya Sander ‘26, Sloane Hartmetz ‘26 and Sydney Stoughton ‘27. Hopefully a couple more from this list commit in the coming weeks. No players from the 15 camp (2010 birth years) listed yet. Likely a few will still be invited unless the U.S. takes the Canada route.
https://teamusa.usahockey.com/2025womensfestivalroster
The Festival will run from August 3-9 in Lake Placid then a u18 team will be chosen for the annual three game series against Canada. These games will also be in Lake Placid August 13, 14 and 16. Canada should announce their camp roster in the next few days.
The list of 2027 recruits that the official Gopher account follows (besides Stoughton) is:
F's Talla Hansen (Benilde), Emily Pohl (Hill-Murray), Annabelle Lovell (Lovell Academy), and Adrianna Milani (Etobicoke)
D's Maggie Averill (Phillips Academy [MA]), Avery Jones (Nepean), Aurora Matt (Durham West), and Megan Mossey (Etobicoke)
We're not getting all of them, but we'll see how many end up committing.
All the Americans on this list were named to the U.S. U18 Camp that will chose the American team for the three game series with Canada. Today Canada named their selection camp for the same process and all the Canadian girls on the above list will attend. Previous commits Rachel Piggott and Maddie McCullough will also attend.
https://www.hockeycanada.ca/en-ca/team-canada/women/under-18/2025-26/summer-showcase/roster
Rosters for the Women’s National Festival released. Several current, former and incoming
https://teamusa.usahockey.com/2025womensfestivalroster
The Festival will run from August 3-9 in Lake Placid then a u18 team will be chosen for the annual three game series against Canada. These games will also be in Lake Placid August 13, 14 and 16. Canada should announce their camp roster in the next few days.
Doesn't look like any 2010s are attending. The target for the roster is 46 and they took 46 from the 08 and 09 classes. Would be the first time in a long time with no double underagers, maybe ever. Don't know if that's trying to copy Canada or there just isn't anyone worth taking.
Doesn't look like any 2010s are attending. The target for the roster is 46 and they took 46 from the 08 and 09 classes. Would be the first time in a long time with no double underagers, maybe ever. Don't know if that's trying to copy Canada or there just isn't anyone worth taking.
It especially seems a little strange as we are coming off a year (2024) where there were 11 2009 birth years at the festival, 5 of which made the U.S. team for the U18 World Championships.
The list of 2027 recruits that the official Gopher account follows (besides Stoughton) is:
F's Talla Hansen (Benilde), Emily Pohl (Hill-Murray), Annabelle Lovell (Lovell Academy), and Adrianna Milani (Etobicoke)
D's Maggie Averill (Phillips Academy [MA]), Avery Jones (Nepean), Aurora Matt (Durham West), and Megan Mossey (Etobicoke)
We're not getting all of them, but we'll see how many end up committing.
Avery Jones to Ohio State.
The list of 2027 recruits that the official Gopher account follows (besides Stoughton) is:
F's Talla Hansen (Benilde), Emily Pohl (Hill-Murray), Annabelle Lovell (Lovell Academy), and Adrianna Milani (Etobicoke)
D's Maggie Averill (Phillips Academy [MA]), Avery Jones (Nepean), Aurora Matt (Durham West), and Megan Mossey (Etobicoke)
We're not getting all of them, but we'll see how many end up committing.
Avery Jones to Ohio State.
Now, while fully admitting I’ve never seen Ms. Jones play (or Aurora Matt for that matter), Maggie Averill and Megan Mossey are the two defenders I’ve really got my fingers crossed for. I believe it’s going to be difficult to get Averill out of the east. Her older sister Caroline is a ‘26 commit for Princeton.
🤞 Possibly the most coveted of the ‘27s
Maggie Averill is following her sister to Princeton.
Maggie Averill is following her sister to Princeton.
Thought the coaching change might give the western schools a chance. Oh well. Hope Matt or Mossey chooses us.
Annabelle Lovell commits. Undersized forward from metro Boston whose father runs the new powerhouse Lovell Academy. Was their leading scorer in 2024-25 with 158 points. Teammates with Sydney Stoughton. Played with the U18 team last year.
2026
D Sloane Hartmetz (Shattuck) From Phoenixville, Pennsylvania
F Maddie McCullough (Durham West) From Newmarket, Ontario
F Rachel Piggott (Etobicoke) From Richmond Hill, Ontario
G Payton Rolli (Warroad)
D Katya Sander (Holy Family)
2027
F Annabelle Lovell (Lovell Academy) From Hingham, Massachusetts
F Sydney Stoughton (Lovell Academy) From Mason, Ohio
https://teamusa.usahockey.com/2025u18wwcroster-annabellelovell
Here’s a free article from “Neutral Zone” on commitments made in July.
https://neutralzone.com/womens/free-july-ncaa-commitments-2025/
From “The Hockey News”:
“Meet the Next Generation of Young Women’s Hockey Players You Need to Watch”
Both Canada and the U.S. are holding their U18 camps this week to choose teams for next week’s three game series between the two countries.
Camp links:
🇺🇸 LINK
🇨🇦 LINK
Gopher watch:
🇺🇸 Lovell, Stoughton, Hartmetz, Sander (plus targets Hansen and Pohl, as well as a bunch of 2028 graduates)
🇨🇦 McCullough, Piggott (plus targets Milani, Matt, and Mossey)
Maggie Averill is following her sister to Princeton.
Must have been a good fit for her. Shows you you it isn't just about hockey.
That's a notch below the top WCHA teams playing level. At least that's how I feel when I go and watch teams like Princeton, BU, etc. at Ridder.
Seems to be a decent place to go to get an education if you're not planning to play in the NHL.Maggie Averill is following her sister to Princeton.
Must have been a good fit for her. Shows you you it isn't just about hockey.
That's a notch below the top WCHA teams playing level. At least that's how I feel when I go and watch teams like Princeton, BU, etc. at Ridder.
Sarah Fillier and Claire Thompson have shown you can thrive in the pro ranks out of Princeton too.
Looking at the Canada U18 Selection Camp site it looks like the scrimmage games will be streamed (hopefully free) HERE. The three games are Thursday, Friday and Saturday, all at 5:00 p.m. If previous years are any indication, the stream quality should be good with announcers.
Gopher commits and probable targets are….
Red Team
🎯 #18 Adrianna Milani
#37 Maddie McCullough
White Team
🎯 #15 Aurora Matt
🎯 #38 Megan Mossey
#57 Rachel Piggott
USA U18 select roster is out. Returners Sloane Hartmetz and Annabelle Lovell make it, as does newcomer Katya Sander. Returner Sydney Stoughton did not make it, though that won't preclude her from inclusion on the team in the winter.
2027 targets Talla Hansen and Emily Pohl both make it, as do two 2028 options: forward Catherine McCool of Boston and defender Taylee Manion of Hermantown.
Canada’s roster is out for the three game U18 series with the U.S. commits Maddie McCullough and Rachel Piggott return from last year, and assumed targets Adrianna Milani, Megan Mossey and Aurora Matt also made the team.