ORONO, ME - Head women's ice hockey coach Molly Engstrom announced the incoming class for the 2024-25 season consisting of nine new players. Seven of the new players are first-year athletes, and two are transfers from the WCHA.
Head Coach Molly Engstrom on the incoming class: "We are excited about the incoming class. We have our sights set on the next steps for this program and we think this class is a great fit for that vision. It's a diverse group of players positionally and from where they hail; they come from great programs. We all need to understand where we want to go and be willing to lean into it. We think this group is right for that, which makes it exciting for everyone."
#4 Jaidyn Britt, D, Sophomore Transfer
Jaidyn Britt is a defender from Crystal Lake, IL who is transferring in as a sophomore after skating in 14 games for St. Cloud State University. Prior to St. Cloud, she competed for the 19U Windy City Storm and Chicago Young Americans AAA programs. Britt plans to pursue Exercise Science at UMaine.
#6 Gracie Hanson, F, Freshman
Hailing from Lakeville, MN, forward Gracie Hanson captained Lakeville North in her junior and senior years, playing 79 games and tallying 115 points. Hanson recently was invited to the USA Hockey Girls National 2006 Training Camp that will feature 38 players in the 2006 birth year (20 Forwards, 14 Defense, and 4 Goalies) taking place in late July 2024.
#15 Dani Brunette, F, Junior Transfer
Transferring from the University of Minnesota-Dultuh, Dani Brunette will join the forward squad for the Black Bears this season. Brunette played in 43 games for the Bulldogs over the course of her first two seasons. The Ham Lake, MN native was a two-time selectee to USA Hockey National Development Camps in both 2019 and 2021 and played for Chisago Lakes High School.
#18 Frederikke Foss, F, Freshman
Coming to Maine from Denmark, Frederikke Foss will add to Maine's forward core this season. Foss played in the US for the past three seasons attending Worcester Academy for two years and most recently attending Shattuck St. Mary's last season. In her time at Shattuck St. Mary's, Foss produced 48 points in 51 games which led to her making the Danish National Team for the World Championships in April 2024. Foss has represented Denmark at the World Junior Championships prior.
#22 Brenna Curl, D, Freshman
The Bismark, ND native, Brenna Curl, will join the defensive end for the Black Bears this season. Curl comes to Maine after playing for and captaining the Bismark Century High, notching 30 points in 28 games last season. Brenna is the sister of Wisconsin women's hockey stand-out and PWHL Minnesota draftee, Britta Curl.
#23 Stephanie Jacob, F, Freshman
Forward Stephanie Jacob hails from Winnipeg, MB who played for the U18 AAA Winnipeg Ice last season. Jacob joins the Black Bears after scoring 60 goals and 24 assists in 54 games and leading her team to Provincial Champions this season. Jacob also earned a spot on Team Manitoba U18 this year.
#26 Kendall Sundby, D, Freshman
From Hammond, WI, Kendall Sundby played the last two seasons for Team Wisconsin 19U AAA and the St. Croix Valley Fusion. Sundby was one of nine players named to the all-state first team, as she finished the season with 33 goals and 25 assists during the regular season and added seven goals and two assists in the Fusion's three playoff games. Fun Fact: Sundby's standout efforts earned her the Molly Engstrom Award for the third straight year, which is given to the state's top defender. Sundby plans to study Business at UMaine.
#33 Kiia Lahtinen, G, Freshman
Joining the goaltender trio from Porvoo, Finland, Kiia Lahtinen previously played for the HIFK women's team. Leading her team to a 16-5-0 record, Lahtinen played in all 16 games boasting a .933 save percentage and 1.25 goals-against average last season. Lahtinen has also played for Finland's U18 Women's World Championship Team in 2019-2020 and has played in Finland's highest women's level, HIFK, since 2020.
#38 Madisyn Ryan, G, Freshman
Completing the trio of goaltenders for the Black Bears, Madisyn Ryan will come to Maine after playing in both California and Florida. Ryan, a Norco, CA native, played three seasons for the Anaheim Lady Ducks before finalizing her high school career with the Florida Alliance 19U AAA. Last season, Ryan played in 25 games while holding a .930 save percentage. Additionally, Madisyn is a three-time USA Girls National Camp Selectee. Ryan plans to study Exercise Science at UMaine.
Tickets for the 2024-25 season are on sale now! Please visit GoBlackBears.com.tickets, or call the ticket office at 207-581.BEAR to purchase. For more information about the benefits of being a Maine Women's Hockey Season Member, contact the Ticket Office at (207) 581-BEAR or email um.tickets@maine.edu.
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