Knight leads the United States to GOLD

No matter who scored in Monday afternoon's OT thriller at the IIHF Women's World Championship, multiple Badgers were coming home with gold medals. It just so happened that USA forward Hilary Knight, who still has one season of eligibility remaining at Wisconsin found the back of the net.

The United States squad who captured the gold medal featured five current or former Badgers. Knight and Brianna Decker (who has two seasons of eligibility remaining) are the current Badgers. Recent grad and Patty Kazmaier Award winner Meghan Duggan, defenseman Molly Engstrom, and goaltender Jessie Vetter all starred in the past for the Badgers.

Knight was the most impressive player in the tournament, and led all scorers with 14 points in 5 games (5 goals, 9 assists). She also tied for the tournament lead in plus/minus at a plus 11. For her efforts, Knight was named to the all tournament team by a media panel.

Decker finished the tournament second in scoring with 11 points (4 goals, 7 assists) and Meghan Duggan ended up fifth with 7 points (4 goals, 3 assists). Engstrom recorded two points from the blue line and was a +9. Jessie Vetter continued her brilliance in goal with a .952 save percentage and 1.28 GAA and saved her best in the gold medal game when she stopped 51 of 53 shots.

Two other former Badgers aren't going home empty handed. Team Canada defensemen Meghan Mikkelson and Bobbi Jo Slusar, both former University of Wisconsin stars played big roles for Team Canada. Slusar finished the tournament with a couple of points and was a +4 and Mikkelson's 3 goals and +10 rating in the tournament earned her the honor of being named the tournament's best defenseman.

chuckschwartz(at)live.com
Follow me on Twitter

Women's Hockey Wants (and Deserves) Your Help

I haven't been able to devote much time or effort to the Wisconsin men's team in the latter half of this season, but living in Columbus allowed me to see the lady Badgers in January and has put me within a four-hour drive of Erie, Pennsylvania, the site of this year's Women's Frozen Four. Unfortunately, this also means that I will not be able to get my loud, obnoxious self to the Kohl Center this Saturday for the women's national quarterfinal game against the Russian National Team University of Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs. In my stead, I want to encourage each and every person who can possibly attend to do so.

If you're reading this, you probably already know the success that the women's team has had in recent years, and this year as well. Our #1 Badgers boast three of the top four scorers in the country in senior Meghan Duggan (2nd, 82 points), junior Hilary Knight, and sophomore Brianna Decker (T-3rd, 76 points each). Duggan is one of the three remaining candidates for the Patty Kazmaier award. The Badgers have a 2-1-1 record against the Bulldogs this year. And finally, our great fellow Wisconsin fans set the single-game women's hockey attendance record against the Gophers in January. This team wants your help, and they deserve it.

If you've never been to a women's hockey game before, you'll be impressed with what you see. One of these two teams has won the national championship each of the last five years, so there's no question that the level of play in this game will be astronomically high. There may not be any checking allowed, but that opens up the game for more skilled plays, with beautiful passing and excellent skating. And if you're not a hockey fan at all, first of all you've come to the wrong blog, but secondly you might never get another chance to see your team host an NCAA tournament game in any sport in your home arena.

So I beg of you: get to the Kohl Center any way you can on Saturday night. Walk. Drive. Bike. Take a cab. Even get one of those wacky bicycle-rickshaw things if you have to. Just go, be loud, and cheer the Badgers on to victory. Make this game a night to rememeber, and send our lady Badgers (and me) to Erie with the chance to win their fourth national championship. It's always a great day for hockey.

Knight, Duggan named Patty Kaz Finalists

Thursday Wisconsin forwards Meghan Duggan (pictured) and Hillary Knight were announced as top 10 finalists for the 2011 Patt Kazmaier Award.

According to the release, "This year marks the 14th annual presentation of the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award, given annually to the top player in NCAA Division I women’s ice hockey. Selection criteria includes outstanding individual and team skills, sportsmanship, performance in the clutch, personal character, competitiveness and a love of hockey. Consideration is also given to academic achievement and civic involvement."

Duggan, a senior forward was also honored on Thursday by the WCHA as it's Player of the Year. Duggan, a member of last years USA Olympic team which picked up a silver medal in Vancouver led the WCHA in scoring with 61 points in 28 games for a 2.18 point per game clip. Duggan won the league scoring race by 10 points over teammate and line mate, Sophomore Brianna Decker. Duggan's 79 total points this season are tied for first nationally.

Knight, a junior forward is putting goals on the board at an insane rate this season. Her 46 goals this season are 11 more than the next highest goal scorer (Duggan). Knight's 46 goals this season are also more than 4 Division-1 women's teams scored the entire season. Knight was also honored by the WCHA on Thursday being announced as a first team All-WCHA forward. This is the second time Knight has been a finalist for the Patty Kaz.

According to UWBadgers.com, 10 UW women's players have been finalists for the award: Sara Bauer (2006, 2007), Duggan (2011), Molly Engstrom (2005), Meghan Hunter (2001), Knight (2009, 2011), Erika Lawler (2009), Carla MacLeod (2005), Meaghan Mikkelson (2007), Bobbi-Jo Slusar (2006) and Jessie Vetter (2009).

Sara Bauer won the award in 2006 and Jessie Vetter won the award in 2009.

Here are the Badges honored by the WCHA on Thursday at the League Awards:

Hilary Knight-First team forward
Meghan Duggan-First team forward
Brianna Decker-First team forward
Brittany Haverstock-Third team defenseman
Brittany Ammerman-All Rookie team forward
Alex Rigsby-All Rookie team goalie
Mark Johnson-Coach of the year

chuckschwartz(at)live.com
Follow me on Twitter

The Bowl was filled...and then some

Last night 10,668 Badger hockey fans filled the Kohl Center to watch Wisconsin defeat minnesota 3-1. 

Wow was that fun!  I've never been able to sit in the 2nd deck (my prefered place to sit) to watch the Women, but didn't have much of a choice getting there 20 minutes before the puck dropped.  It was amazing to grab a seat and already see 90% of the lower bowl filled, and then watch as the 2nd level filled and filled, while the KC had to even open the 3rd level.  This is no big deal for a Men's game, but after regularly watching a 1/3 full (at best) lower bowl at games, it was exciting to see so many people at a Women's game.

And those that came were treated to one heck of a game!  The Badgers came out firing early in the 1st period as Hilary Knight scored her 99th career goal (34th of the year) past the gopher's goalie Raty (one rodent knows another...) less than a minute in.  Great passing from Brittany Haverstock and Meghan Duggan.  Later in the first, WI native Brianna Decker took the puck shorthanded around the entire gohper team scoring a highlight reel goal to put Bucky up 2-0.

The Badgers controlled the 1st period, notching 22 SOG.  In the second, the gophers took some of the momentum back scoring a SH goal of their own on a Klubertanz like play on the blue line by the Badgers for a nearly uncontested breakaway.  The Badgers answered later in the 2nd on a nice goal by Carolyne Prevost, putting the Badgers up 3-1, and that was the way the game ended.

The Badgers did very well on the PK, the gophers went 0-6 on the man advantage.  The other star of the game for the Badgers was another WI native Alex Rigsby.  She made some big saves in net and it was easily one of her best games of the year.  A nice night for the freshman.

W/ a win and an shootout win (5 points total in WCHA Women's scoring) the Badgers have opened their conference lead to 16 pts over minnesota and 17 pts over North Dakota.  The Badgers only need one win in the next 6 games to finish the regular season as WCHA champs.  Looks tough for a team on a 14 game unbeaten streak...

The 10,668 fans in attendance set a new NCAA record for a Women's Hockey game.  The previous record from Camp Randall last season was 8,263 fans.  Immediately following the game at center ice, Becker Law Office presented Second Harvest w/ a check for $10,668, in addition to all the non-perishable goods fans had donated on their way into the KC.  Hats off to Becker Law Office for the generous donation.  I'm hoping UW does this again next year, it was the prefect storm to get fans in the KC.  Men's team on the road, and no television for those games, no football and no UW basketball in prime time.

While I've had fun at Men's games this season, this was the most fun I've had at the Kohl Center this year.  The Women's team gave the fans in attendance a very entertaining game, and for the "no checking = no hockey" crowd there was a lot of physical play on both sides.  Brooke Ammerman even ignited the crowd after leveling gopher post whistle.

While I don't expect to see big crowds every game for the Women, I hope those in attendance enjoyed the game, and make it a point to catch a few games yet this season, next season and beyond.  At $5, its the best deal in UW sports for the quality of the product on the ice.

I didn't include any pictures, but the links to uwbadgers and WSJ at the top have some nice photo galleries, check them out.

International Badgers

It's a huge week/end for international hockey. USA has teams in the U17 Four Nations Cup in Woodride, Il, the U18 Four Nations Cup in Sundsvall, Sweeden, the World Junior A Challenge in Penticton, British Columbia, and the Women's Four Nation Cup in St. John's N.L.

2012 Wisconsin recruit Nic Kerdiles (pictured) got the USA U17 team on the board Wednesday with a goal en route to a 6-1 victory over Switzerland. Kerdiles also notched a goal in the opening game, a 4-1 USA victory over Slovakia. The U17 team finishes up pool play on Friday night vs Russia.

2011 Wisconsin recruit Jake McCabe and the USA U18 team lost in an exhibition game to Sweden on Wednesday 3-1. McCabe did not record a point. The U18 team opens pool play Thursday morning against Finland at 8:30 AM CST.

There are no future Badgers on Team USA at the World Junior A challenge but there are four Wisconsinites playing for the red white and blue. Ohio State recruit Max McCormick (DePere), North Dakota recruit Jordan Schmaltz (Verona), Denver recruit Garrett Allen (Delafield), and Colorado College recruit Aaron Harstad (Stevens Point) are all in attendance. Team USA is 2-0 so far and will be playing in the Semi-Finals on Saturday.

At the Women's Four Nations Cup Team USA is off to a fast 2-0 start. The USA Women avenged a loss to Canada in the last Olympics with a 3-2 shootout victory to open the tournament. Badger senior forward Meghan Duggan had a goal and Badger Junior forward Hilary Knight scored the only goal in the shootout. Former Badger Jessie Vetter stopped 32 shots in the game plus all three shooters she saw during the shootout. Vetter was named the player of the game.

Meghan Duggan led the charge in game two vs Finland with two goals. Badger sophomore forward Brianna Decker had a goal and an assist and was named the player of the game for Team USA in the 4-0 victory. Hilary Knight chipped in an assist. The ladies are on the ice next on Friday vs Sweden. Former Badgers Molly Engstrom and Jinelle Zaugg-Siergiej are also on the roster for Team USA.

chuckschwartz@live.com
Follow me on Twitter

Decker out til December

Brianna Decker was injuried after scoring her second goal during saturday's 3-0 win, now we know the extent: she has broken her right arm and will be out til December.

This is a big blow for the Badger Women; Brianna was the top player on the ice both nights even though she's only a freshman.

Hoping for a speedy recovery!

Badger Women split to open season

Friday night the 2009 Championship Banner was added to the rafters at the Kohl Center, unfortunately the celebration was on the wrong end of the ice when the final buzzer went off. North Dakota Lady Sioux gained their 1st ever victory against the Cardinal and White in a 2-0 shocker (to some).

The Sioux goalie was outstanding (giving credit where it was due) and the officiating was horrible (same on saturday night), but the Badgers didn't capitalize on several chances. The Badgers dominated most of the game, especially the 2nd period, but couldn't sneak anything by. In the 3rd period, several Badgers tried to win the game by themselves, and the team game evaporated, and then the frustration started and penalties basically ended the game w/ 4 minutes to go, as the Badgers PKed it til there was 7 seconds left.

I wasn't completely shocked by the outcome and here is why. The Badgers graduated the most successful class in school history including the best goalie in NCAA history. Hilary Knight and Meghan Duggan are off preparing for the Olympics, and would have been the top two returning scorers. Alannah McCready, who started friday night, had little experience since Jessie played so often. Filling the gaps on offense will take time and the blue line saw three new faces. Team Chemistry is not instantaneous. North Dakota already played two games last weekend; the Badgers were definitely rusty on friday night.

The rust was gone on saturday night. The Badgers dominated almost the entire game, the Sioux did make a push late in the 3rd period. Becca Ruegsegger played her first game in the goal, and pitched a shutout as the Badgers won 3-0. Freshman were key in the victory. Besides Ruegsegger, Brianna Decker was phenomenal scoring 2 goals (both assisted by Jasmine Giles), while walk-on Lauren Unser notched her first goal assisted by Stepanie McKeough and Junior Maria Evans. Decker is going to be something special, but she did leave the game after her second goal, after schooling several Sioux players, she flew into the net shortly after the puck and hit the crossbar. She did not return following the 2nd period.

It will take some time for the team to come together, by the time they return later in the month for a 4 weekend home stand, they should be fine.

Line combos for those interested.

Giles-Decker-Ammerman
Prevost-Deluce-Sanders
Kranz-Nash-Frykas
Evans-Prough-Unser

The defenders were rotated on friday as 7 played, though on saturday I remember the following combos:

Haverstock-Dronen
Windmeier-Jakiel
Pacholok-McKeough

Geena Prough played D on friday and forward on saturday. She was great in either role and a great addition to the team.

It will be an interesting season for the Badger Women, there could be some ups and downs, but the only thing that really matters is how the finish in the end. One poor game doesn't make a season.

Much needed Women's Update

The Badger Women open up their regular season this friday night against North Dakota at 7 PM at the Kohl Center. They will be raising the banner for NC #3 before the game.

The Women are picked to finish first in the league coaches poll, while collecting six of eight first place votes. In addition, two Badgers were picked for POY and ROY respectively. Sophomore Sensation Brooke Ammerman received 5 votes for POY, and freshman Brianna Decker received 6 votes for ROY.

Last night the Badger Women held their Red/White Scrimmage, w/ Team White winning 8-1. Brianna Decker had 5 goals for Team White.

Last friday, the USA Women's Select Team took on the WCHA All-Stars at the X in St. Paul, winning 6-1. Jessie Vetter was in net for Team USA. Of the Badgers playing on Team USA, Jinelle Zaugg, Kerry Weiland and Molly Engstrom all had goals, while Hilary Knight, Erika Lawler and Meghan Duggan each had an assist. Current Badgers Jasmine Giles, Mallory Deluce and Brooke Ammerman all played on the same line for the All-Stars, and according to our friend nubettle, who was at the game, they gave Team USA the most trouble, even if it didn't show up on the score sheet. Brittany Haverstock also was a defender for the All-Stars. Reminder that you can see Team USA at the Kohl Center on Tuesday January 5th at 7 PM when they face the Badger Women.

On saturday, Team USA played a game against the St. Cloud Women and crushed them 13-0. There were some pretty big stat lines for several Badgers playing on Team USA.

Hilary Knight: 3-4-7, +5
Jinelle Zaugg: 1-4-5, +5
Meghan Duggan: 2-0-2, 4 PIM, +2
Kerry Weiland: 0-3-2, +2
Angie Keseley: 1-0-1, +1

Zaugg and Knight played the wings on the 2nd line, while Keseley and Duggan played the wings on the 3rd line.

Honestly, they should just hand Hilary Knight the Patty Kaz awards for 2011 and 2012 now, there is no stopping her.

09/10 Women's Previews: #18 Brianna Decker

Vitals:

Position: Forward
Year in School: Freshman
Shoots Right
Height: 5-4
Hometown: Dousman, WI
Major: undeclared
Previous Team: Shattuck St. Mary’s & Team USA U18 last season

08/09 Stats: 80-46-126 @ Shattuck

09/10 Role: 1st or 2nd line, PP

08/09 Recap: As team captain last year at Shattuck St. Mary’s, Brianna cleared dominated. Her domination continued as alternate captain of the USA Women’s U18 team that won gold at the 2009 Women’s WJC, coaching by Mark Johnson. Have you seen reference to this before? Almost every freshman played in that championship game.

09/10 Thoughts: Brianna is arguably the best freshman in the country this season, and I think there are a lot of followers of girl’s hockey in the state who are anxious to see her play this season. I have high hopes for Brianna this season, and honestly I wouldn’t have been totally surprised to have seen her on the Olympic team. Glad to have her in the Cardinal and White though. W/ losses to graduation and the Olympic team, the chance will be there for her to star right away. If Hilary Knight is da bomb, what will that make Brianna Decker?

Prediction: 34 games, 25-25-50*
*All predictions for regular season only

Photo from www.gmtoday.com

WW U18: Johnson leads USA to Gold

(Left photo courtesy of Hux on the uscho fan forum. Right photo by Mika Kylmaniemi, IIHF/HHof Images.)

Team USA, led by the Badger Women's head coach Mark Johnson, has defeated Team Canada 3-2 in overtime to win gold at the World Women's U18 Championship in Fussen, Germany. Captain Alev Kelter, alternate captain Madison Packer, and Brianna Decker have verballed to the Badgers, and I'd imagine that Brittany Ammerman might commit to the Badgers as well. Future Badgers Breann Frykas and Saige Pacholok won silver with Team Canada.

Alev Kelter also received the Directorate Award for Best Defenseman.

Mark Johnson on the game:

"It's an exciting day for USA Hockey," said Team USA Head Coach Mark Johnson, who is also the head women's ice hockey coach at the University of Wisconsin. "Anytime you get to play for a championship, it's special, but when it's a world championship, it's that much better. The players, support staff and everyone involved with the team played their role and did things very well and the end result is bringing home the trophy."

Box
Recaps: iihf, usahockey, hockeycanada
Photos: iihf, usahockey (game), usahockey (celebration)

Kelter 0-0-0, 1 SOG, -1
Packer 0-0-0, 3 SOG, E
Decker 0-0-0, 5 SOG, +1
Ammerman 1-0-1, 4 SOG, E

Frykas 0-0-0, 0 SOG, E
Pacholok 0-0-0, 2 SOG, E

Tournament stats (5 GP)
Kelter 5-3-8, 20 SOG, +16
Packer 6-5-11, 27 SOG, +13
Decker 8-1-9, 26 SOG, +15
Ammerman 5-5-10, 20 SOG, +16

Frykas 1-2-3, 12 SOG, +7
Pacholok 0-8-8, 2 SOG, +13

WW U18s: USA, CAN win final prelim games

(Alev Kelter scores! Photo from usahockey.com)

Team USA and Team Canada have both won their final preliminary games, going undefeated in the preliminary round. In Friday's semifinals, CAN will face SWE at 9:30 AM CST and USA will face CZE at 1 PM CST. (How on earth did CZE make the semifinals after winning just 1 of their 3 prelim games?)

USA 9 - SWE 2
Box, Recap, Photos
Brianna Decker 2-0-2, 5 SOG, +1
Alev Kelter 1-0-1, 1 SOG, +4
Brittany Ammerman 0-1-1, 3 SOG, +1
Madison Packer 1-0-1, 3 SOG, -1

"We're extremely happy with the outcome of tonight's game," said Team USA Head Coach Mark Johnson, who is also the head women's ice hockey coach at the University of Wisconsin. "Sweden has a very strong team and I certainly give our players credit for coming out with energy. It was a very good way to finish the prelims - now we have a day to recoup and get ready for the next round."

By the way, Gandalf tells me that the folks on the uscho women's fan forum have indicated that Packer has verballed to the Badgers, so I've added her stats above. (Ammerman has not yet verballed as far as I'm aware; I'm just hopeful.)

Also, I neglected to mention that Kelter is serving as captain of Team USA and Packer is an alternate captain. Furthermore, it seems that both girls are contributing to a diary of the WW U18s.

CAN 13 - CZE 0
Box, Recap
Breann Frykas 0-1-1, 4 SOG, +3
Saige Pacholok 0-4-4, 0 SOG, +6

WW U18s: USA, CAN clinch semifinal spots

By defeating Germany 11-0 yesterday, Team USA has clinched a spot in Friday's semifinals of the World Women's U18 Championship.

Box, Recap
Brianna Decker - 1-0-1, 5 SOG, +4
Alev Kelter - 0-0-0, 5 SOG, +4
Brittany Ammerman - 2-0-2, 5 SOG, +4

The preliminary round isn't over yet. At 12:30 pm today, the US will play Sweden, the other team in Group A who has also already clinched a semifinal spot. Sweden defeated Germany 8-1 and Russia 6-1 in their previous prelim games.

“The competition will get tougher starting tomorrow against Sweden – we've played two good games, but now we'll have the opportunity to really make some strides,” U.S. head coach Mark Johnson said.

By defeating Finland 6-0 yesterday, Team Canada has also clinched a spot in Friday's semifinals. They'll play the Czech Republic in their final prelim game today. The Czechs lost to Finland 2-1 and defeated Switzerland 7-3 in their previous prelim games

Box, Recap
Breann Frykas 0-0-0, 2 SOG, E
Saige Pacholok 1-0-1, 3 SOG, +1

Badger Women add recruits too

Similar to the Men's team, Mark Johnson and the Lady Badgers received several signed National Letters of Intent this week as well. Returning letters and joining the Badgers next Fall are Brianna Decker (F) of Dousman, WI; Saige Pacholok (D) of Edmonton, Alberta; Breann Frykas (F) of East St. Paul, Manitoba and Becca Ruegsegger (G).

Coach Johnson had the following to say about each young woman:

About Decker, “Brianna is very competitive and has unbelievable potential that will fit right into our program very nicely,” said Coach Johnson. “She was one of the leaders for the team last year that won a gold medal and she is just coming off playing with our national senior team at the Four Nations which also won a gold medal. She is very gifted as a scorer.”

About Pacholok, “Saige is gifted in a lot of areas with skating and skill parts of the game,” Coach Johnson said. “She brings a lot of energy with her game and we are real excited for her growth as a player.”

About Ruegsegger, “We are excited with Rebecca coming into Madison and playing for us,” said Coach Johnson. “She has been at Shattuck throughout her career and had an opportunity to play for the Under-18 team last year. She has great work habits and is a wonderful person who is very academically sound.”

About Frykas, “Breann is a very intelligent player with great hockey sense,” said Coach Johnson. “She is also very gifted in the offensive part of the game.”

Until reading this article, I did not know that Saige Pacholok was coming to Madison. This is looking like another great class. Brianna Decker should be one of the top freshman in the country next year. In addition to these four players, it is expected that three other players will join the Badger Women in 2009: Lauren Unser, Alev Kelter and Derya Kelter.

Reminder, the #1 Badger Women are in Fort Myers, FL this weekend taking on #3 New Hampshire. Go Badgers!

Some Badger Women News

Thanks to the kids in the uscho women's fan forums for the heads-up:

• The start of official practices will kick-off with a Red-White scrimmage on Saturday. Captains' practices ended earlier this week.
  


• USA Hockey has named the 2008 Women's Select Team that will compete in the Four Nations Cup November 4-9. The team includes 4 current Badgers - Jessie Vetter (G), Erika Lawler (F), Meghan Duggan (F), Hilary Knight (F); 2 Badger alumni - Molly Engstrom (D), Kerry Weiland (D); and 1 future Badger - Brianna Decker (F).
  

More on recent Badger Women recruits

Well, 60 asked for Dplaya's thoughts over on HIW, and he has answered.

"I've seen Decker play quite a few times and she has been nothing less than dominant every time I have seen her. Unlike her Shattuck teammate and fellow Wisconsinite Amanda Kessel who has blistering speed, Decker excels in puck control even with opposing players draped all over her.

Decker stepped out of the shadows of the Lamoureux twins (both of whom will play for Minnesota this season) last year at Shattuck St. Mary's scoring 79 goals and 45 assists for 124 points in just 55 games. Decker was fantastic this off-season as well at not only the National Select 17 Girls festival where she had five goals and five assists for ten points, four more points than any other player but also at the US U-18 series against Canada where she notched four goals and two assists for six points, three more than any other player."

Sounds like Mark Johnson and company landed themselves a great one here! And they might not be too far off w/ the Kelter twins from Eagle River, Alaska. I couldn't find any readily available information on the older twin Derya, but I did found a few things on Alev.

It appears that Alev is not only a talented hockey player (she helped the US U18 Women's team to the gold in December), but she is also a great soccer player. For her efforts in various sports in Alaska, she was named Female Athelete of the Year in Alaska (I'm assuming that is just HS). Also, she was named Rise Magazine Alaska Girl's Soccer POY.

In the article from the Anchorage Daily News, I guess she played w/ the boys hockey team last year as well.

'A week later she suited up in hockey gear to play defense on the boys varsity hockey team. It's not uncommon to have girls playing boys hockey around the state, but this season Kelter was the only girl to play in the Cook Inlet Conference, arguably the toughest high school hockey league in Alaska.

Kelter had the option to play in the all-girls league, but her style of play is more suited to skate with the boys.

"She likes to play a physical hockey game," said Chugiak coach Rod Wild.'

More..

'"She brings more than just skill to the team," Chugiak soccer coach Dan Pinkerton said. "She brings team leadership."

Several Chugiak hockey players graduated this year, so Wild said she'll have big shoes to fill on the blueline. Wild isn't the least concerned with her work ethic -- or gender.

"She always has the goal of getting better," he said. "She spends a lot of time comparing today to yesterday."

Asked whether she has the skills to play Division I girls hockey, Wild replied, "She can go wherever she wants."'

Again, nice work to Mark Johnson and staff on picking up some great recruits!

Badger Women get 3 more recruits for '09-'10

Looks like the Badgers have picked up 3 more recruits for the '09-'10 season -- forward Brianna Decker (Dousman, WI), defenseman Alev Kelter (Eagle River, AK), and forward Derya Kelter (Eagle River, AK). Already committed for the '09-'10 season is goaltender Rebecca Ruegsegger (Lakewood, CO).

Right now, I don't know much about these players, but I know that DPlaya on HIW has always been quite high on Decker and had indicated that she's a must-get for the Badgers. Keep an eye on his blog, as I imagine he'll have something to say about this!

I'm a bit swamped right now, but I promise at some point to do a little bit of research and post some more information on these fine young players for you.