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NCAA

2016 NWHL Draft prospect profile: Dani Cameranesi

With the #3 pick in the 2016 NWHL draft, the Connecticut Whale selected Gophers alternate captain Dani Cameranesi.

2016 NWHL DRAFT INFO

Minnesota Gophers standout forward Dani Cameranesi was selected third overall in the NWHL draft, following her teammate Lee Stecklein who went second. Stecklein and Cameranesi were two of eleven WCHA players taken in the 2016 draft. They also were two of eleven Americans selected in the draft. Cameranesi and Stecklein join several of their former Gophers teammates that were selected by the NWHL.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Cameranesi has always been a reliable performer for Minnesota. Her freshman year, she managed 36 points (19G 17A) in 41 games played, an impressive feat. However, in her next two seasons, she kicked it into high gear, ending her sophomore season with 65 points (23G 42A) and her junior season with 68 points (33G 35A). These accomplishments have been rewarded; she’s twice been a top-10 finalist for the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award.

Cameranesi also has quite a bit of national team experience. She’s played in 31 games with Team USA in various tournaments since 2011, and she has 24 points (9G 15A) in those games. In 2015, she won gold with Team USA in the IIHF Women’s World championship.

2016-2017 NEWS

A lower body injury has kept Cameranesi out of several games this season, but when she was playing she was unstoppable. She’s had a whopping eight multigoal games, including a hat trick in a home game versus Minnesota State in November. At the time she got injured, she was #1 in the nation in scoring. With 32 points (18G 14A) in just 19 games, she would have been on track to meet her previous seasons’ point totals, but multiple outlets have been reporting that she is out for the rest of the season after having ankle injury, although the Gophers have not confirmed it.

QUOTES

Early this season, Dani Cameranesi spoke with gophersports.com about a number of topics, including reflections on her Gophers career and the possibility of continuing to play hockey after college:

“Obviously it feels good [ranking among Minnesota’s all-time leading goal scorers]. It didn’t even know I was ranked that high, but it feels good to ranked among some of the best Gophers...it is an honor.

“A lot of great college players and Olympic players are playing in the professional league. I’m hope to pave the way for younger girls, even me, but especially girls who are interested in playing hockey. I think they’ll be even more interested knowing that you can play professionally.”

SCOUTING REPORT

Born June 30th, 1995. 5’5”, forward, shoots left. Known not only as a goal scorer, but as someone who sets up scoring plays. Excellent on the power play.

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