Women’s college hockey: a few incoming commits to know

Keep an Eye Out: Top NCAA Commits

Late spring and early summer means graduation season: college seniors are graduating and making room for the next class of elites. Take a look below at some of the top players who are committed to play in the NCAA this upcoming season.

Amy Potomak, F, University of Minnesota

Yes, that Potomak. Amy is the younger sister of Sarah, a rising junior playing for the University of Minnesota. Amy is also set to play for Minnesota, and the combination of the two Potomaks is bound to be a major force in the WCHA.

The younger Potomak has represented Canada in numerous tournaments, including the 2016 World Juniors Championship where she won a silver medal. She also has participated in the Team Canada training camp. Potomak spent the 2016-2017 season playing for the Pacific Steelers in the JWHL, where she finished the season with 36 points (18G 18A) in 22 games played.

Perhaps most notably, both Amy and Sarah Potomak were named to Team Canada’s centralization roster for the 2018 Winter Olympics. 28 players were named to the centralization roster, which means both Potomaks have a good shot at making the final 21 player Olympic roster.

Liz Schepers, F, Ohio State University

The Badgers are a team always looking for a little more “oomph” to make them better contenders, and Liz Schepers may be just who they have been waiting for. Schepers has spent the majority of her career with Mound Westonka High School in the Minnesota State High School League, where she’s showed off her talent in both the regular and post-season.

Schepers ended her senior year with a whopping 86 points (60G 26A). In a late season game, she managed to score five goals and add an assist to help her team to a 9-0 win over Litchfield/Dassel-Cokato. Schepers has what it takes to succeed in the NCAA.

Olivia Kilberg, F, University of Vermont

Another standout for a Minnesota State High School League team, the Edina Hornets, is Olivia Kilberg. In the 2016-2017 season with the Hornets, Kilberg had 33 points (14G 19A) in 30 games played. Kilberg played a big part in helping the Edina girls to their first state tournament title; she had two goals and three assists in the tourney. Kilberg also has experience playing with sure-to-be future pros, as she spent time with the Minnesota Junior Whitecaps this past season as well.

Lisa Bruno, D, Ohio State University

Lisa Bruno has had a tough journey in getting to the NCAA. She broke her collarbone three times early in her career with the Durham West Lightning in the PWHL. Bruno bounced back, and has stayed healthy for two seasons now, which certainly played a part in landing her a scholarship at Ohio State. Bruno is a talented two-way defenseman, something Ohio State needs as they build up their program.

The North Dakota Situation

Fans were heartbroken when the University of North Dakota announced they were cutting their women’s hockey program due to budgetary reasons. This sudden decision left players in a bind with what to do about their sports careers and academics in the next season. One recruit, Lauren Hennessey, even flew in to Grand Forks on doomsday and learned of the program cut in shockingly devastating fashion. As the new season approaches, expect some North Dakota players to commit to other NCAA teams.