Troy, NY – Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) Women's Ice Hockey Team and Head Coach Brian Vines The Engineers have announced eight new players for the 2024-25 season, including five forwards, two defenders and one goalkeeper, as well as two transfer students and a former national champion.
Here are the 2024-25 RPI women's ice hockey rookies in alphabetical order.
Maylee Ambras – Freshman
Goaltender – 5’11” – Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania
A former member of the Pittsburgh Penguins Elite and Philadelphia Jr. Flyers programs, Ambras has competed at Tier I USA Hockey Nationals three consecutive years, winning a bronze medal in 2024. In addition to winning the 2023 Mid-Atlantic Women's Hockey Association (MAWHA) Championship, Ambras and the Jr. Flyers also won Atlantic Amateur Hockey Association (AAHA) district titles in 2023 and 2024. Ambras has also been selected for multiple USA Hockey women's player development programs, including the 2022 U-16/17 National Camp and the 2023 U-18 Select Camp.
When asked why he chose RPI, Ambras said, “I chose Rensselaer because of the excellent academic and athletic opportunities that allow me to thrive both in the classroom and on the ice. Additionally, I value the warm and supportive campus community that makes RPI feel like home.”
Alexis Brunette – Freshman
Forward – 5'7″ – Kingston, Ontario
Bruenette comes to Rensselaer after spending the past four seasons with the Kingston Jr. Ice Wolves program. After making his debut with Kingston in the P-WHL in 2019-20, Bruenette was promoted to the Ice Wolves OWHL U22 AA team where he earned 78 points (43 goals, 35 assists) in 106 games after his promotion. Bruenette's play took a big leap in 2023-24, where the forward recorded career highs of 21 goals and 19 assists in 43 games.
Bluenet said of her reasons for choosing RPI, “When I went on my official visit, I knew it was the right school for me. The girls were so welcoming, the coaching staff was amazing, and the team culture is one of a kind. I can't wait to get started.”
Molly Hamilton – Freshman
Forward – 5'3″ – Bay Tree, Alberta
Hamilton was a member of Team Alberta at the 2023 U18 National Championship, appearing in all six games and recording one assist. Hamilton recorded 11 goals and 27 assists over two seasons with the CSSHL U18 Northern Alberta Extreme and was selected as a CSSHL All-Star in 2022-23. Last season, he recorded 18 points (five goals, 13 assists) with the Red Deer Chiefs in the AFHL U18 AAA division.
When asked why he chose RPI, Hamilton said, “RPI is a place that inspires exploration and pushes me to be my best. I'm excited to test my limits and create opportunities in the process.”
Sophie Helgeson – Transfer Student (Wisconsin)
Defenseman – 5’6” – Roseau, Minnesota
Helgeson brings championship experience to RPI's squad, having been part of Wisconsin's national title-winning squad last season. Helgeson appeared in 109 games over three seasons with the Badgers, totaling three goals and four assists as a member of Wisconsin's defense.
When asked why he chose RPI, Helgeson said, “It's a great program led by a great staff of coaches, so I can't wait to contribute. I also like RPI's reputation for great academic and business connections. I look forward to earning my Master's in Business Administration and am excited to play hockey at RPI.”
Gracyn McKay – Freshman
Defenceman – 5’6” – Irma, Alberta
McKay has played the past three years with Hamilton for the Northern Alberta Extreme and the Red Deer Chiefs. A two-time All-Star with Northern Alberta of the CSSHL, McKay played 55 games with the Extreme from 2021-2023 before appearing in 30 AFHL games with the Red Deer Chiefs last season. McKay and the Chiefs won the Mandy Schwartz Fire Starter Tournament and were ranked No. 1 in Canada for much of the 2023-2024 season.
When asked why he chose RPI, MacKay said, “RPI is a highly reputable school that will help me achieve my dreams.”
Natalie Tulchinski – Graduate (Transferred from Saint Anselm College/Boston University)
Forward – 5'4″ – Clifton Park, NY
Tulchinski transferred to RPI as a graduate student after spending two seasons each at Boston College (2020-22) and Saint Anselm (2022-24). After appearing in 47 games with three goals and four assists at Boston College, Tulchinski flourished at Saint Anselm, making her Hawk debut in 2022-23, scoring 20 goals and 22 assists to be named to the All-New England Women's Hockey Alliance (NEWHA) Second Team. In 2023-24, Tulchinski scored another 20 goals and 22 assists to be named to the NEWHA First Team All-Conference and NEWHA Player of the Year. Tulchinski will be the first New York State player to be named to the Engineers roster since Blake O'Ross ('20).
Charlotte Wensley – Year 1
Forward – 5'5″ – Dover, NH
Wensley comes to Troy after spending two years with the East Coast Wizards and St. Paul's School, where he was named both a New England Prep School All-Star and a Lakes Region All-Star. Wensley was also selected for the USA Hockey National Camp in 2022.
When asked why she chose RPI, Wensley said, “The moment I stepped on campus, I felt a sense of home and community. I knew this was where I was meant to be.”
Kara Woodcroft – Year 1
Forward – 5'10″ – Toronto, Ontario
Woodcroft played 72 games over the past three seasons with OWHL U22 AA teams Ridley College (2021-22) and London Devilettes (2022-24). Woodcroft's best season came in 2023-24, when he recorded a career-high 13 points (four goals, nine assists) in 41 games as a forward. Kara's father, Craig Woodcroft, has been the head coach of the KHL's Dynamo Masques since 2019.
Regarding why he chose RPI, Woodcroft said, “I am very excited to be attending RPI in the fall. From the moment I stepped on campus and spent time with the team and coaching staff, I knew this is where I would be calling my home for the next four years. I can't wait to get started early and meet all of my teammates.”
Season ticket orders and renewals for RPI Hockey's 2024-25 season are now being accepted. To purchase season tickets, renew or have any questions, please contact the Houston Field House Box Office at 518-276-6262 or boxoffice@rpi.edu. Individual tickets will go on sale beginning Aug. 19 at www.rpiathletics.universitytickets.com.
