ORONO, Maine – Head coach of the women's ice hockey team, Molly Engstrom, has announced nine new players for the 2024-25 season. Seven of the new recruits are first-year players and two are transfers from the WCHA.
Head Coach Molly Engstrom On the freshmen: “I'm excited about the freshmen. We're looking at the next step for our program and we think this class fits that vision perfectly. It's a diverse group of players in terms of positions and where they're from and they come from great programs. We all have to know where we want to go and be willing to work towards it. We think this group fits that bill and is exciting for everyone.”
#4 Jaidyn Britt, D, Sophomore Transfer Student
Jaydyn Britt is a defender from Crystal Lake, Illinois who will transfer as a sophomore after playing in 14 games at St. Cloud State University. Prior to enrolling at St. Cloud, she competed for the 19U Windy City Storm and Chicago Young Americans AAA programs. Britt plans to study exercise science at the University of Maine.
#6 Gracie Hanson, F, Freshman
Gracie Hanson, a forward from Lakeville, Minnesota, captained Lakeville North as a junior and senior, appearing in 79 games and scoring 115 points. Hanson was recently invited to the USA Hockey Girls' National 2006 Training Camp in late July 2024, which will feature 38 players born in the class of 2006 (20 forwards, 14 defensemen and four goalies).
#15 Dani Brunette, F, Junior Transfer Student
Dani Brunette, a transfer from the University of Minnesota-Dartou, will join the Black Bears' forward corps this season. Brunette played in 43 games for the Bulldogs over her first two seasons. A native of Ham Lake, Minnesota, Brunette was selected twice to USA Hockey National Development Camps in both 2019 and 2021, where she played at Chisago Lakes High School.
#18 Frederike Voss, F, Freshman
Frederike Voss, who came to Maine from Denmark, will join Maine's forward corps this season. Voss has played in the United States the past three seasons, attending Worcester Academy for two years and most recently Shattuck St. Mary's last season. During her time at Shattuck St. Mary's, Voss recorded 48 points in 51 games and was selected to represent Denmark at the World Championships in April 2024. Voss has previously represented Denmark at the World Junior Championships.
#22 Brenna Karl, D, Freshman
Brenna Carle, a native of Bismarck, North Dakota, will join the Black Bears at defensive end this season. Carle comes to Maine after being a captain at Bismarck Century High School and scoring 30 points in 28 games last season. Brenna is the younger sister of Wisconsin women's hockey star and PWHL Minnesota draft pick Britta Carle.
#23 Stephanie Jacob, F, Freshman
Forward Stephanie Jacob hails from Winnipeg, Manitoba and played for the U18 AAA Winnipeg Ice last season. Jacob joins the Black Bears after leading the team to a provincial championship this season, recording 60 goals and 24 assists in 54 games. Jacob also played for Team Manitoba U18 this year.
#26 Kendall Sundby, D, Freshman
Kendall Sundby, a native of Hammond, Wisconsin, played the past two seasons for the Wisconsin 19U AAA team and the St. Croix Valley Fusion. Sundby was one of nine players selected to the All-State First Team, recording 33 goals and 25 assists in the regular season and seven goals and two assists in the Fusion's three playoff games. Fun Fact: Sundby's outstanding performance led her to Molly Engstrom This is the third consecutive year that Sundby has won the award, which is given to the state's best defender. He plans to study business at the University of Maine.
#33 Kia Lahtinen, G, Freshman
Kia Lahtinen joins the goalkeeper trio from Porvoo, Finland, where she previously played for the HIFK women's team. Lahtinen led the team to 16 wins, 5 losses, and 0 draws, appearing in all 16 games last season with a .933 save percentage and 1.25 goals against average. Lahtinen also played for Finland's U18 Women's World Championship team in 2019-2020, and has been playing for HIFK, Finland's top women's league since 2020.
#38 Madisyn Ryan, G, Freshman
Rounding out the Black Bears goaltender trio is Madisyn Ryan, who comes to Maine after playing in both California and Florida. A native of Norco, California, Ryan played three seasons with the Anaheim Lady Ducks before finishing her high school career with Florida Alliance 19U AAA. Last season, Ryan appeared in 25 games and recorded a .930 save percentage. Additionally, Madisyn has been selected to the USA Girls National Camp three times. Ryan plans to study Exercise Science at the University of Maine.
Tickets for the 2024-25 season are on sale now. To purchase, visit GoBlackBears.com.tickets or call the ticket office at 207-581.BEAR. For more information about Maine women's hockey season membership benefits, contact the ticket office at (207) 581-BEAR or email um.tickets@maine.edu.
-University of Maine-
