Hello everyone, I am Giselle Velazquez from The Ice Garden welcoming you to another edition of Hockey Friday! This week I’m bringing you a little starter pack for the NCAA women’s college hockey championship weekend. Though the season is ending, there is still a chance to get to know a few players in the sport and who knows? Maybe they’ll pique your interest!
The semifinals and championship games are this weekend with the semifinals, the NCAA Frozen Four taking place today and the championship taking place on Sunday. I present five players to watch in the Frozen Four with a brief reasoning as to why.
Let’s jump in!
Annelies Bergmann — Cornell Big Red
Bergmann really is it! The 19-year-old goaltender was recently named the ECAC’s Goaltender of the Year. She’s only the second goaltender in program history to win the recognition. During the playoffs she led her team to their conference championship by allowing just one goal in the game. In the playoffs, she shut out the University of Minnesota Duluth to help Cornell advance to the Frozen Four. Bergmann is practically a brick wall in net as she has 10 shutouts this season. If you tune in to Cornell’s matchup against Ohio State University, you will likely see Bergmann showing off her great puck stopping skills.
Jocelyn Amos — Ohio State University Buckeyes
Amos is a defending national champion after winning it all with the Buckeyes last year. Only in her sophomore season, she amassed 50 points thus far on 27 goals and 23 assists including two hat tricks! She has also recorded six points in her last five games. So, what you’ll get out of tuning in to see Amos and the Buckeyes play? A lot of offense and most likely a goal — or two — from her.
Laila Edwards — University of Wisconsin Badgers
It’s not easy to find a way to describe an incredible player. Edwards became the first Black player to play for the United States senior team when she was chosen as part of Team USA during the Rivalry Series in the fall of 2023. While she normally plays the forward position with Wisconsin, with Team USA, she plays a defender role. How cool is that? She can pretty much do it all. I wonder if she can play goalie too? Edwards is one of three finalists for the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award, the recognition given to the top women’s college ice hockey player in the United States. She finished this season with 66 points in 39 total games and is looking to win the national championship after losing in the finals last season.
Abbey Murphy — University of Minnesota Golden Gophers
Maybe this is a phrase reserved only for the NBA or basketball in general, but Murphy has ice in her veins. Captain of the Gophers, Murphy is the nation’s leading scorer and has been on a tear lately as she has four multi-goal games since the playoffs began at the beginning of the month. In her career playing at Minnesota she has scored 103 goals. She will be looking for that number to go up when she faces Wisconsin for the sixth time this season in the Frozen Four. Minnesota is hosting the Frozen Four and the championship game at their home arena in Minneapolis and the last time they did so, they won it all! Home ice advantage anyone?
Makenna Webster — Ohio State Buckeyes
Yes, there are only four teams to talk about but five slots to fill and I thought number five would be something different and fun. The other players are focused on what they can do during this championship weekend, and it’s not to say Webster isn’t a good player — she is — but her skills aren’t only on the ice. Webster is a two-sport star and also plays for Ohio State’s field hockey team. (It is Hockey Friday after all!) She’s played a pivotal role in the school’s field hockey program reaching new heights, including their highest national ranking ever. She actually transferred from her original school, Wisconsin, to Ohio State with the intent to focus on both sports. She has over 100 points in the three years she’s been on the Buckeyes’ field hockey team. She was named to the U.S. National Team back in January and will represent the red, white and blue on the field. But of course, Webster is currently focused on ice hockey and will look to win another championship this weekend.
Around the hockey world
Leaving a legacy: Raice Szott and her passion for helping others — The Ice Garden
For the first time in its 30-year history, the Hockey Humanitarian Award finalists are made up of four women. The Ice Garden details one of the finalists’ journeys to building a legacy of community at her school.
2025 Patty Kazmaier Award — The case for Laila Edwards — The Victory Press
A look at why Laila Edwards could win this year’s Patty Kazmaier award. A good read if you’re new to the sport.
How Wisconsin women’s hockey’s ‘goofball’ becomes serious about pregame preparation — Badger Extra
A look at Wisconsin’s star forward Lacey Eden’s pregame warm up routine, her fun energy and a bit about her background playing for the Badgers.
Leaning into a legacy — Hockey Canada
A look at how this women’s history month a U-18 girls prep team in Canada raised donations during a theme game honoring women in sport and women in hockey who paved the way for others while also wearing pink replica Team Canada jerseys from the 1990 Women’s World Championship.
Sandra Prusina interview — Rapid City Rush
Something a little different in this last story. It is a video interview conducted by the Rapid City Rush of the ECHL with Sandra Prusina, the play-by-play announcer for the American Hockey League’s Calgary Wranglers. Prusina is one of only a handful of women working on the broadcasting side in men’s minor league hockey. It’s a great way to learn and celebrate women in hockey this women’s history month!
| Mondays: Soccer |
| By: Annie Peterson, @AnnieMPeterson, AP Women’s Soccer |
| Tuesdays: Tennis |
| By: Joey Dillon, @JoeyDillon, Freelance Tennis Writer |
| Wednesdays: Basketball |
| By: Howard Megdal, @HowardMegdal, The IX Sports |
| Thursdays: Golf |
| By: Marin Dremock, @MDremock, The IX Sports |
| Fridays: Hockey |
| By: @TheIceGarden, The Ice Garden |
| Saturdays: Gymnastics |
| By: Jessica Taylor Price, @jesstaylorprice, Freelance Writer |
