Four incoming freshmen on the women’s ice hockey team have taken a detour on their way to Huntington Avenue: The 2006 USA Hockey Select Player Development Camps in Lake Placid, N.Y.
The camp, which was held June 24-30, comprised of the best 17- and 18-year-old women in the country. It was one of many camps hosted around the country by USA Hockey, which hosts camps for boys ages 14 to 17 and girls ages 14 to 18.
The bright future of Northeastern’s women’s program was on display in Lake Placid, a testament to coach Laura Schuler’s recruiting.
“These are the kids we’re really excited about,” Schuler said.
At the camp, players were divided into eight teams for a week of non-stop hockey. Forward Chelsey Jones was pivotal for the first place Teal team, netting two goals. Jones will enter Northeastern from Stillwater High School in Lake Elmo, Minn. after receiving praise including multiple player of the year honors and a Ms. Hockey top-five finalist award.
Jones will be a solid addition for the Husky frontline, which already includes team points leader sophomore Nikki Petrich and a rejuvenated Amy Goodney, former Hockey East All-star honorable mention and team captain who missed a large part of last season due to injuries.
Other forwards include Lindsey Berman and Annie Hogan, who both played for the Gold team. Berman finished sixth in scoring at the camp with seven points overall on four goals and three assists. While playing for the Midwest Elite Hockey League she earned All-league second team honors. Berman hails from Odenton, Md.
Last is local Medford player, Annie Hogan, who scored six points on two goals and four assists in Lake Placid. She played prep hockey for Assabet Valley and Lawrence Academy.
“I think they’re all great players, but you won’t know what they’ll do until they get here,” Schuler said. “Jones and Bermen are good scorers and Nikki is a play maker who sees the ice really well and can play with either one of them. Both Bermen and Jones with Nikki will be good for us.”
The defense should receive a large boost from Katy Applin, who played for the second place Gold team. Applin scored six points on two goals and four assists, leading all defensemen in the past two seasons and was named to the All-Midwest Elite Hockey League first team last season.
“Applin will start right away.” Schuler said. “She’s very offensive oriented and I think she’ll have a huge impact and it will be great to have her taking the puck out of our zone.”
Schuler got these four on board the Husky train early, signing them in November. Other players who signed early include Ginny Berg of Sterling, Alaska and the North American Hockey Academy, and Julia Clark, another New Englander from Westford who played for Cushing Academy.
The roster is incomplete however, Schuler is waiting to announce the entire line-up later this month.
“This class is done, we have some walk-ons so we’ll see how they do,” she said.
