Bulldogs Welcome Minnesota Whitecaps for Exhibition Opener

The UMD women’s hockey team takes the ice for their first game of the 2016-2017 season this weekend with an exhibition match-up.

After a challenging 2015- 2016 that saw the Bulldogs finish with a 15-20-1 record, the Bulldogs will take on the Minnesota Whitecaps on Sept. 24.

The Whitecaps are a women’s professional hockey team made up of players who formerly played as members of various college teams.

The Whitecaps’ squad includes Duluth natives Ashley Birdsall and Amy Stech as well as Duluth native and former Bulldog Emma Stauber. Also on the roster is former Bulldog Jenny Potter, who coached Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) opponent Ohio State University in 2015-2016.

The Returners:

The Bulldogs have a strong returning squad for the 2016-2017 season. Ashleigh Brykaliuk and Lara Stalder, who led the Bulldogs last season with 47 and 41 points respectively, return for their senior seasons. The Bulldogs also return an experienced defensive group led by senior Sidney Morin and junior Catherine Daoust.

New Blood:

Along with the many returning members,the Bulldogs are bringing in five new freshman players for this season’s team.

Forwards Lauren Niska, Brooklyn Schugel and Sydney Brodt hope to help contribute on offense as the Bulldogs third-best scorer last season, Michela Cava, has graduated. Defender Jalyn Elmes and goaltender Catherine Johnson round out the list of incoming Bulldogs.

While the exhibition game won’t count for any WCHA points it will be an opportunity for the Bulldogs to get on the ice and see some in-game action before their home opener against Boston College on Sept. 30.

Puck drop for Saturday’s matchup between the Whitecaps and Bulldogs is at 4 p.m. at Amsoil Arena. Tickets are free for UMD students while prices vary for the general public.