I have a story on NHL.com about the increased number of Black and biracial players in NCAA women’s hockey in 2022-23, and how several of them excelled on the ice. HERE’S THE STORY.
At least 27 players were on NCAA Division I and Division III teams this past season: Here’s a look at some of them:
Sophie Jaques, defenseman, Ohio State University (Division I).
Jaques received the 2023 Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award, presented annually to the best player in NCAA Division I women’s hockey. She’s the first Black recipient in the award’s 26-year history (Photos/Justin Wolford/WCHA)
Chayla Edwards, defense, University of Wisconsin (Division I).
Chayla Edwards won her second NCAA championship in three years.
Laila Edwards, Chayla’s younger sister, forward, University of Wisconsin (Division I). She earned received All-Western Collegiate Hockey Association All-Rookie honors in 2022-23 and was MVP at the IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship in June (Photos/David Stluka/Wisconsin Athletic Communications).
Chayla and Laila Edwards (Photo: David Stluka/Wisconsin Athletic Communications)
Jade Iginla, forward, Brown University
Jade Iginla, daughter of Hockey Hall of Famer Jarome Iginla, led Brown in scoring as a freshman and was Co-Rookie of the Year in the Eastern College Athletic Conference (Photos/Brown Athletics and Dave Silverman)
Sierra Benjamin, defense, State University of New York-Plattsburgh Division III).
Sierra Benjamin led the Northeast Women’s Hockey League in assists and defensemen in points. She was named first team All-NEWHL and first team CCM Hockey/American Hockey Coaches Association All-American for 2022-23 (Photos/ SUNY Plattsburgh Athletics).
Crystalyn Hengler, defense, University of Minnesota (Division I).
University of Minnesota defenseman Crystalyn Hengler (Photos/Jim Rosvold/University of Minnesota).
Tamara Thierus, forward, University of New Hampshire (Division I)
University of New Hampshire forward Tamara Thierus (Photos/ UNH Athletics).
Rayla Clemons, forward, Syracuse University (Division I).
Syracuse University forward Rayla Clemons (Photos/Syracuse University Athletics).
Teagan Heaslip, defense, Lindenwood University (Division I).
Lindenwood University defenseman Teagan Heaslip (Photos/Don Adams Jr.)
Kiersten Goode, forward, Yale University (Division I)
Yale University forward Kiersten Goode (Photos/Steve Musco and Yale Athletics).
Libby Plath, forward, Finlandia University (Division III).
Libby Plath of Finlandia University (Photos/Finlandia University Athletics).
Nyah Philip, forward, Renssalaer Polytechnic Institute (Division I)
Nyah Philip of Renssalaer Polytechnic Institute (Photos/RPI Athletics).
Asiah Taylor-Walters, forward, Renssalaer Polytechnic Institute (Division I).
Renssalaer Polytechnic Institute forward Asiah Taylor-Walters (Photos/RPI Athletics).
Alexa Madrid, goalie, Clarkson University (Division I).
Clarkson University goalie Alexa Madrid (Photos/Clarkson University Athletics).
Ariel Williamson, forward, Arcadia University (Division III)
Arcadia University forward Ariel Williamson (Photos/Hunter Martin Photography and Arcadia University Athletics).
Alexis Perry, forward, College of the Holy Cross (Division I)
College of the Holy Cross forward Alexis Perry (Photos: Holy Cross Athletics)
Katelyn Roberts, forward, Penn State University (Division I)
Penn State University forward Katelyn Roberts (Photos: Penn State University Athletics).
Sydney Merritt, forward, St. Anselm University (Division I).
St. Anselm University forward Sydney (Photos/ St. Anselm University Athletics)
Jamiyah Alexander, defense, Neumann University (Division III)
Neumann University defenseman Jamiyah Alexander (Photos/Neumann Athletics).
Lea Connor, forward, Trine University (Division III).
Trine University forward Lea Connor (Photos/Trine University Athletics).
Aiko Sims, forward, Wesleyan University (Division III)
Wesleyan University forward Aiko Sims University (Photos/Wesleyan Athletics).
Kailey Niccum, forward, University of Wisconsin River Falls (Division III).
University of Wisconsin River Falls forward Kailey Niccum (Photos/UWRF Athletics).
Chasity Anderson, goalie, Lawrence University (Division III)
Lawrence University goalie Chasity Anderson (Photos/Lawrence University Athletics)
Olympia Myers, defense, Anna Maria College (Division III).
Anna Maria College defenseman Olympia Myers (Photos/Anna Maria College Athletics).
Willow Poppleton, defense, Lake Forest College (Division III).
Lake Forest College defenseman Willow Poppleton (Photos/Sisi Wattanagool, Lake Forest College Sports Information).
Kensie Malone, forward, State University of New York Oswego (Division III).
State University of New York forward Kensie Malone (Photos/State University of New York Oswego Athletics).
Angeline Rasby, forward, Riviera University (Division III).
Rivier University forward Angeline Rasby (Photos/Brian Foley for Foley Photography).
Jade Ford, forward, Concordia College (Division III).
Concordia College forward Jade Ford (Photos/Concordia College Athletics).
Kiely Searless, defense, Suffolk University (Division III).
Suffolk University defenseman Kiely Searles (Photos/Suffolk University Athletics).
