Wave after wave of talent are heading to the NCAA each season. Last year that group included NCAA Rookie of the Year Joy Dunne . This year, it's a group that features both North American and European stars either on the verge of making their respective national teams, or already there. While some of the top teams in the nation are set to get stronger, including national finalist Wisconsin who has arguably the strongest recruiting class of any team , while WCHA rivals Minnesota and Minnesota-State are both set to add high end skill as well.
Here's a look at 15 rookies to watch in NCAA women's hockey for the 2024-2025 season:
Caitlin Kraemer, F, 2006 Minnesota-Duluth
When you break a goal scoring record held by Marie-Philip Poulin, expectations will be high. That's exactly what happened with Caitlin Kraemer, who finished her two seasons of competition at the U-18 World Championships with 20 goals, crushing, Poulin's previous Canadian record of 13. Playing for the OWHL's Waterloo Ravens, Kraemer had 54 points in 31 games this season. She's the future on-ice leader of this program, but also isn't the only strong recruit heading to Minnesota-Duluth . Kraemer loves to drive to the net and is a threat off the rush.
Chloe Primerano, D, Minnesota
There just isn't another defender like her in the game. The closest you'll see is Caroline Harvey, who can dip and duck through traffic and trip up players with her own skating better than any blueliner out there. Primerano takes things to a new level with her skating, vision, and hands, and she'll be an immediate impact player in the NCAA with Minnesota . Primerano needs a challenge. At the recent U-18 series, it was obvious there was little left for her to do at that level, so competing against older and stronger competition nightly will benefit the RHA Kelowna alumni. The reigning U-18 World Championship leading scorer, Best Defender and MVP, and CSSHL MVP, Primerano had 16 points in six games for Canada at Worlds, and had 89 points in 29 games with RHA Kelowna last year.
Mira Jungaker, D, HV71, Ohio State
In Mira Jungaker, Ohio State is getting one of the best young defenders on the planet. She's played in multiple World Championships for Sweden, and believes Ohio State will help her elevate her game further . She's mobile and loves to shoot the puck, and should get plenty of opportunities with four veteran defenders from Ohio State heading to the PWHL. Jungaker should be able to contribute immediately without any growing pains.
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Emma Venusio, D, Wisconsin
You'll be hard pressed to find a more lethal and accurate point shot in the NCAA. Venusio's shot is already pro ready before she gets to college, and after captaining Team Canada at the U-18 World Championships, Venusio is ready to challenge herself against stiffer competition on Wisconsin's blueline. She looked right at home on Canada's blueline this summer with the National Development Team playing against several members of USA's senior national team.
Claire Murdoch, F, Connecticut
Hockey East fans will get to know Murdoch quickly in Connecticut as the high scoring forward will be a threat from the drop of the puck until she graduates four years from now. Murdoch will be given every opportunity to play in all situations and contribute immediately. Last season with the Burlington Barracudas, she scored 51 goals and 124 points in 42 games, and also notched more than a point per game with Canada at the U-18 World Championships. She also looked good this summer with Canada's National Development Team.
Mackenzie Alexander, F, Princeton
One of the best pure goal scorers entering the NCAA next season Alexander scored a point per game for Canada at the U-18 World Championships this year, her second time playing for Canada at the event, and represented Canada's National Development Team in a summer series against the USA. She has big shoes to fill at Princeton with Sarah Fillier moving on, but there is a plethora of skill headed to Princeton this year and next headlines by Alexander, who and won a national title with Team Ontario this year. In junior, Alexander starred for a powerhouse Etobicoke Dolphins team scoring a whopping 58 goals and 103 points in only 39 games. She's a future NCAA star.
Morgan Jackson, F, Northeastern
In terms of filling the lost offensive production of recent Northeastern graduates, Morgan Jackson is the best recruit they have. Jackson was a two-time member of Canada's U-18 national team, last year scoring nine points in six games for Canada at the tournament. With Shawnigan Lake School, Jackson had 61 points in only 23 games this season.
Reese Logan, F, Minnesota-Duluth
Who do you find to run shotgun with a player like Kraemer? Fellow U-18 Canadian national team standout Reese Logan is a good bet. Logan had four points in six games for Canada at the U-18 World Championships this year, and added 42 points in 40 games for the OWHL's Etobicoke Dolphins. She's a big forward who likes to play physical, and was far and away the OWHL's penalty minutes leader this season with 110.
Rylan Haslam, F, St. Lawrence
Ontario's OWHL has become the top junior development league in the world, and Haslam has sat near the top of the league's scoring the past two seasons combining for 194 points in 120 games. With the puck on her stick, Haslam is a potent scorer with a good release. She hasn't seen time with Canada, yet, but there are few out there with Haslam's offensive instincts.
Finley McCarthy, F, Wisconsin
A year older and stronger than most rookies coming into the NCAA this season, McCarthy will help replace the sandpaper lost with Britta Curl's departure. Don't be mistaken, she can score and produce offensively, but McCarthy also has another side to her game that will make Wisconsin harder to play against in big games. Coming from the powerhouse Bishop Kearney program, she's ready to contribute immediately.
Addison Spitz, F, Colgate
It's rare to find a goal scorer as pure as Addison Spitz. Pure and prolific to be exact. Spitz has threatened with the 100 goal mark and was the top player for Detroit's Little Caesars program. For Colgate, a school losing Danielle Serdachny this year and Kristyna Kaltounkova next year, Spitz will be given every opportunity to continue lighting the lamp.
Tuva Kandell, D, Northeastern
A strong skater, and heads up defender, Kandell has spent the last four seasons playing among some of the top players in the world in the SDHL, including last season on Frolunda where she recorded 15 points in 36 games. She's capable of playing a physical game and shutting down opponents, but can also join the play on the offensive side. Kandell was voted the Best Defender at the 2022 U-18 World Championships representing Sweden.
Maggie Scannell, F, Wisconsin
The 5-foot-10 power forward is the best forward entering the NCAA from the USA this year. She's got a powerful shot, and uses her size and speed to break open games. She could be even more impactful in the WCHA this year than Ohio State's Joy Dunne was last year. Captained USA's U-18 national team this year scoring nine points in six games, and led Shattuck to a national title notching 53 goals and 79 points in 53 games. Few can score like she does.
Gracie Graham, D, Minnesota
Not to be overlooked on Minnesota's blueline, Graham is a 5-foot-10 left shot defender who has served as Primerano's partner in Kelowna and at the World Championships. The duo play complementary styles, but Graham carries her weight on both sides of the puck. She has a big shot from the blueline, and can physically handle herself in the defensive zone.
Rose Dwyer, D, 2006, Cornell
She's big, experienced, and joins a program already staring her older sister Grace. Dwyer is mobile and played a key role in USA's gold medal win at the 2023-2024 U-18 World Championships . Not as much offense as older sister Grace, yet, but Rose's 5-foot-10 frame is an unteachable asset. Dwyer played with Bishop Kearney this year.
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