Northeastern Huskies women's ice hockey
Encyclopedia
The women's varsity hockey program started in 1980, and under former World Hockey Association
all-star goaltender Don McLeod
, who was named the coach the following season and led the program for ten seasons, became the first national power in collegiate women's hockey. Starting in the 1982 season, the lady Huskies had thirteen consecutive winning seasons, including six straight seasons of twenty or more wins between 1987 and 1992.
The program's best record was in 1988, when the undefeated squad finished 26-0-1, winning its first of three ECAC titles (the others coming in 1989 and 1997), at the time the effective national women's college championship. Northeastern has also been the ECAC finalist seven times, as well as winning fourteen women's Beanpot tournaments, including eight straight between 1984 and 1991. The Huskies' all-time best mark for wins was in 1997 with 27, a total equaled in 1992.
The program's career scoring leader is Hillary Witt
with 113 goals and 95 assists for 208 points, while Fiona Rice is the career assists leader with 118. The single-season goal and points leader is Vicky Sunohara
, with 51 goals and 78 points in 1989.
Boston University’s first ever goal was scored in a game against Northeastern. It was scored by Caroline Boudreau on Oct. 7, 2005. On January 8, 2010, the Huskies fell to New Hampshire by a score of 5-3 in the opening game of the Sun Life Frozen Fenway doubleheader, the first-ever outdoor women's college hockey game. The Huskies held a 3-1 lead into the third period, but a four goal rally by the Wildcats earned them the win. Freshman Brittany Esposito scored two goals and senior Annie Hogan added two assists. The game was played at Fenway Park
.
On November 21, 2010, Katie McSorley recorded her first career hat trick and added two assists as the Huskies prevailed by a 5-1 tally over the Providence Friars. The hat trick was the first hat trick for a Northeastern player since Julia Marty
in 2008. It was also the first five point game by a Husky since Chelsey Jones tallied five points against Maine on Dec. 3, 2006.
Freshman Rachel Llanes scored the first and last goal of the game in Northeastern’s 4-0 win over New Hampshire with six shots on goal on December 1, 2010. It was her first-ever multi-goal game. Another freshman, Katie MacSorley scored a goal in the 4-0 win over New Hampshire. Florence Schelling
made 22 saves for her third shutout of the season. With the win, Northeastern snapped a 27-game unbeaten streak (0-26-1) against New Hampshire. Their last win over New Hampshire was Jan. 21, 2001, a 2-1 win. In addition, the fact that it was a shutout victory marks the first over UNH in the history of the program.
In Witt's sophomore season she led the team in scoring once again with 32 goals, and her 58 points (ranked in the nation's top 10). She was a nominee for the Patty Kazmaier Award. She was also voted All-ECAC. The team went 26-6-5 and qualified for the ECAC Tournament and the semifinals of the first ever women's hockey National Championship.
As a junior, Witt led NU with 27 goals, and was in the nation's top 10 in scoring. Once again, she was a Kazmaier nominee. The team went 25-7-3 and went onto the ECAC Tournament. Witt captained Northeastern's 1999-2000 team to a 22-9-3 season and another post-season appearance. She led NU in scoring with 30 goals for the fourth consecutive year. In terms of scoring, was in the nation's top 10, and was voted All-ECAC. Also, for the third year in a row she was a Kazmaier candidate. On February 10, 2010, she was inducted into the Women's Beanpot Hall of Fame. The induction honors her performance as a player for Northeastern in the annual tournament featuring the four Boston-area women's hockey teams. The ceremony was held prior to the Beanpot Championship game at Harvard's Bright Center.
; goaltender Kelly Dyer
, the second woman to play professional ice hockey in North America; starting United States national team goaltender Chanda Gunn
, ten-time United States national team member and Olympic gold medalist Shelley Looney
, 2002 collegiate women's player of the year
Brooke Whitney
and multiple Olympic medalist Laura Schuler
.
In addition, the following Huskies have played on the United States national team: Tina Cardinale
, Jeanine Sobek, Brooke White
, Kim Haman, Hillary Witt
and Erika Silva. Current sophomore Florence Schelling
has been the goaltender of the Switzerland
national team for the past five seasons.
World Hockey Association
The World Hockey Association was a professional ice hockey league that operated in North America from 1972 to 1979. It was the first major competition for the National Hockey League since the collapse of the Western Hockey League in 1926...
all-star goaltender Don McLeod
Don McLeod
Donald Martin "Smokey" McLeod is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who played briefly in the National Hockey League and 6 full seasons in the World Hockey Association....
, who was named the coach the following season and led the program for ten seasons, became the first national power in collegiate women's hockey. Starting in the 1982 season, the lady Huskies had thirteen consecutive winning seasons, including six straight seasons of twenty or more wins between 1987 and 1992.
The program's best record was in 1988, when the undefeated squad finished 26-0-1, winning its first of three ECAC titles (the others coming in 1989 and 1997), at the time the effective national women's college championship. Northeastern has also been the ECAC finalist seven times, as well as winning fourteen women's Beanpot tournaments, including eight straight between 1984 and 1991. The Huskies' all-time best mark for wins was in 1997 with 27, a total equaled in 1992.
The program's career scoring leader is Hillary Witt
Hillary Witt
Hilary Witt is the head coach of the Yale Bulldogs women’s hockey team. Witt is a member of the Massachusetts Hockey Hall of Fame and Northeastern's Hall of Fame.-Playing career:...
with 113 goals and 95 assists for 208 points, while Fiona Rice is the career assists leader with 118. The single-season goal and points leader is Vicky Sunohara
Vicky Sunohara
Vicky Sunohara is a three-time Olympian and is known as one of Canada's all-time most popular female ice hockey players. She was once considered to be the best female ice hockey player in the world and was described as the "Wayne Gretzky of women's hockey"...
, with 51 goals and 78 points in 1989.
History
In the 2003-04 season, Chanda Gunn was in her senior season led the Huskies to eight wins. In doing so, she broke two school records: registering 56 saves in a game and twice recording 23 saves in one period. In addition, she finished the season ranked first nationally in save percentage, with a .940 mark, and tenth in the nation with a 1.94 goals-against average. During the season, she was recognized twice as Hockey East Player of the Month. She ranked first in the conference in save percentage (.937) and third in goals-against average with a 2.01 GAA. During her career, Gunn was a finalists for College Hockey's Humanitarian Award, presented annually to college hockey's finest citizen, in 2003 and 2004.Boston University’s first ever goal was scored in a game against Northeastern. It was scored by Caroline Boudreau on Oct. 7, 2005. On January 8, 2010, the Huskies fell to New Hampshire by a score of 5-3 in the opening game of the Sun Life Frozen Fenway doubleheader, the first-ever outdoor women's college hockey game. The Huskies held a 3-1 lead into the third period, but a four goal rally by the Wildcats earned them the win. Freshman Brittany Esposito scored two goals and senior Annie Hogan added two assists. The game was played at Fenway Park
Fenway Park
Fenway Park is a baseball park near Kenmore Square in Boston, Massachusetts. Located at 4 Yawkey Way, it has served as the home ballpark of the Boston Red Sox baseball club since it opened in 1912, and is the oldest Major League Baseball stadium currently in use. It is one of two "classic"...
.
On November 21, 2010, Katie McSorley recorded her first career hat trick and added two assists as the Huskies prevailed by a 5-1 tally over the Providence Friars. The hat trick was the first hat trick for a Northeastern player since Julia Marty
Julia Marty
Julia Marty is a member of the Switzerland women's national ice hockey team and also plays for Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts. Her twin sister, Stefanie, played at the University of New Hampshire in 2007-08.-Playing career:Marty played for the University of New Hampshire in the...
in 2008. It was also the first five point game by a Husky since Chelsey Jones tallied five points against Maine on Dec. 3, 2006.
Freshman Rachel Llanes scored the first and last goal of the game in Northeastern’s 4-0 win over New Hampshire with six shots on goal on December 1, 2010. It was her first-ever multi-goal game. Another freshman, Katie MacSorley scored a goal in the 4-0 win over New Hampshire. Florence Schelling
Florence Schelling
Florence Schelling played for Switzerland women's national ice hockey team in the 2006 Winter Olympics and 2010 Winter Olympics. Schelling became the first and only woman to ever play in the Swiss Men's National B League.-Switzerland:...
made 22 saves for her third shutout of the season. With the win, Northeastern snapped a 27-game unbeaten streak (0-26-1) against New Hampshire. Their last win over New Hampshire was Jan. 21, 2001, a 2-1 win. In addition, the fact that it was a shutout victory marks the first over UNH in the history of the program.
Year by year
| Year | Wins | Losses | Ties | Coach | Postseason |
| 2008-09 | 12 | 20 | 3 | Dave Flint | |
| 2007-08 | 7 | 24 | 3 | Laura Schuler Laura Schuler Laura Schuler was a member of the 1998 Canadian women’s Olympic hockey team.-Playing career:Schuler played six sports in high school. She was captain of the volleyball, field hockey, ice hockey, and soccer teams. She earned MVP awards in field hockey, ice hockey and soccer. Schuler won three... |
|
| 2006-07 | 5 | 26 | 2 | Laura Schuler | |
| 2005-06 | 8 | 24 | 1 | Laura Schuler | |
| 2004-05 | 3 | 25 | 4 | Laura Schuler | |
| 2003-04 | 13 | 13 | 8 | Joy Woog | |
| 2002-03 | 9 | 18 | 4 | Joy Woog | |
| 2001-02 | 27 | 7 | 1 | Joy Woog |
Beanpot
The Huskies have qualified for the Beanpot finals on several occasions:- March 17, 1979: Northeastern 3, Boston College 1
- February 24, 1980: Northeastern 7, Harvard 1
- February 18, 1983: Northeastern 7, Harvard 1
- February 17, 1984: Northeastern 7, Harvard 1
- February 12, 1985: Northeastern 7, Boston College 0
- February 11, 1986: Northeastern 7, Harvard 0
- February 10, 1987: Northeastern 7, Harvard 1
- February 9, 1988: Northeastern 5, Harvard 1
- February 14, 1989: Northeastern 9, Harvard 0
- February 13, 1990: Northeastern 3, Harvard 2
- February 12, 1991: Northeastern 2, Harvard 1
- February 11, 1992: Harvard 3, Northeastern 0
- February 9, 1993: Brown 3, Northeastern 0
- February 15, 1994: Northeastern 6, Harvard 2
- February 14, 1995: Harvard 3, Northeastern 2
- February 13, 1996: Northeastern 4, Boston College 3 (OT)
- February 11, 1997: Northeastern 8, Harvard 1
- February 10, 1998: Northeastern 5, Harvard 4
- February 15, 2000: Harvard 4, Northeastern 3 (OT)
Hilary Witt
Witt came to Northeastern University in 1996 with a strong athletic resume from Canton High School in Canton, Massachusetts. In hockey she played on the Assabet Valley Club team for four years while they won two National Championships. In her freshman year, she helped the Huskies to a 27-9 season and the 1997 ECAC Championship. Witt scored two goals, including the game winner, in the 3-2 title win over New Hampshire and as a rookie was named the tournament MVP. She led the team in scoring that season with 24 goals.In Witt's sophomore season she led the team in scoring once again with 32 goals, and her 58 points (ranked in the nation's top 10). She was a nominee for the Patty Kazmaier Award. She was also voted All-ECAC. The team went 26-6-5 and qualified for the ECAC Tournament and the semifinals of the first ever women's hockey National Championship.
As a junior, Witt led NU with 27 goals, and was in the nation's top 10 in scoring. Once again, she was a Kazmaier nominee. The team went 25-7-3 and went onto the ECAC Tournament. Witt captained Northeastern's 1999-2000 team to a 22-9-3 season and another post-season appearance. She led NU in scoring with 30 goals for the fourth consecutive year. In terms of scoring, was in the nation's top 10, and was voted All-ECAC. Also, for the third year in a row she was a Kazmaier candidate. On February 10, 2010, she was inducted into the Women's Beanpot Hall of Fame. The induction honors her performance as a player for Northeastern in the annual tournament featuring the four Boston-area women's hockey teams. The ceremony was held prior to the Beanpot Championship game at Harvard's Bright Center.
Notable alums
Among notable players for Northeastern have been current Canadian national team captain Vicky SunoharaVicky Sunohara
Vicky Sunohara is a three-time Olympian and is known as one of Canada's all-time most popular female ice hockey players. She was once considered to be the best female ice hockey player in the world and was described as the "Wayne Gretzky of women's hockey"...
; goaltender Kelly Dyer
Kelly Dyer
Kelly Dyer is a member of the Northeastern University athletics Hall of Fame, and a former ice hockey goaltender for the United States women's national ice hockey team.-Youth:...
, the second woman to play professional ice hockey in North America; starting United States national team goaltender Chanda Gunn
Chanda Gunn
Chanda Leigh Gunn is an American ice hockey player. She won a bronze medal at the 2006 Winter Olympics. At the games in Turin, she played close to 250 minutes and had 50 saves with a save percentage of 89.3%.-Northeastern:In the 2003-04 season, Chanda Gunn was in her senior season led the Huskies...
, ten-time United States national team member and Olympic gold medalist Shelley Looney
Shelley Looney
Shelley Looney is an American ice hockey player. She won a gold medal at the 1998 Winter Olympics and a silver medal at the 2002 Winter Olympics. Looney played collegiately at Northeastern University from 1991–94, winning multiple awards including ECAC All-Star, 1993 ECAC Tournament MVP and ECAC...
, 2002 collegiate women's player of the year
Patty Kazmaier Award
The Patty Kazmaier Award is given to the top woman college ice hockey player in the United States. The award is presented during the women's annual ice hockey championship, the Frozen Four...
Brooke Whitney
Brooke Whitney
Brooke Whitney was an ice hockey player for the Northeastern Huskies. In 2002, she was awarded the Patty Kazmaier Award.-Playing career:...
and multiple Olympic medalist Laura Schuler
Laura Schuler
Laura Schuler was a member of the 1998 Canadian women’s Olympic hockey team.-Playing career:Schuler played six sports in high school. She was captain of the volleyball, field hockey, ice hockey, and soccer teams. She earned MVP awards in field hockey, ice hockey and soccer. Schuler won three...
.
In addition, the following Huskies have played on the United States national team: Tina Cardinale
Tina Cardinale
Tina Cardinale-Beauchemin is a member of the Northeastern University athletics Hall of Fame. Cardinale was elected in 2002 for her excellence in women's ice hockey. Cardinale was also a pioneer as a member of the first ever United States Women's National Hockey Team where she was captain.During her...
, Jeanine Sobek, Brooke White
Brooke White
Brooke Elizabeth White is an American indie pop/folk-pop singer-songwriter and actress from Mesa, Arizona who was the fifth place finalist on the seventh season of American Idol. In 2005, White released her first studio album, called Songs from the Attic.White's first post-Idol album High Hopes &...
, Kim Haman, Hillary Witt
Hillary Witt
Hilary Witt is the head coach of the Yale Bulldogs women’s hockey team. Witt is a member of the Massachusetts Hockey Hall of Fame and Northeastern's Hall of Fame.-Playing career:...
and Erika Silva. Current sophomore Florence Schelling
Florence Schelling
Florence Schelling played for Switzerland women's national ice hockey team in the 2006 Winter Olympics and 2010 Winter Olympics. Schelling became the first and only woman to ever play in the Swiss Men's National B League.-Switzerland:...
has been the goaltender of the Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
national team for the past five seasons.
Olympians
| Player | Position | Nationality | Event | Result |
| Chanda Gunn Chanda Gunn Chanda Leigh Gunn is an American ice hockey player. She won a bronze medal at the 2006 Winter Olympics. At the games in Turin, she played close to 250 minutes and had 50 saves with a save percentage of 89.3%.-Northeastern:In the 2003-04 season, Chanda Gunn was in her senior season led the Huskies... |
Goaltender | 2006 Winter Olympics | Bronze | |
| Stefanie Marty | Forward | 2010 Winter Olympics | ||
| Karen Nystrom Karen Nystrom Karen Nystrom was a member of the 1998 Canadian National women's team that participated in ice hockey at the 1998 Winter Olympics.-Playing career:... |
Forward | 1998 Winter Olympics | Silver | |
| Florence Schelling Florence Schelling Florence Schelling played for Switzerland women's national ice hockey team in the 2006 Winter Olympics and 2010 Winter Olympics. Schelling became the first and only woman to ever play in the Swiss Men's National B League.-Switzerland:... |
Goaltender | 2010 Winter Olympics | ||
| Laura Schuler Laura Schuler Laura Schuler was a member of the 1998 Canadian women’s Olympic hockey team.-Playing career:Schuler played six sports in high school. She was captain of the volleyball, field hockey, ice hockey, and soccer teams. She earned MVP awards in field hockey, ice hockey and soccer. Schuler won three... |
Forward | 1998 Winter Olympics | Silver | |
| Vicky Sunohara Vicky Sunohara Vicky Sunohara is a three-time Olympian and is known as one of Canada's all-time most popular female ice hockey players. She was once considered to be the best female ice hockey player in the world and was described as the "Wayne Gretzky of women's hockey"... |
Forward | 1998 Winter Olympics | Silver | |
| Vicky Sunohara | Forward | 2002 Winter Olympics | Gold | |
Awards and honors
- Kim Greene, Defense, 2001-02 New England Hockey Writers Women's Division I All-Star Team
- Chanda GunnChanda GunnChanda Leigh Gunn is an American ice hockey player. She won a bronze medal at the 2006 Winter Olympics. At the games in Turin, she played close to 250 minutes and had 50 saves with a save percentage of 89.3%.-Northeastern:In the 2003-04 season, Chanda Gunn was in her senior season led the Huskies...
, 2004 Finalist for Patty Kazmaier Award - Chanda Gunn, Top 10 Finalist for the 2002 Patty Kazmaier Memorial Awards
- Chanda Gunn, Top 10 Finalist for the 2003 Patty Kazmaier Memorial Awards
- Chanda Gunn, Finalist for College Hockey's Humanitarian Award (2003)
- Chanda Gunn, Finalist for College Hockey's Humanitarian Award (2002)
- Chanda Gunn, Goaltender, 2001-02 New England Hockey Writers Women's Division I All-Star Team
- Chanda Gunn, 2003-04 Hockey East Three Stars Award
- Chanda Gunn, 2003-04 Hockey East Player of the Year
- Kristi Kehoe, 2007-08 Hockey East All-Rookie team
- Katie MacSorley, Northeastern Student-Athlete of the week for Sept. 27-Oct. 3.
- Florence Schelling, Defensive Player of the Week (Week of October 5, 2009)
- Florence Schelling, Hockey East Defensive Player of the Week on Oct. 12, 2009
- Florence Schelling, Hockey East Defensive Player of the Week on Nov. 2, 2009
- Florence Schelling, Hockey East Co-Defensive Player of the Week on Nov. 9, 2009
- Florence Schelling, Hockey East Defensive Player of the Week for third consecutive week Nov. 16, 2009
- Florence Schelling, Defensive Player of the Week honors Nov. 30, 2009
- Florence SchellingFlorence SchellingFlorence Schelling played for Switzerland women's national ice hockey team in the 2006 Winter Olympics and 2010 Winter Olympics. Schelling became the first and only woman to ever play in the Swiss Men's National B League.-Switzerland:...
– Northeastern, Bauer Goaltender of the Month, October 2009 - Florence Schelling – Northeastern, Bauer Goaltender of the Month, November 2009
- Florence Schelling, 2010 Hockey East Co-Player of the Year
- Florence Schelling, 2010 New England Hockey Writers All-Star Team
- Florence Schelling, 2010 Women's RBK Hockey Division I All-America Second Team
- Leah Sulyma, 2007-08 Hockey East All-Rookie team
- Leah Sulyma, Hockey East Defensive Player of the Week (Week of February 8, 2010)
- Jaime Totten, 1999 Sarah Devens AwardSarah Devens AwardThe Sarah Devens Award is given as a joint award between the ECAC Hockey and Hockey East conferences to a women’s ice hockey player. The criteria for the Devens Award is for a player who demonstrates leadership and commitment both on and off the ice. Both conferences submitted a league nominee for...
- Jamie Totten, 1999 American Women's College Hockey Alliance All-Americans, Second Team
- Kathryn Waldo, 1997 Sarah Devens AwardSarah Devens AwardThe Sarah Devens Award is given as a joint award between the ECAC Hockey and Hockey East conferences to a women’s ice hockey player. The criteria for the Devens Award is for a player who demonstrates leadership and commitment both on and off the ice. Both conferences submitted a league nominee for...
- Brooke WhiteBrooke WhiteBrooke Elizabeth White is an American indie pop/folk-pop singer-songwriter and actress from Mesa, Arizona who was the fifth place finalist on the seventh season of American Idol. In 2005, White released her first studio album, called Songs from the Attic.White's first post-Idol album High Hopes &...
, Forward, 2001-02 New England Hockey Writers Women's Division I All-Star Team - Brooke WhitneyBrooke WhitneyBrooke Whitney was an ice hockey player for the Northeastern Huskies. In 2002, she was awarded the Patty Kazmaier Award.-Playing career:...
, Forward, 2001-02 New England Hockey Writers Women's Division I All-Star Team - Brooke Whitney, 2002 Patty Kazmaier Award winner
- Joy Woog, 2003-04 Hockey East Coach of the Year
Beanpot awards
- Most Valuable Player award
- 1979 Diane DerBogoshian (Northeastern)
- 1980 Diane Sorrenti (Northeastern)
- 1984 Stephanie Kelly (Northeastern)
- 1985 Tracy Hill (Northeastern)
- 1986 Nina Koyama (Northeastern)
- 1987 Fiona Rice (Northeastern)
- 1988 Tina Cardinale (Northeastern)
- 1989 Vicky Sunohara (Northeastern)
- 1990 Julie Piacentini (Northeastern)
- 1993 Kim Haman (Northeastern)
- 1994 Shelley Looney (Northeastern)
- 1996 Jessica Wagner (Northeastern)
- 1997 Stephanie Acres (Northeastern)
- 1998 Lisa Giovanelli (Northeastern)
- Bertagna Award (top goalie)
- 2000 Erika Silva (Northeastern)
- 2001 Erika Silva (Northeastern)
- Hall of Fame
- Diane DerBoghosian (Inducted in 2008)
- Julie Pacientini (Inducted in 2009)
- Kathryn Waldo (Inducted in 2011)
- Hilary Witt (Inducted in 2010)
Huskies in professional hockey
| Player | Team | League |
| Brooke White-Lancette Brooke White-Lancette Brooke White is a women's professional ice hockey player and co-founder of the Minnesota Whitecaps of the Western Women's Hockey League, as well as a hockey skills coach .... |
Minnesota Whitecaps Minnesota Whitecaps The Minnesota Whitecaps are a professional women's ice hockey team in the Western Women's Hockey League . The team play its home games in the Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota area... |
WWHL Western Women's Hockey League The Western Women's Hockey League is one of two major women's hockey leagues in Canada. The league was established in 2004, and consisted of teams in Canada and one from the United States... |
| Karen Nystrom Karen Nystrom Karen Nystrom was a member of the 1998 Canadian National women's team that participated in ice hockey at the 1998 Winter Olympics.-Playing career:... |
Brampton Thunder Brampton Thunder The Brampton Canadettes-Thunder is an ice hockey team in the Canadian Women's Hockey League. The Canadettes-Thunder play its home games at the Powerade Centre in Brampton, Ontario.-Team history:... |
CWHL |
| Vicky Sunohara Vicky Sunohara Vicky Sunohara is a three-time Olympian and is known as one of Canada's all-time most popular female ice hockey players. She was once considered to be the best female ice hockey player in the world and was described as the "Wayne Gretzky of women's hockey"... |
Brampton Thunder Brampton Thunder The Brampton Canadettes-Thunder is an ice hockey team in the Canadian Women's Hockey League. The Canadettes-Thunder play its home games at the Powerade Centre in Brampton, Ontario.-Team history:... |
CWHL Canadian Women's Hockey League The Canadian Women's Hockey League is one of two major women's ice hockey leagues in Canada. The league was founded in 2007. The league currently has six ice hockey teams: three in Ontario, one in Quebec, one in Alberta and one in Boston, Massachusetts.... |