The University of Minnesota Duluth women's hockey has had talent over the past few seasons, but unfortunately for the Bulldogs, there hasn't been enough depth. UMD head coach Shannon Miller announced five more Bulldog signees Thursday aimed directly at the previously pesky depth issue.
Miller and the Bulldog coaching staff have landed Swedish Olympian forwards Marie Lindh and Michelle Lowenhielm, Swedish U-18 defenseman Linnea Hedin, as well as two transfers — goal scorer Michela Cava from the University of Connecticut and Karissa Kirkup, a forward from the University of Maine.
The five will join the four November Bulldog signees, which includes three defenseman in Jessica Healey (Edmonton, Alberta), Catherine Daoust (Ile Bizard, Quebec) and Lynn Astrup (Warroad, Minnesota), along with center Alexia Klaas of Duluth, Minn.
In addition to the UMD's seven incoming freshmen and two college transfers, the Bulldogs will also regain the services of stellar defenseman Brigette Lacquette, who spent the 2013-14 season redshirt as a member of the Canadian Olympic Team centralization program.
"It will be wonderful to have Brigette back as one of our top defenseman, with her skating abilities, puck control skills and high velocity shot from the point," said Miller. "Brigette is one of the most natural skilled players to have ever played for the Bulldogs and is a threat every time she steps on the ice."
Marie Lindh - Forward - 5-9 - Stockholm, Sweden
Played for the Swedish Olympic Team this past February in Sochi, Russia…played in all six games and dished out two assists in 68:15 of total Olympic ice time as a 20 year-old…two-time U-18 Swedish World Championship team member with Sweden, finished with a bronze medal in 2010 and fifth in 2011…plays for club team MODO Ornskoldsvik and made her Swedish national team debut on August 28, 2012 against Norway.
Miller on Lindh — "Lindh is an exciting addition to our roster with her speed, goal scoring ability and compete level. Marie will be an impact player and log a great deal of ice time with our team."
Michelle Lowenhielm - Forward - 5-8 - Sollentuna, Sweden
Netted a goal and two assists for three points in six skates with the Swedish Olympic Team at the 2014 Sochi Olympic Games…logged 81:16 of Olympic ice team as a 19 year-old…has played in two World Championships with Sweden, including in 2013 and 2012…led Sweden's U-18 World Championship squad to three bronze medals in four years (2013, 2012, 2010) and a fifth place finish in 2011…suits up for the club team of AIK.
Miller on Lowenhielm — "Michelle has good size, strength and skills. She will help us produce more offensively as well as strengthen our defensive play. She is a good athlete and determined to become an impact player for this team."
Linnea Hedin - Defenseman - 5-3 - Huddings, Sweden
Represented Sweden in IIHF Women's World Championships in 2013 and 2012…has played in four U-18 World Championships with Sweden (2013, 2012, 2011, 2010), where she has tallied two goals and five assists over her tenures…has played for the Swedish club team AIK since the 2012-13 season, skating in 58 games and scoring three goals and eight assists from the blue line for 11 points.
Miller on Hedin — ""We are excited to have the speed, creativity and offensive skills of defenseman, Linnea Hedin, joining us. Linnea is a mobile, skilled defender who competes with great energy and drive."
Michela Cava - Forward - 5-4 - Thunder Bay, Ontario
Spent two seasons at the University of Connecticut, skating in 69 games and all 35 games last season as a sophomore…was tied for the team lead with 27 points, scoring 10 goals and a Huskies-high of 17 assists during the 2013-14 season…finished with the seventh-highest single season assists total in UConn program history…played for St. Ignatius of Thunder Bay prior to college and led the team to a 2012 provincial championship and silver medal at the ESSO Cup.
Miller on Cava — "We are pleased to have a goal scorer transferring in to join our team and assist us with creating a more potent offense. Michela is an exciting player and will be an impact player for us right away."
Kariss Kirkup - Forward - 5-6 - Virden, Manitoba
Appeared in 30 games in 2013-14 as a freshman for the University of Maine…wrapped up her rookie season with five goals and eight assists for 13 points for the Black Bears…skated with the Westman Wildcats before playing at Maine.
Miller on Kirkup — "Karissa is a strong two way player with good skating and puck skills accompanied with a fantastic work ethic. Karissa will be able to play with a variety of players in a variety of roles."
"We have a very exciting large group of talented players joining our team for next season," said Miller, summing up her new talent for the 2014-15 season. "This is one of strongest recruiting classes we have had in years, bringing us a lot more talent, but equally as important, finally a lot more depth. It's going to be a very exciting season as we compete with some of the best against some of the best, in the toughest league in the country. I am extremely excited about our team and next season!"
