Wisconsin Women's Hockey 2024-2025

[BadgerPete]

First a comment on this season’s roster.

In her bio, Finley McCarthy lists the “impressionable coaches” as one of her reasons for choosing the Badgers. Hopefully this is a mistyping of what she said. Certainly, she did impress the Badger coaches as well as those of other teams. And I suspect she found the Badger coaches impressive as well. On to my other issue.

According to my numbers for rosters through 27-28, the addition of Haley Box to the 26-27 roster raises the possibility the Badgers’ roster for both the 25-26 and 27-28 season will exceed the NCAA limit of 26 players. The 25-26 situation would be alleviated if the Badgers incur the usual Olympic team “draft”. The 26-27 season could change from redshirts or players exiting for the PWHL draft or the portal. Another answer for my dilemma, my preference, is my numbers are wrong.

Your numbers are way off of mine then. I have 25 for 25-26 (if Eden uses the Covid year), and 24 for 26-27.

[Timothy A]

Your numbers are way off of mine then. I have 25 for 25-26 (if Eden uses the Covid year), and 24 for 26-27.

I have 24 for 26-26 and 22 for 26-27. How can we be off so far?

[BadgerPete]

I have 24 for 26-26 and 22 for 26-27. How can we be off so far?

Here's everyone I have down and their current (with caveats) final year

24-25 Graduates - O'Brien, Wozniewicz, Picard* (RS Jr), Kotlowski, Kuntz, Eden* (Potential COVID Year)
25-26 Graduates - Simms, Zilisch, Edwards, Jungels, Harvey
26-27 Graduates - Enright, Hall, K. Gorbatenko, Potter, Murphy, McNaughton, Baker, Vassuer* (listed as a soph on the website but didn't play last year)
27-28 Graduates - Scannell, Halverson, McCarthy, Venusio, Bickett
28-29 Graduates - Sapavalivova, Pieckenhagen, N. Gorbatenko, R. Gorbatenko, Jones, Stewart
29-30 Graduates - Lopusanova, Kimbrel, Box, Beaudette, Cerruti, Tremblay

[Bonzo]

Here's everyone I have down and their current (with caveats) final year

24-25 Graduates - O'Brien, Wozniewicz, Picard, Kotlowski, Kuntz, Eden* (Potential COVID Year)
25-26 Graduates - Simms, Zilisch, Edwards, Jungels, Harvey
26-27 Graduates - Enright, Hall, K. Gorbatenko, Potter, Murphy, McNaughton, Baker, Vassuer* (listed as a soph on the website but didn't play last year)
27-28 Graduates - Scannell, Halverson, McCarthy, Venusio, Bickett
28-29 Graduates - Sapavalivova, Pieckenhagen, N. Gorbatenko, R. Gorbatenko, Jones, Stewart
29-30 Graduates - Lopusanova, Kimbrel, Box, Beaudette, Cerruti

Marianne Picard is a redshirt JR this year so she could conceivably return next year.

[Timothy A]

Marianne Picard is a redshirt JR this year so she could conceivably return next year.

I was missing Zilisch all together and I missed Enright for 25/26, so I am at 26 for next year with Eden. 15F 8D 3G

[Patricio]

My roster numbers and concerns are derived from the lists below.

25-26: Graduated: Koslowski, O’Brien, Wozniewicz. Kuntz.
Returning: Eden, Picard, Harvey, Simms, Edwards, Enright, Baker, Zilisch, Jungels, Potter, Murphy, McNaughton, Vasseur, Hall, K Gorbatenko, McCarthy, Venusio, Halverson, Scannell, Bickett, Zilisch. This gives 21 returning players. There are 7 incoming recruits which brings the total number to 28, two over the NCAA limit that takes effect with this season.

But this season spans the 26 Winter Olympics and, if the past is any guide, the Badgers likely will have a number of players “drafted”. I anticipate the loss of Harvey, Simms, Edwards, and possibly Eden and Jungels. If only two are drafted, this would bring the Badgers roster down to the maximum allowed of 26. Šapovalivova is another possible loss to the Czechia Olympic team which would give the Badgers a little more slack. Losing any of them would be impactful, but the incoming class of recruits looks strong enough to offer sufficient strength for the Badgers to remain a difficult opponent for anyone else. In any event, the Badgers need to “lose” at least 2 players.

Notes: Picard’s year would be her redshirt from injury early Iin her 1^st.year. She could decide not to use it. Baker could decide to transfer as this would be her final year of eligibility and it appears likely that her playing time would be very limited since this will be Stewart’s first year and Stewart is a somewhat highly regarded goalie. If Eden is not drafted for the Olympics, she could return for a final year or possibly declare for the WPHL draft. If any of these were to occur, Bucky would be within the NCAA limit. I also am assuming that Canada doesn’t draft Vesuvio or Murphy as my impression (ala Watts) is they rely on more experienced players for their Olympics team.

26-27: Graduated: Baker, Zilisch, Picard. Possibly Eden and Jungels.
Returning: Harvey, Simms, Edwards, Enright, Potter, Murphy, McNaughton, Vasseur, Hall, K Gorbatenko, McCarthy, Venusio, Halverson, Scannell, Bickett, Pieckenhagen, Šapovalivova,
Stewart, Jones, R Gorbatenko, N Gorbatenko, and Baudette.

Notes; The 4 incoming recruits, among them Lopusanova, again look like a strong group. If Eden and Jungels have exhausted their eligibilities, the roster will remain at the NCAA limit and all will be fine.


In summary, my numbers are:
24-25: 25
25-26: 22-28 depending on impact of Olympics draft and departures (see Notes above)
26-27: 27 which may drop if someone has an injury redshirt or just takes one, leaves Vivia portal or WPHL draft

PS. I may be wrong on of some of the annual numbers. Wouldn't be the first time,

[BadgerPete]

My roster numbers and concerns are derived from the lists below.

25-26: Graduated: Koslowski, O’Brien, Wozniewicz. Kuntz.
Returning: Eden, Picard, Harvey, Simms, Edwards, Enright, Baker, Zilisch, Jungels, Potter, Murphy, McNaughton, Vasseur, Hall, K Gorbatenko, McCarthy, Venusio, Halverson, Scannell, Bickett, Zilisch. This gives 21 returning players. There are 7 incoming recruits which brings the total number to 28, two over the NCAA limit that takes effect with this season.

But this season spans the 26 Winter Olympics and, if the past is any guide, the Badgers likely will have a number of players “drafted”. I anticipate the loss of Harvey, Simms, Edwards, and possibly Eden and Jungels. If only two are drafted, this would bring the Badgers roster down to the maximum allowed of 26. Šapovalivova is another possible loss to the Czechia Olympic team which would give the Badgers a little more slack. Losing any of them would be impactful, but the incoming class of recruits looks strong enough to offer sufficient strength for the Badgers to remain a difficult opponent for anyone else. In any event, the Badgers need to “lose” at least 2 players.

Notes: Picard’s year would be her redshirt from injury early Iin her 1^st.year. She could decide not to use it. Baker could decide to transfer as this would be her final year of eligibility and it appears likely that her playing time would be very limited since this will be Stewart’s first year and Stewart is a somewhat highly regarded goalie. If Eden is not drafted for the Olympics, she could return for a final year or possibly declare for the WPHL draft. If any of these were to occur, Bucky would be within the NCAA limit. I also am assuming that Canada doesn’t draft Vesuvio or Murphy as my impression (ala Watts) is they rely on more experienced players for their Olympics team.

26-27: Graduated: Baker, Zilisch, Picard. Possibly Eden and Jungels.
Returning: Harvey, Simms, Edwards, Enright, Potter, Murphy, McNaughton, Vasseur, Hall, K Gorbatenko, McCarthy, Venusio, Halverson, Scannell, Bickett, Pieckenhagen, Šapovalivova,
Stewart, Jones, R Gorbatenko, N Gorbatenko, and Baudette.

Notes; The 4 incoming recruits, among them Lopusanova, again look like a strong group. If Eden and Jungels have exhausted their eligibilities, the roster will remain at the NCAA limit and all will be fine.


In summary, my numbers are:
24-25: 25
25-26: 22-28 depending on impact of Olympics draft and departures (see Notes above)
26-27: 27 which may drop if someone has an injury redshirt or just takes one, leaves Vivia portal or WPHL draft

PS. I may be wrong on of some of the annual numbers. Wouldn't be the first time,

You have Zilisch listed twice in returning players and you have Beaudette in the wrong class. She's in the 26-27 class: https://x.com/ToddMilewski/status/1836033392686592147

Right now we'd be right at 26 with Picard and Eden returning. We do not know how the Olympics will effect things because there will not be centralization this year with the existence of the PWHL.

[Timothy A]

We do not know how the Olympics will effect things because there will not be centralization this year with the existence of the PWHL.

I think the only player Wisconsin is going to lose would be Harvey, and maybe Edwards and as you said it won't be for the whole season, probably a much shorter time period.

[BadgerPete]

I think the only player Wisconsin is going to lose would be Harvey, and maybe Edwards and as you said it won't be for the whole season, probably a much shorter time period.

Sapovalivova will absolutely play for Czechia. If Eden is still here she will almost certainly go as well. Edwards is highly likely and Simms is quite possible.

[Timothy A]

Sapovalivova will absolutely play for Czechia. If Eden is still here she will almost certainly go as well. Edwards is highly likely and Simms is quite possible.

Yeah I forgot about Sap. I need to adjust my thoughts to these European players being here. I think with the PWHL less college players will get the call. I think Simms is more likely than Eden.

[Patricio]

UMD swept OSU in Columbus this past weekend 2-1 and 4-3!!

[Gargoyle]

UMD swept OSU in Columbus this past weekend 2-1 and 4-3!!

I saw part of Nadine's post-game press conference on Sunday and she was very gracious to UMD. She basically said that her team simple had to get better. I hope this is the link: https://twitter.com/i/status/1837947820286136568

[Timothy A]

It'll be interesting to see how quickly the forwards gel. Six of the 14 forwards did not play a period for WI last year. Enright did play the year before. I'm just grateful we don't have to play a UMD caliber team to start out the season. Biggest thing will be to see them play with poise with the puck. That shouldn't be too hard against the woodsters
this weekend. The season does get progressively harder with BC and then UMD.

[Timothy A]

What will the F lines look like? Last year ended with:

Edwards OB Simms
Curl Hall Eden
Wheeler Picard Woz
Helgeson Gorbo Kotlowski (LOL)

Edwards OB Simms
McCarthy Gorbo Eden
Scannell Hall Woz
Zilisch Picard Vasseur

I moved Gorbo up because she seems to have more offensive upside than Picard and Hall only had 5A playing center on the 2nd line last year. She was also more physical and stronger along the boards. She could slot into Curl's W spot on line 2 if they have other players to play C that they trust. Maybe Scannell or McCarthy can play C, but they need to be more classic distributors. Simms one would think make a wonderful C, she had 42A, but when you play with those 2 you'll get a lot of apples.

[BadgerPete]

What will the F lines look like? Last year ended with:

Edwards OB Simms
Curl Hall Eden
Wheeler Picard Woz
Helgeson Gorbo Kotlowski (LOL)

Edwards OB Simms
McCarthy Gorbo Eden
Scannell Hall Woz
Zilisch Picard Vasseur

I moved Gorbo up because she seems to have more offensive upside than Picard and Hall only had 5A playing center on the 2nd line last year. She was also more physical and stronger along the boards. She could slot into Curl's W spot on line 2 if they have other players to play C that they trust. Maybe Scannell or McCarthy can play C, but they need to be more classic distributors. Simms one would think make a wonderful C, she had 42A, but when you play with those 2 you'll get a lot of apples.

You left off Enright. Which is a good segue to something she posted today on Instagram that I feel is worth sharing:

Game week!

Looking back on this past year, I’ve come to truly understand how important it is to appreciate the little things. Being injured for the past year and a half has been one of the hardest challenges I’ve faced—there’s no sugarcoating that. The frustration, the setbacks, and the constant feeling of being on the sidelines were tough to handle. But through it all, this journey has taught me so much about gratitude and resilience.

Injuries aren’t just about physical pain; they test you mentally and emotionally too, and it is most likely going to be the hardest part. It’s easy to feel stuck in the negatives, especially when progress feels slow or nonexistent. I’ve had my fair share of those moments, trust me. But instead of staying trapped in the frustration, I’ve learned to focus on the positives. I’ve gained a whole new perspective—one that’s helped me find strength in my weakest moments and see growth even in the smallest victories.

Things I used to take for granted now mean so much more. Walking without pain, being able to move freely, even spending time with friends and teammates—these little things are everything to me now. This injury has been a rollercoaster, but it’s taught me that sometimes the hardest journeys lead to the greatest growth. I’m not the same person I was a year ago, and for that, I’m incredibly grateful. Growth doesn’t always look how we expect it to, but it’s there, even in the toughest of times. Appreciate the times you have on the ice with your teammates and appreciate the opportunity to play this amazing sport because you never know when will be your last game will be!



I'm excited to see Claire back out on the ice this year. These are special players, and we're truly privileged to get to stroll into LaBahn and watch them ply their trade for us.