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Wisconsin Women's Hockey 2026-27
- Thread starter robertearle
- Start date
ARM
Fan of chipmunk-like mascots.
Thought this belonged in a UW thread, not PWHL at this point.
These are all people who I respect a ton.
Jessie Vetter - It's hard to win hockey games when you can't score. Particularly in the postseason, Vetter didn't give up goals. She made playing goalie look easy, like anybody should be able to do it. Always in the right place, always stopping the puck, and always cool while doing it.
Meghan Duggan - One time I watched UW and Mercyhurst play in St. Cloud, in a game matching two seniors named Meghan. Agosta was a great player, who elevated the Lakers from a team you didn't want to play in the NCAAs to a legitimate contender. Duggan put on a clinic of all the different types of plays that an elite player can make to help her team win a game. Plays like that were the reason that it was hard to argue with her Kazmaier win.
Hilary Knight - You could never relax when watching her Wisconsin teams play, because she was capable of turning a game so quickly. Didn't need the puck on her stick for long, and she could score in so many different ways.
Honorable mention: Carla MacLeod. Played before UW achieved the kind of success that they would in later years, but carried the banner for the early Badger teams in terms of being hard to play against.
There are likely recent Badgers who are as good or better. However, I've watched them far less, and these days, you don't have to be that good to wreck Minnesota's dreams.
Note that you could ask three other people this question, they could each list three different players, you'd wind up with a dozen Badgers, and maybe nobody is wrong. A lot of talent has passed through Madison.
These are all people who I respect a ton.
Jessie Vetter - It's hard to win hockey games when you can't score. Particularly in the postseason, Vetter didn't give up goals. She made playing goalie look easy, like anybody should be able to do it. Always in the right place, always stopping the puck, and always cool while doing it.
Meghan Duggan - One time I watched UW and Mercyhurst play in St. Cloud, in a game matching two seniors named Meghan. Agosta was a great player, who elevated the Lakers from a team you didn't want to play in the NCAAs to a legitimate contender. Duggan put on a clinic of all the different types of plays that an elite player can make to help her team win a game. Plays like that were the reason that it was hard to argue with her Kazmaier win.
Hilary Knight - You could never relax when watching her Wisconsin teams play, because she was capable of turning a game so quickly. Didn't need the puck on her stick for long, and she could score in so many different ways.
Honorable mention: Carla MacLeod. Played before UW achieved the kind of success that they would in later years, but carried the banner for the early Badger teams in terms of being hard to play against.
There are likely recent Badgers who are as good or better. However, I've watched them far less, and these days, you don't have to be that good to wreck Minnesota's dreams.
Ooftah
Active member
I'm not sure what to make of the Pennsylvania team sponsored by that fracking czar having more players picked in the PWHL draft than Wisconsin. Admittedly, all five UW players were picked in the first round, including - thank goodness - Vivian Jungels.
Personally, I'll take quality over quantity any day of the week. In this case, Wisconsin had plenty of both.
Go, Badgers!
Personally, I'll take quality over quantity any day of the week. In this case, Wisconsin had plenty of both.
Go, Badgers!
robertearle
Well-known member
The NCAA "five in five" change to eligibility has been approved.
Those having used a fourth year of eligibility during the 2025-26 school year are NOT eligible for a fifth year. But those with eligibility remaining for the 2026-27 school year and beyond will be able to compete in a fifth year, so long as the "five year window" has not otherwise run out. The "five-year window" begins upon high school graduation or the student's 19th birthday, whichever occurs first (known as the 'age-based" model for eligibility).
So those Badgers who would otherwise be entering their final year of eligibility this coming year - McNaughton, Kelly Gorbatenko, etal - now have two years of eligibility remaining. On the other hand, Nicole and Rachel Gorbatenko will still have only four year remaining, having taken a "redshirt" year in 2025-26, which "burned" a year of their five years under the "age-based model".
One of the 'targets" of the new rule was foreign players who come to the USA as 20 or 21 year old freshmen. So next up is checking on Sapovalivova's and Lopusanova's birthdates.
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I think Sapo will have another four years. Lopusanova should be eligible for the full five years.
Those having used a fourth year of eligibility during the 2025-26 school year are NOT eligible for a fifth year. But those with eligibility remaining for the 2026-27 school year and beyond will be able to compete in a fifth year, so long as the "five year window" has not otherwise run out. The "five-year window" begins upon high school graduation or the student's 19th birthday, whichever occurs first (known as the 'age-based" model for eligibility).
So those Badgers who would otherwise be entering their final year of eligibility this coming year - McNaughton, Kelly Gorbatenko, etal - now have two years of eligibility remaining. On the other hand, Nicole and Rachel Gorbatenko will still have only four year remaining, having taken a "redshirt" year in 2025-26, which "burned" a year of their five years under the "age-based model".
One of the 'targets" of the new rule was foreign players who come to the USA as 20 or 21 year old freshmen. So next up is checking on Sapovalivova's and Lopusanova's birthdates.
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I think Sapo will have another four years. Lopusanova should be eligible for the full five years.
eastcoastgopher
Active member
Entering
Sapovalivova is 20. Lopusanova, who attended high school in the US, is 18.
robertearle
Well-known member
Per Todd Milewski. Badger women hockey will be at the Brewers game tonight; first pitch, Sausage Race, etc.
And they got a good one: Misiorowski vs the Cubs. I assume the Gorbatenkos are Cub fans, but we'll try to not hold that against them.
And they got a good one: Misiorowski vs the Cubs. I assume the Gorbatenkos are Cub fans, but we'll try to not hold that against them.
Timothy A
Let's go RED!
The flying Cardinal W trumps all in my book. I love the 3 starters for the series, let's stick it to them.
TDM had an article up about Johnson joining the family. She went into the portal blind and UW gave her a call. I wonder if she's on a full scholarship or a partial on the in-state tuition plan.
Just checked to see if next season's roster was out yet. It is partially updated. Players that are gone have been removed. All returning players are listed, but no newcomers. I don't remember if Enright officially announced if she was returning or not. She is listed on the roster. Vasseur is not listed.
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robertearle
Well-known member
A shame that Vasseur was injured so much, and/or so often. She had one tip-in goal during the 24-25 season that was disallowed for a high stick; ironically, had it come a year later, it would have counted. Her first game finally back from the injuries, she didn't do anything particularly 'memorable' on the ice, but she was still chosen to be the one to knock down the beer can pyramid. Thanks to her for putting in what must have been a difficult effort through those years.
Timothy A
Let's go RED!
I hate to tell you, but she's here. When the ladies were on hand at the Brewer game last weekend, I noticed a bunch of new faces in the group photo, so I bookmarked it on the Tweeder. I googled her and found an Instagram picture, and sure enough there was a match.
robertearle
Well-known member
I think I can ID a couple of the 'new faces', but I'm not all sure of a number of them; particularly, the three to the left in this photo, the one below/between Murphy and McNaughton, and the one below and to her right of Nicole Gorbatenko. Beaudette could be one of the three to the left, or the one near Nicole. Which did you think?
(and anyone else "in the know" so to speak, please weigh in.)
Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) on X
🗣️ The BACK-TO-BACK champs are here Shoutout to @UWBadgers Women's Hockey for coming through tonight! https://t.co/HTUeFR49Bk
Timothy A
Let's go RED!
Front far left is Beaudette.I think I can ID a couple of the 'new faces', but I'm not all sure of a number of them; particularly, the three to the left in this photo, the one below/between Murphy and McNaughton, and the one below and to her right of Nicole Gorbatenko. Beaudette could be one of the three to the left, or the one near Nicole. Which did you think?
(and anyone else "in the know" so to speak, please weigh in.)
Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) on X
🗣️ The BACK-TO-BACK champs are here Shoutout to @UWBadgers Women's Hockey for coming through tonight! https://t.co/HTUeFR49Bkx.com
Timothy A
Let's go RED!
I have to ask why you chose not to inform us peons of the change, almighty and ever knowing knowing W of Oz? One would think you'd want to keep your perfect record of scooping. (Scooping exactly what, that is the question)
Ooftah
Active member
Apart from saying it means MacIntosh isn't coming back, tell me how this announcement is good for women's hockey?
Can't they find an AD who will maintain football mediocrity - the only realistic goal - and allow other sports to proceed unimpeded?
Can't they find an AD who will maintain football mediocrity - the only realistic goal - and allow other sports to proceed unimpeded?
Veteran college athletics administrator Shawn Eichorst appointed University of Wisconsin Director of Athletics
Veteran college athletics administrator Shawn Eichorst appointed University of Wisconsin Director of Athletics for Wisconsin Badgers Badgers
uwbadgers.com
robertearle
Well-known member
People at the volleyball fan forum page thought it was a good sign that he has spent time at the other two large attendance numbers, big-time volleyball schools - Texas and Nebraska - so he understand the "importance" of volleyball.Apart from saying it means MacIntosh isn't coming back, tell me how this announcement is good for women's hockey?
Can't they find an AD who will maintain football mediocrity - the only realistic goal - and allow other sports to proceed unimpeded?
Veteran college athletics administrator Shawn Eichorst appointed University of Wisconsin Director of Athletics
Veteran college athletics administrator Shawn Eichorst appointed University of Wisconsin Director of Athletics for Wisconsin Badgers Badgersuwbadgers.com
I thought it's good that neither of those has women's hockey, so maybe he'll ignore it and leave the team and program alone. LOL