Neutral Zone – Women's
In-Depth Amateur Scouting Coverage and Rankings

Login/Logout

February Commitments: Four Star Makes a Switch From PSU to Union

NCAA COMMITMENTS

Giavanna MancyD (★★★★) – Commits to Union College ‘24

The Toledo, OH native has been a big part of the Jr. Flyers squad and in large part they have another bid to Nationals. She has spent the last two seasons with the Philadelphia organization after coming from the Little Caesars club. Originally committed to Penn State for the 2023-24 season, Mancy has since opted for a different college path. Instead she will be heading to the state of New York where she will pull on a Dutchwoman sweater for Union College.  

NZ Scouts say: “Mancy is a 4 star defender with excellent agility and escapability. She showcased all kinds of quick hands and creativity with the puck in this game, especially below the goal line. All game long she was consistently making quick decisions and seemed to process the game well.”

Karianne EngelbertF (★★★3/4) – Commits to Union College ‘24

Engelbert comes from the strong Durham West Jr. Lightning program where she was nearly a point per game player this season. The strong left handed forward is the second player this month to commit to play for Union College. While she is scheduled to graduate this year, it appears as though Engelbert will take a post-grad year as she’s opted to join the Dutchwomen for the 24-25 season.  

NZ Scouts say: “She is strong and very aggressive along the walls. When Engelbert goes into a battle, she is likely to come out with the puck.”

Mckenna WalshF (★★★1/4) – Commits to Penn State ‘23

The Nittany Lions in “Hockey Valley ” will add an incredible 3.25 star to their lineup for the 23-24 season. The hard working, high paced, right handed forward comes from the Chicago Mission program and has been a USA Hockey PDC invite. She will bring a level of intensity and speed to the PSU. 

NZ Scouts say: “What was most impressive about Walsh in this showcase, was her strength. The under 5 foot forward is strong, like a tiny bull, and protected pucks while holding off opponents twice her size. What she lacks in size, she more than makes up for in speed, work ethic, drive, heart, skill, strength, and fearlessness.”

Claire ColvinF (★★★1/4) – Commits to Williams College ‘23

The Ephs are making a big splash picking up a speedy 3.25 star forward for their 23-24 season. Colvin comes from the strong program at Phillips-Andover Academy in Massachusetts. Next season the forward will trade in her blue and white for purple and gold at Williams College just down the road.

NZ Scouts say: “Colvin has a great first step and can gain the inside edge on defenders when going to the net because of it…She plays hard in every aspect of the game and in all three zones. The forward has a high battle and compete level.”

Shaelyn CarrollF (★★★) – Commits to University of Maine ‘23

The Maine Black Bears added a solid 3 star to their roster in the 2023-24 season. The Michigan native comes from the Detroit Belle Tire program and has been a USA Hockey camp invite. 

NZ Scouts say: “She has the ability to carry the puck herself using her quick hands and reach to maneuver through and around opponents. She is cerebral in the sense that she reads plays and knows where to be on the ice before she has to be there.”

Zoe PucF (★★3/4) – Commits to Saint Anselm College ‘24

Puc will once again get to showcase her talents on the National stage, as she has once again helped her Florida Alliance squad gain a bid. But she will be confident in knowing that she will be playing Division I hockey in the 2024-25 season. The Florida native and USA Hockey camp invite will head to the NEWHA Conference and lace them up for the Saint Anselm Hawks in New Hampshire. 

NZ Scouts say: “Puc is a high ceiling forward, she skates well weaving around traffic, plays smart giving and goes for numerical advantage, and is a scoring threat every shift.”

Ellie MarkakisF (★★★1/4) – Commits to University of Connecticut ‘24

The Oakville Hornet forward has put up 14 goals this season in the OWHL and will look to bring that scoring touch in the 24-25 season to the University of Connecticut Huskies. Originally committed to the University of Waterloo (U Sports), she has now made the jump across the border to join the UConn Huskies. 

NZ Scouts say: “Markakis is a high-energy player who forechecks with tenacity, often forcing turnovers and creating chances for her team before the defenders can regroup.”

Isabella Paolucci (D)Commits to Yale University ‘23

Erika PorterD (★★★) – Commits to the University of Waterloo ‘23

The left handed defender from the Oakville Hornets organization will be taking her talents just down the road to the University of Waterloo. Porter, the Ontario born player has opted to stay and play in her home Providence and will sport the black and gold of the Warriors next season. 

NZ Scouts say: “Porter is very agile and has a heavy shot. The current 3 star defender has some size and toughness in her game. She battles hard and is willing to block shots. Porter’s shot is a hammer in its own right. She has a laser shot from point on powerplay and finds lanes with ease, she is sure to put hard pucks on net for second chances.”

Emma McCarthyD (★★★) – Commits to Western University of Ontario ‘23

The Captain of the Mississaga Jr. Hurricanes will head just 100 miles or 160 kilometers down the road to London, Ontario in the 23-24 season. The left handed defender will sport the purple and white for the Mustangs and looks to bring her quality skating and defense to the USports program. 

NZ Scouts say: “She was often the one leading the rush into the offensive zone and showed good vision with the puck. While undersized, she used her stick and body position effectively in the defensive zone to rarely be beaten 1 on 1. Emma has great edge work and speed, she can skate with the puck and is usually leading the rush. She has good vision and makes smart headman passes. She uses her speed and takes good angles to defend in the d-zone and has good gap control.”

Teagan GrayF (★★★) – Commits to University of Waterloo ‘23

The 5’9’’ left handed forward has spent the last two seasons with the Burlington Barracudas in the OWHL. Gray is taking her strong work ethic and tough play less than an hour away to the University of Waterloo where she will look to help the Warriors continue their playoff streak.  

NZ Scouts say: “Gray is a grinder who plays physical and powers through opponents on net drives for shots on net, on goalmouth scrambles and forecheck battles. She has a good net presence and is often first to the puck.”

Ava Bergman (F)Commits to University of Waterloo ‘23

Grace Gonyer (F)Commits to St. Francis of Xavier University ‘23

Joanna Martinsen (F)Commits to St. Francis of Xavier University ‘23

Kameryn Lahey (F)Commits to St. Francis of Xavier University ‘23

Arnica Bulmer (D)Commits to University of Western Ontario ‘23

Anjali Simms (D)Commits to Wilfrid Laurier University ‘23Erin Cabaday (G)Commits to University of Prince Edward Island ‘23

Post navigation
Scroll to top