It’s always exciting to get to know the new first year players coming on campus every September, but this year seems just a little extra special. Some of the players making their debuts have the potential to become generational talents at both the college and professional level. This list of fifteen first-year players to watch is not exhaustive, but is based on some players who had significant hype coming into college, have participated in international competition, or who are starting off the season producing offensively for their teams.
Chloe Primerano (Rink Academy – Kelowna, D, 2025, Minnesota), Minnesota
The first female skater to be drafted by a CHL team, Primerano is a 17 year old defender (yes, she graduated early) coming from the RINK Hockey Academy, a powerhouse for prospects in British Columbia. Primerano captained the 2024 Canada U18 World Championship team and was named tournament MVP after scoring 16 points, a record for a defender. This September, she was invited to the Canadian senior national team’s training camp, becoming the youngest player to ever do so. Primerano is an elite skater and playmaker, with a hockey IQ that is off the charts. Called the “most hyped prospect on the planet” by The Hockey News, Primerano could just be the next Canadian women’s hockey icon. Primerano has been a key asset to the Gophers as she has notched four points in just eight games so far, and is on special teams and has been consistently on the starting line up as the first pair defense. Primerano was ranked a 5 star prospect by Neutral Zone.
Caitlin Kraemer (Kitchener Waterloo Jr. Rangers, F, 2024, Minnesota Duluth) Minnesota-Duluth
The all-time leading scorer for Canada’s U18 National Team with 37 goals in 32 games (she broke the record held by Marie Philip-Poulin), Kraemer is a product of the OWHL’s Waterloo program who is fast, tenacious, and highly-skilled. In the second game of her college career, Kraemer’s UMD Bulldogs defeated the then-number-one-ranked Ohio State with her scoring 2 goals and an assist. Kraemer is going to be the face of UMD hockey for the next few years, as they look to challenge the top dogs for a national title. Kraemer was ranked a 4.75 star prospect by Neutral Zone.
Emma Venusio (Etobicoke Jr. Dolphins, D, 2024, Wisconsin) Wisconsin
Venusio is a playmaking defender who captained Canada’s gold medal-winning 2023 U18 World Championship team. Wisconsin Head Coach Mark Johnson has stated that Venusio, “Might have the best one-timer in Canada.” The former Etobicoke Jr. Dolphins (OWHL) captain helped lead her team to a provincial title in her sophomore year. Venusio was ranked a 4.5 star prospect by Neutral Zone.
Maggie Scannell (Shattuck St. Mary’s Prep, F, 2024, Wisconsin) Wisconsin
Scannell played on the last three US National Team U18 squads and captained last year’s team that won gold in Switzerland. She also captained her Shattuck St. Mary’s team to a national title in 2023, scoring 98 points in 56 games. The ultra-skilled center is already off to a hot start in her rookie campaign with the Badgers, with 3 goals and an assist in her first 5 games. Scannell was ranked a 4.5 star prospect by Neutral Zone.
Jordyn Petrie (Shattuck St. Mary’s Prep, F, 2024, Ohio State) Ohio State
A two-time national champion at Shattuck St. Mary’s, Petrie also won a gold medal as part of Team USA’s U18 Women’s World Championship team. She was named the WCHA Rookie of the Week after scoring 3 goals in 2 games against Bemidji State and currently has 6 points in her first 8 games. Petrie was ranked a 4.25 star prospect by Neutral Zone.
Raedyn Spademan (Rink Academy – Kelowna, F, 2024, Clarkson) Clarkson
Alberta native Spademan, a from the RINK Academy program, is off to a torrid pace with 4 goals and 3 assists in her first 6 games. An aggressive forechecker, Spademan causes havoc in the offensive zone with her speed, agility, and puck-handling abilities. Spademan was ranked a 4.25 star prospect by Neutral Zone.
Eloise Caron (Limoilou, F, 2024, Northeastern) Northeastern
Caron was a gold medalist with Team Canada at the 2023 IIHF U18 World Championship as well as an assistant captain of Team Québec at the Jeux du Canada in 2023. She’s currently leading the Huskies in scoring with 4 goals and 3 assists in her first 6 games, tying her for best in the nation among first-year players. Caron was ranked a 4.25 star prospect by Neutral Zone.
Josie St. Martin (Stillwater High School, F, 2024, Ohio State) Ohio State
St. Martin scored 65 points in 23 games for Stillwater High School (MN) last year, and has appeared on the US U18 World Championship team for the last three years, wearing the alternate captain patch and leading the team in scoring on last year’s gold medal winning squad. St.Martin tailed a pair of goals against Bemidji St. during a game series. St. Martin was ranked a 4.5 star prospect by Neutral Zone.
Lola Reid (Shattuck St. Mary’s Prep, F, 2024, Boston University) Boston University
Reid is a big, highly-skilled forward who won two national titles at Shattuck St. Mary’s. She is currently leading the Terriers in scoring with 5 points in her first 5 games. She’s strong on her skates and very hard to knock off the puck. Most recently,Reid was awarded Hockey East Rookie of the week for her dominating play. Reid was ranked a 4 star prospect by Neutral Zone.
Ayla Puppe (Northfield, F, 2024, Minnesota) Minnesota
Minnesota’s Ms. Hockey 2024, Puppe is a natural goal-scorer who can dominate a game. Her numbers as a high school player are staggering: 61 goals and 111 points in 30 games for Northfield (MN). If she can get space and time at the collegiate level, hold onto your scoring records. Puppe was ranked a 4.25 star prospect by Neutral Zone.
Claire Murdoch (Burlington Jr. Barracudas, F, 2024, UConn) UConn
A gold medalist with Canada’s U18 Women’s World Championship team in 2023, Murdoch currently leads her UCONN team in scoring with 6 points in 6 games. The Burlington Barracudas forward put up a shocking 124 points in 42 games in her final season in the OWHL. Murdoch has been a key asset to the Huskies as she has notched six points in just eight games so far. Murdoch was ranked a 4.5 star prospect by Neutral Zone.
Chloe Boreen (Hill Murray High School, F, 2024, St. Thomas) St. Thomas
Averaging more than 2 points per game over her high school career at Hill-Murray (MN), Boreen is already leading her St. Thomas team in points to start the year. She was named WCHA Rookie of the Week in October for a 3-point weekend against Post. A Team USA U18 Select Camp invitee in 2023, Boreen is fast and crafty with the puck, possessing a sneaky release and a hard shot. Boreen has been a key asset for the Tommies, as she has notched six points in just six games so far. Boreen was ranked a 4.25 star prospect by Neutral Zone.
Jenna Smellie (Etobicoke Jr. Dolphins, F, 2024, Clarkson) Clarkson
Another member of Canada’s U18 team, Etobicoke alum Smellie buzzes in the offensive zone and brings an elite work ethic and skill-set to the Golden Knights this season. She’s started her college career off strong, scoring 6 points in her first 6 games. Smellie was ranked a 4.25 star prospect by Neutral Zone.
Hannah Halverson (Edina High School, F, 2024, Wisconsin) Wisconsin
Halverson captained her Edina (MN) team to a state championship last year, posting 57 points in 31 games. She’s picked up 4 points in her first 5 games as a Badger. She has sick hands and a knack for scoring gorgeous goals. Halverson was ranked a 4.5 star prospect by Neutral Zone.
Mira Jungaker (HV71(SDHL), D, 2024, Ohio State) Ohio State
Jungåker has been a part of Sweden’s national team program for several years and has significant experience competing against the best players in the world. Described by The Hockey News as one of the “best young defenders on the planet,” Jungåker participated in last spring’s Women’s World Championships in Utica earning the second most ice time among all defenders on the senior team.