A short June list of commits does not mean these athletes are bottom of the barrel players. The few signings are solid ones with players signing early to Division 1 schools, players going the Division 3 route that may have felt as a better fit for them, and some electing to hone their skills in their home country with a USports program. None of that takes away from the quality of players committing to schools in June. Congratulations to all of these wonderful student-athletes. *(Due note that previous months additions are were added to the bottom of this list)*
Camryn Grimley – D (★★★1/2) – Commits to UConn ‘25
The Huskies already see the potential in this ‘07 defender and they jumped at the chance to get her in a UConn sweater come 2025. Grimley will have a familiar face when she arrives at the Huskies’ Mark Edward Freitas Ice Forum, as her sister is a sophomore there this season. By the time Camryn arrives at UConn we suspect her star rating will have rocketed as she continues to hone her game. And in 2025 the Huskies will have a senior and freshman Grimley combo on the ice.
NZ Scouts say: “High ceiling for Grimley. She goes hard to the net for rebounds. Was seen battling through getting hooked down on the way in, but still managed to bang a goal home. She logs in quality time on the powerplay where she showcased excellent puck distribution. She often looked off the shot to freeze defenders and the goalie to make seam passes for better shooting options.”
Allison Zack – D (★★★1/2) – Commits to Nazareth College ‘23
The Golden Flyers add a strong left handed defender in Zack. Coming from the Chicago Mission program you just know she is ready to play at the NCAA level. Zack will make the trek East next season to bring her strong defensive play to the Purple and Gold.
NZ Scouts say: “Zack is another strong defender on the Mission team. She runs players down boards and uses her body well to separate players from the puck. When Zack gets the chance to pull the trigger, she has a hammer of a shot, and generates second chances with it.”
Avery Gottselig – D (★★★) – Commits to University of Saskatchewan ‘24
Gottselig a hails from Regina, Saskatchewan and as of now will look to the 2024/25 season to make her debut with the Huskies. She will make the 161 mi or 259 km ride south to Saskatoon where she will don the yellow, green, and white. The 3 star defender will bring size, at 5’8” and simple intelligent play to the Huskies squad and help give them a boost to reach above the .500 mark in the standings. But for now, she will hone her skills for another season with the Regina Rebels.
NZ Scouts say: “Gottselig works her way into position to crush a strong slap shot from the point. She hits the stretch to move the play up ice quickly. The defender does a good job of taking the body to deny opportunities.”
Kate Meinert- D (★★★) – Commits to Boston University ‘24
Meinert played one season with the Pittsburgh Pens Elite organization, but has spent the last three seasons in the BK Selects program. The right handed puck moving defender will spend a fourth year not raising her star level, with the Rochester organization. After that she will don the Terrier’s sweater in the Hockey East where she will compete for ice time among what will be a very young D-core for Boston University.
NZ Scouts say: “Meinert, a smooth puck moving defender who makes an excellent first pass. She moves the puck with authority, tape to tape, and sets the breakout in motion. Meinert’s offensive skills give her power-play time, where she showcases an excellent heads up and accurate shot. She moves her feet well to find shooting lanes and create scoring opportunities.”
Juliet Rutigliano (F) – Commits to the Nazareth College ‘23
The 5’9’’ left handed forward will bring power and strength to the freshman class of Nazareth College. The New Jersey native has had a stint with the CT Polar Bears, but has spent most of her career so far with the New Jersey Titans. The power forward will look to make a quick impact on the Golden Flyers roster this coming season.
NZ Scouts say: “Rutigliano is strong and has size. She uses her strength to power to the net. She uses her body to protect pucks well and hold off opponents with her strength. She can be a force around the net.”
Nikki Sharp (F) – Commits to Nazareth College ‘23
Sharp does not hail from one of those areas you typically think of when talking about hockey players. The Australian born forward grew up playing for her hometown team, the Perth Inferno. But later on she began to hone her skills playing a season for Canadian High School, A21 Academy where she put up 29 points in 20 games. But most recently Sharp developed her game even further with the BK Selects. The forward will add even more size and strength next season to the Golden Flyers roster.
NZ Scouts say: “At 5’11” Sharp brings size and strength to the team. She plays with passion and heart, especially around the opponents cage, where she is a strong net front presence.”
Scarlett Jones – (F) – Commits to McGill University ‘24
As of now Jones has made the commitment to McGill University for the 23/25 season. The British Columbia forward still has another season to hone her skill with her Delta organization. But look to see Jones ripping it up for the Redbirds when she makes her way across Canada from BC to Montreal in 2024.
NZ Scouts say: “Jones is a strong quick skater who makes good choices with the puck. She is very hard and aggressive on the forecheck. She is very good in the faceoff circle.”
Previous Months Additions
Natalie Fu – F (★★★) – Commits to Amherst College ‘23
The California player has been building her game with the San Jose Jr. Sharks and most recently the Chicago Mission. The west coast native spent the past three seasons in middle America and will not get her taste of the east coast as she will lace them up for Amherst College next season. The left handed forward will be a solid addition to the young Mammoth’s squad.
NZ Scouts say: “Fu is very quick and plays with a lot of energy. She handles the puck well and drives the net with purpose. She is also strong in the faceoff circle.”
Noemi Martinez – G (★★★) – Commits to University of New Hampshire ‘23
The Lawrenceville School/CT Polar Bear netminder will be taking her talents right down the road to UNH. She will join the Wildcats as a part of a very young backstopping team. Martinez will look to make an immediate impact on the team and help them get redemption of last season’s Conference Quarterfinals loss.
NZ Scouts say: “Martinez is an incredibly athletic goalie. When you think she’s down and out of the play, she comes up with a spectacular save…But what we liked as much as her athleticism, is that she’s a strong skater as well. The netminder gets out of her crease quickly and wrapped in pucks and sets them up for her defenders.”
Courtney Lilley (F) – Commits to University of New Hampshire ‘24
The ‘06 forward has spent the past three seasons developing her skills with Cushing Academy. The Wakefield, MA native will have one more season with Cushing to really ready herself for the NCAA level. The speedy forward will no doubt be able to keep up and in 2024 she will head across the state board and pull on the jersey of the Wildcats.
NZ Scouts say: “Lilley has fast speed which she uses to drive lanes, often drawing penalties as her opponent’s feet can’t keep up. She is hungry net front, will dig for rebounds and drives in hard from the slot. ”
Jenna Calchi (F) – Commits to Neumann University ‘23
The Knights just upgraded their forward lineup with Calchi. A product of the Little Flyers program, Calchi will literally pack up her gear and walk it down the hall of the Ice Works Skating Complex to the Neumann University locker room.
NZ Scouts say: “Calchi has a good IQ and knows how to develop the play. She has excellent hand – eye coordination and numerous times knocked the puck down and stole it to disrupt the opponent’s set-up. She skates well and would draw the D down to feed the net front. She can control the tempo and cycles, light on her feet in the offensive zone, especially during the power play.”
Cara Mancini (F) – Commits to Amherst College ‘23
Jaylyn Morris (D) – University of British Columbia ‘23