University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
Boston College
Players Mentioned
Gophers Set to Drop Puck on 29th Season
9/24/2025 3:09:00 PM | Women's Hockey
MINNEAPOLIS – The No. 3-ranked Minnesota Women's Hockey team opens its 29th season this week, hosting Boston College at Ridder Arena on Thursday, Sept. 25 and Friday, Sept. 26. Both games are scheduled for 6:00 p.m. CT and will stream live on B1G+.
Minnesota (0-0-0, 0-0-0 WCHA) vs. Boston College (0-0-0, 0-0-0 HE)
Date: Sept. 25, 2025
Time: 6 p.m. CT
Stream: B1G+
Location: Ridder Arena
Minnesota (0-0-0, 0-0-0 WCHA) vs. Boston College (0-0-0, 0-0-0 HE)
Date: Sept. 26, 2025
Time: 6 p.m. CT
Stream: B1G+
Location: Ridder Arena
Scouting the Eagles
Boston College also begins its 2025-26 campaign this weekend. The Eagles are coming off a 21-win season that saw them finish third in Hockey East before falling in double overtime, 3-2, to Boston University in the conference tournament semifinals. This season, BC was picked to finish fourth in Hockey East with 64 votes and received recognition in both national preseason polls, earning 18 votes in the USCHO poll and six in the USA Hockey poll. The Eagles return their top point producer in junior forward Sammy Taber, who tallied 11 goals and 25 assists last season. Head coach Katie Crowley enters her 19th season at the helm, having led the program to six NCAA Frozen Fours, 11 NCAA Tournament appearances, five Hockey East regular-season titles, and three Hockey East Tournament championships.
2025-26 Roster Preview
Minnesota returns 14 players from last year's squad, including two-time Top-10 Patty Kazmaier Award finalist Abbey Murphy, who ranked second nationally in goals (33) and fourth in points (65) in 2024-25. On the blue line, Sydney Morrow returns after an All-WCHA Second Team season and top-three finish for WCHA Defender of the Year. Sophomore Chloe Primerano looks to build on a decorated freshman campaign that included WCHA All-Third Team, WCHA All-Rookie Team, USCHO All-Rookie Team, and All-Tournament honors. Up front, Josefin Bouveng opens the season just one point shy of 100 career points, while Nelli Laitinen is coming off a career-best 19 assists as a junior. In net, sophomore Hannah Clark returns after leading the team with 25 wins and posting 814 saves with a .904 save percentage.
Incoming Impact
Minnesota adds a fresh cast for the 2025-26 season, highlighted by 10 newcomers. The Gophers secured three key transfers from the portal. Sarah Paul, a redshirt senior forward from Princeton, led the nation in goals per game (0.90) and power-play goals (10) last season. Her 28 goals ranked fourth nationally. Jamie Nelson, a graduate forward from Minnesota State, paced the Mavericks with 30 points (8g, 22a).Molly Jordan, a junior defender from Boston College, tallied 24 points (8g, 16a) for the Eagles in 2024-25. Minnesota also welcomes freshman goaltender Layla Hemp, the Jori Jones Award winner and the state of Minnesota's top senior net minder at Minnetonka High School. Additional freshmen include forwards Olivia Kortan, Tereza Plosova, Avery Hovland, Sienna D'Alessandro, and Bella Fanale, along with defender Sydney Bailey.
Leadership Group
Captains Abbey Murphy and Nelli Laitinen both return to wear the 'C' for the second straight season.
Home Grown Talent
This year's roster features 10 Minnesotans, with additional representation from Illinois, Connecticut, New York, North Dakota, Canada, Finland, Sweden, Hungary, and the Czech Republic. Minnetonka High School continues its strong pipeline with Ava Lindsay, Layla Hemp, and Sophia Johnson all suiting up for the Maroon & Gold.
Three for Three
For the third straight year, Minnesota opens the season ranked No. 3 in both the USCHO and USA Hockey national polls. Under head coach Brad Frost, the Gophers have been ranked in the top four of at least one poll in every season of his 19-year tenure.
Behind the Bench
Head coach Brad Frost returns for his 19th season with the Gophers, entering the year with a career record of 528-121-42, four national titles, and seven conference championships. Associate head coach Greg May, assistant coach Mitch Baker, and assistant coach/general manager Jessica Scott also return to the staff.
National Recognition
In addition to their No. 3 national ranking, several Gophers earned preseason honors. Abbey Murphy was named to the Preseason All-WCHA Team for the second time in her career. Chloe Primerano, Sydney Morrow, and Nelli Laitinen each received votes, while newcomers Bella Fanale and Layla Hemp received consideration for WCHA Rookie of the Year. Murphy also picked up votes for WCHA Preseason Player of the Year.
Starting Strong
The Maroon & Gold have a long tradition of opening the season on the right note, boasting a 25-3-0 all-time record in season openers. Minnesota has outscored opponents 138-31 in those contests, including last year's 4-1 victory over then-No. 9 Connecticut.
Quest for Eight
Minnesota begins its pursuit of an eighth national championship, having already claimed seven titles (2000, 2004, 2005, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016).