The women's college hockey recruiting cycle rolls on.
It's been roughly a month since we last took stock of notable recruiting news around New England and just under three months since players in the class of 2027 became eligible to commit. So, it's a perfect time to take a look at the latest surrounding the region's colleges and recruits.
Since our last round of takeaways, two of the most notable prospects to track during this cycle, Annabelle Lovell (Hingham, Mass.) and Maggie Averill (Wayland, Mass.), each secured college commitments. Lovell chose Minnesota, while Averill joined her older sister, Caroline, in Princeton's pipeline. We previously broke down each commitment.
Nevertheless, there's still plenty to unpack from the last month-plus.
A trio of top defenders from the region landed commitments to local programs, while other prep standouts also found landing spots. Meanwhile, some other recruiting trends continued.
Let's dive in.
Yale stays busy
The Bulldogs have been one of the more active programs in this year's recruiting cycle.
Earlier this summer, they added key prospects in Mia Daley (Lynnfield, Mass.), Annika Jonas (Weston, Mass.) and Maddie Lahah (North Attleboro, Mass.), supplementing a deep pipeline with New England ties across the 2007s, '08s and now '09s.
Yale has since picked up a handful of other notable recruits, including Nobles defender Ava Decourcey (Rockland, Mass.). The right-shot blue-liner is coming off a terrific spring and summer, showing well at Mass. Hockey Festival and Final 40, as well as the Wizards Showcase. She also skated at USA Hockey's Under-18 Women's National Festival after standing out at National 16/17 Camp.
Decourcey is coming off an 11-point, four-goal season, her first at Nobles after transferring from Tilton. She had back-to-back 20-plus point seasons at Titlon, posting 21 points (nine goals) before 24 points (16 goals). The 2008 is a strong presence in transition and the offensive zone, identifying skating lanes, reading the ice well and quarterbacking offensive situations from the point. She's in line for a strong season at Nobles.
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Meanwhile, Phillips Exeter forward Paisley Meyer (Greenland, N.H.), an '09, also committed to Yale. The left-shot posted career-highs on the Big Red's first line this past season with 31 points (12 goals), following a 21-point (nine-goal) freshman season.
It's easy to see why Meyer has been so productive at Exeter. She plays a key role on a strong top line alongside Vermont commit Maria Gray and Northeastern commit Erin Sears (Cornwall, Vt.). Meyer has good speed, thanks to her efficient strides, and she can flat-out rip the puck.
Yale added two more productive 2009-born forwards to the pipeline in Remi Karsh and Berkeley Whitehead. Karsh will skate with Lovell Academy this season after posting two strong 16U seasons at Winchendon. Her 95 points (28 goals) in 61 games followed 128 points (52 goals) in 65 games the year before. She also skated at USA Hockey's National 16/17 in July. Whitehead, meanwhile, had 44 points (21 goals) in 52 games with the Pittsburgh Penguins Elite 16Us last winter.
Mirella Martinelli commits to Providence
Another top defender is off the board as Mirella Martinelli committed to Providence College.
The North Providence, R.I., native won't be going far when it's time for her collegiate career, landing in her hometown Friars' pipeline.
Martinelli will suit up for Tabor this season after standing out at Lovell Academy. She had 34 goals and 95 points in 83 games on the Lions' blue line in 2024-25.
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The 5-foot-5, right-shot blue-liner is a strong presence in all three zones. She brings good intensity in the defensive zone, battling hard around her net and maintaining good gaps when defending the rush. The '09 moves the puck quickly and decisively, and at the point, she does a good job of finding shooting lanes for her heavy shot.
Martinelli impressed at USA Hockey's U18 Women's National Festival in August after advancing from 16/17 Camp. She has an opportunity to play a key role for the Seawolves this winter, and she could be one of the top blue-liners to watch in prep.
Cornell lands two key commitments
The Big Red locked up commitments from a pair of strong prospects with New England ties in Shattuck-St. Mary's defender Kate Hall (Greenwich, Conn.) and Williston Northampton forward Brooke Schlutter.
Hall, an '08, has posted back-to-back productive seasons with Shattuck's 16Us. She had 40 points (17 goals) in 40 games on the blue line this past season, following 38 points (12 goals) in 57 games the year before. She skated at 16/17 Camp in July.
Standing at 5-foot-10, the left-shot '08 is a big, rangy presence on defense. She uses her reach effectively and anticipates plays, closing down passing and shooting lanes. She also boasts a heavy shot and good decision-making with the puck.
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Schlutter exploded for a career season at Williston last winter. She led the Wildcats with 18 goals as part of 26 points in 25 games. It was a big step up from 11 points (three goals) as a freshman. She figures to remain a massive fixture for Williston this coming season after a monster showing at USA Hockey Nationals with the CT Polar Bears this past spring.
The right-shot forward is a strong play-driver with a high hockey IQ, especially when carrying the puck through neutral ice. She brings consistent compete on a shift-to-shift basis and has a dangerous shot. The '09 also skated at 16/17 Camp.
Devon Moore commits to Holy Cross
The Crusaders made a solid pickup, adding Dexter Southfield forward Devon Moore (Milton, Mass.).
Moore was a steady contributor for the Shields last season, her first in prep, posting five goals and 10 points in 25 games. She's a former standout with Notre Dame (Hingham), putting up 27 points (20 goals) in the MIAA in 2023-24.
The right-shot '08 plays with a ton of energy, making life difficult for defenders on the forecheck and coming through in big spots. When she's on her game, she can take over shifts and be a huge offensive driver.
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“Her skating is very clean, and her ability to play the game sets her apart from other people,” Dexter coach Maggie Taverna said of Moore entering the 2024-25 season. “She’s not a kid that’s just going to take a puck and go end-to-end, stick handle through a million kids and score. She’s somebody who’s going to create 2-on-1s all over the ice because she understands how to move off puck and move pucks into space for somebody to skate into and create a play.”
Moore will have a chance to be a key piece for Dexter as she looks to build on last season.
Hockey East remains active among '09s
Our women's college hockey commitment databases track players committed to New England programs, New England native commitments and other local player commitments.
Of the 59 players in our 2009 database, 32 (54.2 percent) are for Hockey East programs. The conference has accounted for some of the most activity among 2009-born players so far, as have the Ivy Leagues.
In addition to Providence, Boston College, Boston University and Holy Cross each picked up another '09 recruit.
BC landed Sophia Garner, a 5-foot-7, left-shot forward out of Bishop Kearney. BU, meanwhile, committed 6-foot defender Ava McDermid out of RINK HA Kelowna. The rangy blue-liner had 21 points (20 assists) in 30 games last season, her first in U18 play. It followed 23 points (seven goals) in 31 games for the Airdrie Lightning U15s the season prior. As for Holy Cross, the Crusaders added Cora Galliah. The '09 forward had 13 points (six goals) in 42 games for the Kingston Jr. Ice Wolves U22s last season.
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Maine, Merrimack, Northeastern and UConn each added a pair of '09s as well.
The Black Bears picked up forward Adriana Pepe, who had 73 points (39 goals) in 49 games for the OHA Mavericks Prep U18s last season. They also added forward Nicole Spencer out of the Stoney Creek Sabres.
Merrimack, meanwhile, added forwards Makenzie Grabie out of Shattuck-St. Mary's and Samantha Larmand out of the Barrie Sharks. Grabie, who stands 5-foot-9, had 19 points (12 goals) for Shattuck's 16Us in 2024-25.
As for Northeastern, the Huskies picked up two Canadian forwards between Stoney Creek's Ashley Austin and Calgary Edge School's Abby Lee. Lee had 25 points (seven goals) in 30 U18 games last season, following 40 points (22 goals) in 31 U15 games the year before.
UConn also added a pair of Canadian forwards in Riley Pettit from the Durham West Lightning and Demi Lazarou out of the North York Storm. Lazarou had a monster U18 season last year, posting 59 points (35 goals) in 47 games.
Other notable commitments...
- Lily Winckler commits to St. Anselm: Winckler, an '07 forward, was critical depth for Cushing this past season, posting 14 goals and 20 points and helping the Penguins reach the Elite 8. It came after she had 66 points (28 goals) in 65 games with Winchendon's 16Us in 2023-24.
- Kaidence Wright, Maddie Minucci commit to Lindenwood: Wright (Kent, Conn.), an '09 defender, impressed with the Northern Prospects at the Wizards Showcase earlier this summer. She ate minutes and had a knack for making plays off the rush and leading transition. After six points (two goals) at Frederick Gunn last winter, Wright will suit up for Northwood School this season. Meanwhile, Minucci, an '09 forward, had 22 points (10 goals) for the Lovell 16Us last season.
- Mackenzie Sutherland commits to Stonehill: Sutherland (West Roxbury, Mass.) has improved her production in each season at Dexter. The '08 defender had 12 points (six goals) last season, following nine points (one goal) as a sophomore and three assists as a freshman. A smooth skater, Sutherland is likely to see an uptick in minutes as a senior.
- Laurie Deguire commits to Maine: Deguire, an '06 goalie, landed in the Black Bears' pipeline after a strong career at Milton Academy, splitting the net with Northeastern commit Ava Scannell (Arlington, Mass.). Deguire had a .941 save percentage in 2022-23 and a .903 in 2023-24.
- Erin Healy commits to Princeton: Healy (South Burlington, Vt.), an '08 defender with Bishop Kearney, joins a deep New England core in the Tigers' pipeline. Her older sister, Megan, is set to begin her freshman season at Princeton, alongside former Loomis Chaffee defender Megan Collins (South Burlington, Vt.). Add in the Averills, Nobles' Lily Bromley (Carlisle, Mass.) and Groton's Tina Scalese (West Boylston, Mass.), and Princeton will soon feature a slew of New England standouts.
