Loomis Chaffee has a pedigree of churning out elite defenders.
In the past five graduating classes alone, the Pelicans have had at least 10 defenders go on to play college hockey, including five in Division 1.
Two defenders from last season’s team are now playing college hockey. Former captain Emma Hannah (Newtown, Conn.) is now a freshman at Middlebury, and Sarah Wagner is a freshman at Hamilton.
So, it’s no surprise entering this season that one of the biggest strengths of Liz Leyden’s team is again the blue line.
“A strong defense fundamentally changes the game for teams that have it,” Leyden said. “Having ‘D’ that can move, that can shoot, can distribute and do all those things allows us to have control of the puck so much more. It allows us in the defensive zone to clean up a lot of messes. It allows us to stay up in the neutral zone, keep pucks in and generate shots from the point.”
Loomis is coming off a trip to the Elite 8 semifinals last season, bowing out to eventual champion Nobles and finishing 19-6-2. The Pelicans have a chance to build on last season’s success, returning nine of its top 10 leading scorers as well as three pillars on the blue line.
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Back to lead the way on defense is a trio of D-1 commits in senior Catie Collins (South Burlington, Vt.) and juniors Carly Dann (Hanover, N.H.) and Megan Hosman.
Each fits the bill for Leyden, and they give the Pelicans a distinct luxury that few other teams in NEPSAC can boast.
“All three of them are different players, but they’re tall and can skate, which is the commonality,” Leyden said.
Everything starts with Collins, a co-captain this season. The Princeton commit continues to come into her own as a player and a leader. She posted 14 points (six goals) last season, doubling her previous highs, but what has impressed Leyden the most is how Collins’ confidence has grown.
“She came here clearly skilled and a beautiful skater, but every year she’s taken a step up in her presence, her poise and confidence,” Leyden said. “Last year, she was willing to jump into the rush. Her decision-making has continued to improve as she’s gained more confidence off the ice. She’s a real leader for our team and someone the kids really respect. She works incredibly hard, she’s kind, and she’ll tell it how it is.”
Leyden expects Collins to run it back on the top pairing with Hosman. The two dominated together last season, going over two months without allowing a 5-on-5 goal from before the Patsy K. Odden Tournament in December to a 4-2 loss at Phillips Andover on Feb. 21.
“Their plus-minus was ridiculous,” Leyden said. “The two of them playing together really was outstanding. … It was wild, just a tremendously long time where they didn’t get scored on 5-on-5. When we talk about how much of a game-changer it is, that fundamentally changes the entire way we play it. Even when we’re in the defensive zone, they just erase mistakes.”
That stretch coincided with a 17-2-1 run that began with a win at the PKO Tournament and included a 16-game unbeaten streak (15-0-1). Between their size, Collins’ elite skating ability and Hosman’s reach and timing, it makes for an effective defensive and puck-moving combo.
Hosman, a recent Penn State commit, is coming off a career-high 12 points (10 assists) as a sophomore.
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“Katie and I, we just work really well together,” Hosman said. “We’re both very offensive defenders, so both of us being able to get involved in the play and get offense started for our team, that’s a big part of what made us so successful together.”
Meanwhile, Dann recently landed a commitment to Cornell. The former forward put up four assists last season, typically skating on a pair with Hannah.
She boasts a heavy shot from the point and an ability to impact the game in all three zones. Leyden believes there’s a higher offensive ceiling to unlock.
“Carly has grown so much,” Leyden said. “She loves to shoot and wants to be involved in the offense. Learning when to take the shot and consistently hitting the net will make a big difference. She has the ability to impact all over the ice. I’m really excited for what she’ll do this year in terms of production because the progress she made from ninth to 10th grade was tremendous, and I have to believe it’ll be the same. All through last year, she kept improving month by month.”
Dann’s experience from her days as a forward helps her better understand the game from a defensive and offensive standpoint.
“It’s really helpful, seeing it from a forward’s perspective,” she said. “On a breakout, I try to think about what the easiest thing is that I can do to help the forwards and make it easier for them to get the puck out of the zone. It’s also helpful if there’s ever a good time to jump into the play or on the power play to help elevate the offensive side.”
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Leyden feels the best is yet to come for all three defenders, especially given their skillsets in today’s game. It’s particularly exciting to think about having two more seasons of Dann and Hosman.
“It changes my entire plan,” Leyden said. “Having them allows us to create in different ways. Having this ‘D’ core, any player that comes in, if they’re a defender, they get to practice with future D-1 players, learn and grow. If a kid’s coming in as a forward, how better to improve every day than to go against really good defenders?”
Junior Hattie Willard is back in the defensive fold as well. The junior has provided stable defense and could see an increased role this season. Loomis also added another productive presence to the back end with Alexine Beaulieu (Hudson, N.H.), who reclassified to the class of 2027 after a breakout 14-point season at Tilton.
Between the three headliners on defense, others like Willard and Beaulieu, a deep returning core up front and vital playoff experience, Leyden believes the Pelicans have a recipe for success this season. It’s a nod to the old adage that iron sharpens iron.
“If you have to compete against a Catie Collins, a Megan Hosman or a Carly Dann on a daily basis, you’re going to get better,” Leyden said. “No one gets better on their own. They get better because they’re playing with good players who care and teammates who compete and support them at the same time. That balance and culture of compete and support has allowed all of our players to improve. The way we can be our best team is if they push each other.”
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Loomis’ seniors, like Collins, have played in the Elite 8 in each of their first three seasons, part of a 10-season streak for the Pelicans. They know what it takes when it matters most, but in the end, Collins knows it’s all process-driven.
“For anyone in the league, that’s the goal and where everyone wants to be,” Collins said. “But being successful this year doesn’t just mean that. There are other things that would give me satisfaction from the season, like just having a good experience, making sure we have a good team culture and also seeing everyone improve. That’s most important. Obviously to win is the goal, but I want to make sure the steps to getting there are also checked off. That’s what overall success to me would be.”
