Mavericks to Enter 2010-11 Season with 10 Rookies

Minnesota State Women's Hockey Program Inks Three to National Letters of Intent

5/7/2010 5:15:58 PM

MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State women's hockey program has announced that three student-athletes have signed national letters of intent.

"There were some areas we needed to address and this group of ten players helps in the growth of our program" said head coach Eric Means. We targeted good character people whose entire background is nothing but winning. That background helps in changing the culture of the program."

Biographies of the signees appear below:

Melissa Klippenstein, a 5-foot, 10-inch forward from Neuberthal, Man., skated for the Pembina Valley Hawks last season...She played in 45 games, scoring 43 goals and earning 53 helpers...A member of the Manitoba Provincial Champions and Manitoba Female Midget Hockey League Champions...In high school she played for Menonite Collegiate Institute and played in 14 games, while scoring 20 goals and 13 assists.

“Melissa not only provides us some much needed size in the middle of the rink, but also possesses very good stick skills" said Means. "She is a good skater and her game should only get better over her four years”.

Danielle Butters, a 5-foot, 8-inch goatender from London, Ont., played for the Bluewater Hawks in the PWHL last season...She played in 18 games and posted a 1.79 GAA and .932 save percentage...She was a Ontario Provincial Finalist...A Member of Team Ontario Blue at Canadian National U-18 Championships...Silver Medalist at Canadian National U-18 Championships.

“Danielle is going to be competing for our number one spot this fall" said Means. "She had a great year, is technically sound, and has the type of frame you look for in a goaltender”.

Darion Fontaine-Bruyere, a 5-foot, 3-inch forward from Sagkeeng First Nation, played for Pursuit of Excellence out of Kelowna, B.C., last season who posted a 51-3 record...Fontaine played 40 games and tallied 22 goals and 19 assists...Her squad went on to win the JWHL Challenge Cup Championship along with the Saskatoon Stars Championship...In 2009, she was a member of the Aboriginal Canadian National Champions.

"Darion comes a very hockey intensive academy" Means said. "She has made great sacrifices to advance her hockey career. Plus, she was part of a tremendously talented team that rarely lost." He also stated that "she has great stick skills and playmaking ability”.

Listed below are the players the Mavericks signed during the early signing period:

Elisabeth Hewett, a 5-foot, 9-inch defenseman of Oak Bluff, Man., played for the Team Manitoba in 2009-10, leading them to a Canada Provincial Championship...Was an Captain for APHA Rangers Midget Female AA...Also a captain for St. Mary’s Academy High School...In 2008-09 she was a member of Manitoba Provincial finalists (APHA Rangers), Winnipeg Minor Hockey Association All-Star Team and Winnipeg Women’s High School Hockey League All-Star Team...She was also awarded the WWHSHL Top Defenseman Award...In 2007-08 she was a member of Manitoba Provincial Champions (APHA Rangers).

"Elisabeth will provide us a real steady type of defensemen that’s a very good skater and adds a physical presence to the game," said Means. “She provides us some much needed size on our blueline and possesses a very good shot as well”.

Tracy McCann, a 5-foot, 9-inch forward of Lakewood, Ohio, was a member of Ohio Flames...Finished with 75 goals and 69 assists in 75 games....Team qualified for USA Girls U-19 Nationals...Participant in USA Hockey Select 17 Festival...Had 32 goals and 57 assists in 76 games during 2008-09 season...Finished ninth in league scoring in 2008-09...Ohio Flames advanced to national tournament in 2009.

"Tracy is a player that is a good scorer and shown a knack to score all the time," said Means. “She also has very good foot speed and combined with her size, should make her a good player at this level”.

Nicole Germaine, a 5-foot, 6-inch forward of Clarendon Hills, Ill., and originally from Mississauga, Ont., was a member of Shattuck-St. Marys U-19 Girls Team...Won the Midwest Elite League scoring title with Team Illinois...won the Girls U-19 national championship in 2008-09.

"Nicole has a tremendous background in the game. She as a great feel for the game and good hockey smarts," said Means.

Kathleen Rogan, a 5-foot, 5-inch forward from Halifax, N.S., was a member of Shattuck St. Mary’s Girls Prep Team...2009-10 assistant captain...Won 2009 national championship with SSM...Finished runner up at 2010 USA National U-19 girls Championship...Finished the 2010 campaign with 34 goals and 45 assists in 56 games.

"Kathleen can play almost any position and is extremely intelligent," said Means. "She has very good stick skills and should gives us a scoring boost right away.

Danielle Scholzen, a 5-foot, 8-inch defenseman from Blaine, Minn., was a member of the Elite League championship team Minnesota Red and a participant in the Minnesota Junior Festival...The two-time all-conference player was voted Most Dedicated Player two years in a row...Was captain for the 2009-10 season...Voted Most Valuable Player of the lacrosse team.

"Danielle is a player who has tremendous speed, moves the puck well, is intelligent and brings more size," said Means. "I believe her best hockey is ahead of her because she has the raw tools that give her great room for improvement.

Kelsie Scott, a 5-foot, 8-inch forward from Souris, Man., is a member of Westman Wildcats...Member of 2009 Team Manitoba All-Star Team...Assistant captain 2009-10 season...Finished injury-plagued 2009-10 season with 12 goals and 12 assists...Led team in penalty minutes...Member of 2009 Provincial and National Championship Team...Member of 2008 Provincial Champions Hamiota Huskies...Member of 2009 rugby provincial champions...Top scorer and set provincial record for tries...Voted Rookie of the Year...Led Rivers, Man., spring soccer team in scoring in 2009.

"Kelsie is a tremendous athlete. She’s a MVP with a great attitude and great work ethic," said Means. "She’s going to get better and better as she focus solely on hockey because she’s gifted athletically."

Kari Lundberg, a 5-foot, 7-inch forward from Woodbury, Minn., is a member of Minnesota Thoroughbreds...Finished season with 96 points on 48 goals and 48 assists, in 61 games...Ohio Flames Tournament Champions...Assistant Captain 2009-10...Led Thoroughbreds in scoring last year...Member of 2008 Two Nations Female Hockey Champions...Honor Roll Student.

"Kari plays very hard and has always scored and she’s strong on skates," said Means. "She can play center or wing so she gives us versatility."

All signings are contingent upon admission to MSU and compliance with NCAA rules, including certification by the NCAA Clearinghouse.

2010-11 MSU Women’s Hockey Recruiting Class

Player	Pos.	Ht.	S/C	Hometown
Danielle Scholzen	Defense	5’8	R	Blaine, Minn.
Kari Lundberg	Forward	5’7	R	Woodbury, Minn.
Kelsie Scott	Forward	5’8	L	Souris, Man.
Nicole Germaine	Forward	5’6	R	Clarendon Hills, Ill.
Kathleen Rogan	Forward	5’5	R	Halifax, N.S.
Tracy McCann	Forward	5’9	L	Lakewood, Ohio
Elisabeth Hewett	Defense	5’9	R	Oak Bluff, Man.
Melissa Klippenstein	Forward	5'10	L	Neuberthal, Man.
Danielle Butters	Goaltender	5'8	R	London, Ont.
Darion Fontaine-Bruyere	Forward	5'3	L	Pine Falls, Man.

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Minnesota State Women's Hockey Program Inks Three to National Letters of Intent