What will Jim Plumer’s first recruiting class add to the University of Vermont women’s hockey program?
“The simple answer is quality and depth,” Plumer said recently of the seven incoming freshmen and one transfer.
“We have some top of the lineup kids … a couple of potential top six forwards,” he said.
A year ago, Plumer took over a program struggling to compete in Hockey East. By the season’s first game, his numerically small roster had been further depleted by injuries. Throughout the season, the Catamounts scrambled just to have three healthy lines or two sets of fit defensemen. Nevertheless, UVM set school records for Hockey East wins and points, though the gains were modest.
Now, with a year of players knowing the new coaches and coaches learning the players’ strengths, with key players finally healthy and with the influx of new talent, Plumer is optimistic that Vermont will have greater impact in the league.
One key returnee from injury will be Breanne Sundquist, who missed the entire 2012-13 season with injury. “She’s on track, she’s healthy and she’s worked out all spring,” Plumer said. “If Bre can stay healthy, we’re going to be pretty good on D.”
As for the newcomers, Ashley Salerno is one player Plumer knows well. He coached her for two years at Amherst College before he took the UVM job. Salerno remained at Amherst, where she was a co-captain, last winter but transferred to UVM for her senior year.
A two-time all-NESCAC second team defenseman, Salerno is a power play quarterback who is a very good two-way defender. She had three goals and 11 points in 25 games. In 80 career games for the Lord Jeffs, she had 13 goals and 42 points.
Leading the list of seven freshmen is goaltender Madison Litchfield of Williston. The class includes one defenseman and five forwards. Plumer’s snapshots of the freshmen:
D Rachel Ade, Davenport, FL; Boston Shamrocks: “She’s a smart defenseman who has a good shot and can make the good first pass on the breakout. Good passer, good shooter.” Ade had six goals and 13 points in 26 games as captain of the Shamrocks.
F Victoria Andreakos, Aurora, Ontario; Toronto Aeros: “She is a power forward with a scoring touch. She can win battles and is just overall a smart hockey player.” Andreakos helped Ontario Blue win the Canadian U-18 national championship. She had 11 goals and 26 points in 35 games for the Aeros.
F Bridget Baker, Los Gatos, CA; Pursuit of Excellence Hockey Academy: “She is really fast. She’ll be one of the fastest kids in the league. She’s strong on her skates and will give us a lot of push on the forecheck.” Her father is Jamie Baker, a former St. Lawrence standout and NHL veteran. She scored 13 goals and 26 points for PEHA.
F Cassidy Campeau, Nepean, Ontario; Nepean Wildcats: “She’s going to step into an important depth role. Cass isn’t flashy in any way but she always plays hard and has size. She’s a very good grinder.” The Wildcats’ captain, Campeau collected 12 goals and 25 points last year.
F Sarah Kelly, Vestal, NY; NAHA: “She’s a phenomenally tough player and grinder. She can play forward and D. This is a kid who can play with the best players or can anchor a third or fourth line. It’s huge for us to have that kind of depth.” She contributed seven points in 31 games for NAHA.
F Casey Leveille, Delanson, NY; Northfield Mount Herman: “This kid could be a diamond in the rough. She missed almost a year with an injury and people kind of forgot about her. She’s a skilled kid we think can surprise people.”
G Madison Litchfield, Williston; Boston Shamrocks: “Madi is a phenomenal goalie. She’s going to push (starter Roxanne Douville).” Named the JWHL goaltender of the year, she had a 2.53 GAA and a .928 save percentage in 18 games. She was ranked the No. 2 goalie at the USA Hockey’s U-17 National Development Camp.
Vermont’s recruiting extends beyond this incoming class, although Plumer cannot comment on any commitments until the student-athletes have signed a national letter-of-intent and been admitted to the university. However, various recruiting websites indicate four players have committed to joining UVM in 2014.
One is Molly Depew, a classic stay-at-home goaltender with size. The other three are defensemen: Taylor Willard, a U.S. U-18 team member who can run a power play; Amanda Drobot, who has the potential to be a dynamic, offensively skilled player; and Katherine Pate, a steady defender who can be the perfect complement to an offensive defenseman.
Contact Free Press correspondent Ted Ryan at TedRyanVT@aol.com or follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/TedRyanVT
