The Minnesota State women's hockey program has announced its leadership lineup for the 2026‑27 season, appointing Hailey Hansen as captain and naming Lauren Zawoyski and Sophie Stramel as alternate captains. The announcement underscores a mix of veteran presence and rising talent that the coaching staff believes will drive the team forward in the WCHA.
Captain's legacy
Hansen enters her senior year as the program's all‑time leader in career wins and saves, with 28 victories and 2,051 stops that place her second and sixth respectively in school history. A standout goaltender, she earned WCHA Scholar Athlete honors twice and was selected for the US College Selects Team in Richmond, British Columbia, showcasing her national caliber.
Alternate captains bring experience and spark
Lauren Zawoyski, a defenseman who has appeared in 113 games over three seasons, contributed 28 points (4 goals, 24 assists) last year and led the team with 18 assists and 39 blocked shots. Her defensive reliability earned her a finalist spot for the WCHA Outstanding Student Athlete of the Year after the 2025‑26 season. Sophie Stramel, a forward in her sophomore year, impressed as a freshman with 12 points (4 goals, 8 assists) in 38 appearances and topped the roster with 33 blocks and 286 faceoff wins, leading all forwards in those categories.
The Mavericks will open the season at home against RPI on September 25‑26, with matches scheduled for 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. The games mark the first step of a schedule that blends veteran leadership with promising youth, and they will be played in front of fans across Minnesota, including the campus hubs of Blaine, Edina, Apple Valley, and Mankato.
Looking ahead
Coach Shari Dickerman praised the trio for their on‑ice impact and off‑ice leadership, noting that Hansen's experience, Zawoyski's defensive reliability, and Stramel's offensive spark should help the team compete strongly in the WCHA and beyond. The organization, Minnesota State University, looks forward to a season that promises both competitive play and community engagement.