A New Era for Brown Bears Hockey
Brown University has unveiled a six‑player recruiting class that will join the Bears' women's ice hockey program for the 2030 academic year, a move that underscores the university's ambition to blend athletic excellence with its renowned open curriculum.
The incoming cohort features a mix of standout forwards, a goaltender, and a versatile playmaker, each bringing a blend of on‑ice achievements and academic promise that aligns with Brown's interdisciplinary ethos.
A Talent‑Rich Incoming Class
Keira Austen, a Deerfield Academy alumna and member of the 2023 USA Hockey U16 T1 National Champion team, arrives with All‑NEPSAC honors and a reputation for clutch performances in high‑stakes games.
Boglarka Bahiczki‑Toth, who starred for NAHA and the Hungarian national side, capped her senior season with 28 goals and 13 assists, earning the 2026 Forward of the Year award in the NAHA Navy circuit.
Maggie Berleth, a graduate of St. Paul's School and a key contributor to Assabet Valley, was recognized as All‑NEPSAC Ice Hockey for the 2025‑26 season after posting 33 points during her high school career.
Ryleigh Maxwell, who guarded the net for the Barrie Sharks, posted a 1.76 goals‑against average and a .925 save percentage in 2025‑26, and earned two‑time Junior and Senior Female Athlete of the Year accolades.
Uma Peterson, a Durham West Lightning Jr. standout, helped Team Ontario Blue secure bronze at the 2025 National Women's U18 Championship and reached the finals of the OWHL U22 Elite League.
Anika Singh, a Buckingham Browne & Nichols School alumnus and Massachusetts Spitfires Club veteran, accumulated 53 assists and 88 points in 35 career games, culminating in an All‑NEPSAC selection.
Why Brown?
All six athletes cited Brown's competitive hockey environment, its open curriculum that encourages academic exploration, and the university's inclusive community as decisive factors in their commitment.
Coach Mel Ruzzi, who has guided the program for several seasons, expressed enthusiasm about the new talent, noting that the recruits will help sustain the Bears' upward trajectory in collegiate hockey.