Lindenwood University’s women’s hockey program has unveiled its 2026‑27 roster, a blend of 14 returning players and 12 fresh faces that promise to carry the momentum from a breakthrough season.
A Global Mix of Talent
The incoming class features players from across Europe and North America, including forwards from Norway, a defenseman from Italy, a forward from Hungary, and goaltenders from Sweden and the United States.
Tiril Arntzen, a forward from Oslo, brings Norwegian National Team experience after stints with Valerenga, while Tilde Simensen, also from Halden, previously skated for Stavanger Oilers. Thea Rustbakken, a defenseman from Oslo, joins after playing for Lillehammer and representing Norway internationally.
Defenseman Maddalena Bedont hails from Masi Di Cavalese, Italy, where she has worn the Italian National Team jersey and competed in the domestic league, and forward Krisztina Weiler from Budapest, Hungary, adds experience from the OHA Mavericks and the Hungarian national side.
From the United States, Kate Graham of Port Huron, Michigan, and Raquel McCormack of West Bend, Wisconsin, arrive with strong club backgrounds at Detroit Little Caesars and the Milwaukee Jr. Admirals 16U program.
In net, Eva Filippova, a redshirt‑senior transfer from Bemidji State, brings 37 career appearances, while Emmi Mourujarvi, a senior transfer from Mercyhurst, contributes three seasons of collegiate play. Freshman goaltender Ebba Ridderstolpe from Botkyrka, Sweden, rounds out the group after 40 games in Sweden’s U16 league.
The newcomers will be joined by 14 returners, including key contributors from the 2025‑26 campaign that set a program record with 14 wins and produced the team’s first playoff victory since 2017, a 3‑1 upset over sixth‑seeded Robert Morris in the AHA Tournament.
With the roster now set, the Lions look to translate their early success into a sustained push for conference contention as the new season approaches.