The United States women's collegiate hockey community gathered excitement this week as the national roster for the 2026 Collegiate Series was unveiled, featuring 25 athletes poised to contest a three‑game showdown against Canada’s National Development Team in British Columbia.
Sixteen of the 25 spots are allocated to the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, underscoring the conference’s recent ascendancy and its role as a talent incubator for elite women’s hockey.
Among them, the Wisconsin Badgers contribute five veterans — Maggie Scannell, Cassie Hall, Kelly Gorbatenko, Laney Potter and netminder Ava McNaughton — each bringing a blend of experience and fresh energy to the lineup.
Ava McNaughton earned a spot on the All‑WCHA Second Team, while Cassie Hall previously made the conference’s Third Team, highlighting the Badgers’ consistent production of high‑level talent.
Ohio State forwards Rylee Bartz, Kaia Malachino and Kassidy Carmichael add depth, while Minnesota’s trio of Maddie Kaiser, Ava Lindsay and Bella Fanale combined for 100 points in the 2025‑26 season, highlighting the conference’s offensive firepower.
Minnesota State goaltender Hailey Hansen and Minnesota Duluth forward Rae Mayer round out the WCHA contingent, illustrating the conference’s breadth across positions and institutions.
ECAC’s Ivy League Contributions
The ECAC contributed five selections, including Princeton’s Uma Corniea and Rosie Klein, Cornell’s Rose Dwyer, Harvard’s Emi Biotti and Yale’s Molly Boyle, an AHCA All‑American, providing a blend of Ivy League rigor and competitive edge.
Hockey East’s Defensive Prowess
Hockey East contributed its own slate, with Boston College’s Ava Thomas and Maddie Murphy, and Boston University’s Quinn Taylor, where Murphy leads defensive scoring among the conference’s standout players.
A Historic Rivalry Revisited
The series will take place in Richmond, British Columbia, with matches scheduled for August 12, 13 and 14, offering a rare trans‑border competitive window that promises high stakes and exposure for the sport.
The United States previously captured the first two games of last year’s Collegiate Series before a shootout loss in the finale, a narrative that adds a layer of redemption and motivation to the upcoming contests.
Beyond the immediate competition, the roster reflects a strategic emphasis on depth, experience and conference balance, a formula that selectors say will test the team’s adaptability against a Canadian side that has traditionally dominated international stages.