BOSTON – The Boston University women's ice hockey program will welcome eight newcomers for the 2017-18 season, head coach
Brian Durocher announced on Monday.
"This class is another testament to the time, concern and effort that Katie Lachapelle and Allison Coomey directed towards our program," Durocher said. "I am very appreciative of their tireless work ethic in assembling this class. Once again our staff focused on quality student-athletes who would make a difference on the ice, in the classroom and throughout the community."
Four forwards, three defenders and one goaltender will join a roster of 15 returning letter winners from last year's squad. Six of the newcomers –
Rachel Allen,
Jesse Compher,
Nara Elia,
Lauren Klein,
Corinne Schroeder and
Kristina Schuler – are freshmen. The Terriers will also welcome two transfers to the team.
Reagan Rust arrives on Commonwealth Avenue from RIT while
Abbey Stanley previously played at North Dakota.
"This group will bring size, skill and character to our program," Durocher said. "With a pair of transfers we will have some extra experience on the ice and in the locker room. I look forward to the many contributions this class will bring to our hockey team and to Boston University."
Rachel Allen (Cary, N.C./Gilmour Academy)
BEFORE BOSTON UNIVERSITY
Played four seasons at Gilmour Academy, captaining the squad as a junior and a senior … Led Gilmour to its first-ever district championship and a national tournament appearance in 2016-17 … Attended the USA Hockey Player Development Camp in 2013 and 2014.
Durocher on Allen: Rachel is a player who brings excellent energy and compete to the game. She has the ability to play both forward and defense. I would expect her to line up at forward in the fall. Had a very successful career at Gilmour Academy and helped lead them to the national tournament in 2017.
Jesse Compher (Northbrook, Ill./Chicago Mission)
BEFORE BOSTON UNIVERSITY
Two-time gold medalist with the U.S. Under-18 Team at the IIHF Women's World Championship, helping Team USA win gold in 2017 and 2016 … Recorded an assist and was a plus-four in five tournament games in 2017 … Spent three seasons with the Chicago Mission U19 team, serving as captain during her final two years … Won a national title in 2014-15 … Finished second at the national championships in 2016-17 and helped her club take third in 2015-16 … Also won four consecutive state championships.
Durocher on Compher: Jesse has the ability to play all three positions at forward. She will bring size, reach and complete to our program. With her Chicago Mission team and the U.S. Under-18 squad she was always considered a leader and three-zone player.
Nara Elia (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan/Okanagan Hockey Academy)
BEFORE BOSTON UNIVERSITY
Won a silver medal with Canada at the 2017 IIHF Women's World Under-18 Championship … Finished the tournament with one assist … Spent the last season with Okanagan Hockey Academy, scoring seven goals and adding 16 assists for 23 points in 16 games … Twice played for Saskatchewan at the National Women's Under-18 Championship (2015, 2016) … In 2015-16, skated for the Notre Dame Hounds, scoring 32 points (14g, 18a) in 28 games … Won a bronze medal with the Saskatoon Stars and was named Most Sportsmanlike Player at the 2015 Esso Cup, Canada's National Female Midget Championship … Skated for the Stars from 2013-15, recording 61 points (31g, 30a) in 51 games.
Durocher on Elia: Nara will bring good size, strength and hockey sense to our program. She is a natural wing who will generate offense in multiple ways. Has the potential to score the tough goals in traffic and around the net.
Lauren Klein (Minnetonka, Minnesota/Northwood School)
BEFORE BOSTON UNIVERSITY
Played a post-graduate season at Northwood School in Lake Placid, New York … Played all 55 games in 2016-17, scoring 33 goals and adding 26 assists for 59 points en route to receiving NAPHA All-League honors … Skated for the varsity hockey team at Minnetonka High School during her sophomore, junior and senior seasons … Finished her career at Minnetonka with 59 career points in 80 games … Helped lead Minnetonka to the state title game as a junior … Was a two-time Lake Conference honorable mention selection.
Durocher on Klein: Lauren will be another freshman with size and a good hockey background. She too will be counted on to score goals in the tough areas while winning battles along the walls. Her post-graduate year at Northwood continued to prepare her for the challenges that lie ahead.
Reagan Rust (Southaven, Miss./RIT)
BEFORE BOSTON UNIVERSITY
Skated for RIT for two seasons (2015-17) … Finished third on the team in scoring last year with 14 points on three goals and a team-high 11 assists ... Named to the CHA All-Rookie Team in 2016 after recording career highs in points (18), goals (5) and assists (13) … Her 13 assists that year were tops on the team … Prior to attending RIT, played for the Pittsburgh Penguins Elite U19 Team … Recorded 23 goals and 15 assists for 38 points in 55 games during the 2014-15 season.
Durocher on Rust: Reagan joins our squad after two seasons at RIT. She is a smart player who has played forward and defense over the years. I expect her to assist our blueline crew with her skill and solid positional play. Her experience at the college level should be an asset for our young D corps.
Corinne Schroeder (Elm Creek, Man./Balmoral Hall)
BEFORE BOSTON UNIVERSITY
Won a silver medal with Canada at the 2017 IIHF Women's World Under-18 Championship … Part of Team Canada roster for 2016 summer series against the United States … Played for Balmoral Hall, posting a .926 save percentage and a 2.54 goals-against average in 15 games during the 2016-17 season … Finished the 2015-16 campaign at Balmoral Hall with a .944 save percentage and a 1.97 GAA in 21 games … Also backstopped Team Manitoba at the 2016 National Women's Under-18 Championship.
Durocher on Schroeder: Corinne is a tall and athletic goaltender who fills the net. She had success at the Balmoral School and with this year's Canadian Under-18 team. She is someone who may still have her best years ahead of her.
Kristina Schuler (Webster, N.Y./Choate Rosemary Hall)
BEFORE BOSTON UNIVERSITY
Played three seasons of varsity hockey at Choate Rosemary Hall … Captained the squad as a senior and won the Caroline Ruutz-Rees Award for the greatest contribution to athletics in the sixth form … Won similar awards for "greatest contribution to athletics" as a junior and a sophomore … Won the Excellence in Hockey Award in 2016 … Named the team's most improved player in 2015 … Also played varsity lacrosse and was the selected as the most improved player as a senior.
Durocher on Schuler: Kristina is a very competitive player who skates well and has good on ice vision. She has adept passing skills and shoots the puck well. She plays well in all three zones and has been considered a high-character player with all of her former programs.
Abbey Stanley (St. Louis, Mo./North Dakota)
BEFORE BOSTON UNIVERSITY
Transfer from North Dakota … Appeared in 33 games for the Fighting Hawks last season as a redshirt freshman … Tallied six points (2g, 4a) for North Dakota, including her first collegiate goal on Oct. 14 against Minnesota State … Prior to arriving at UND, skated for the Minnesota Jr. Whitecaps … Helped her team to a second-place finish at the national tournament … Skated for the United States Under-18 Team in a summer series against Team Canada in 2015 … Earned all-state honors as a sophomore in high school.
Durocher on Stanley: Abbey is the second transfer that will be part of the 2017-2018 squad. She arrives from North Dakota and will be counted on as an experienced college hockey defenseman. She brings good size, skating ability and offensive skills. I expect her to contribute on both special teams and all even-strength situations.
