Connecticut won their first conference title last season and I see no reason to think they won’t repeat this year, particularly as they return their stellar goaltending tandem. If they can add some consistent scoring, they’ll be in the driver’s seat. That being said, this is probably one of the most wide open years for this conference in a decade. There’s a ton of opportunity here if someone has the wherewithal to grasp it.
Boston College
Last Season
15-14-7, 13-9-5 (fourth). Lost to Connecticut in the Hockey East semifinals.
Key Returners
Sophomores Sammy Taber and Molly Jordan
Key Departures
Sammy Smigliani (graduation), Sidney Fess (Clarkson)
Most intriguing newcomer
Freshman Alana Devlin
Prediction
Fourth
Boston University
Last Season
14-18-3, 12-14-1 (seventh). Lost to Holy Cross in the opening round of the Hockey East tournament.
Key Returners
Senior goalie Callie Shanahan, sophomore Alex Law
Key Departures
Brooke Disher (Ohio State)
Most intriguing newcomers
Freshman Lola Reid, fifth-year Lindsay Bochna (Providence)
Prediction
Seventh
Connecticut
Last Season
25-8-5, 19-4-4 (first). Earned their first ever NCAA Tournament berth, but lost to Minnesota Duluth in overtime in the opening round.
Key Returners
Fifth-year Jada Habisch, senior goaltenders Tia Chan and Megan Warrener
Key Departures
Coryn Tormala (graduation), Kathryn Stockdale (Quinnipiac)
Most intriguing newcomer
Freshman Claire Murdoch
Prediction
First
Holy Cross
Last Season
8-24-3, 4-20-3 (tenth). Lost to Connecticut in the Hockey East Tournament quarterfinals.
Key Returners
Junior Alexia Moreau, senior Emilie Fortunato
Key Departures
Millie Sirum (Providence), Bryn Saarela (Syracuse)
Most intriguing newcomer
Redshirt freshman Kenzee Hope (St. Cloud State)
Prediction
Tenth
Maine
Last Season
15-18-2, 11-14-2 (eighth). Lost to Merrimack in the opening round of the Hockey East Tournament.
Key Returners
Seniors Mira Seregély and Jamie Grinder
Key Departures
Fifth-years Ida Kuoppala and Ann-Frederique Guay (graduation)
Most intriguing newcomer
Freshman Frederikke Foss
Prediction
Eighth
Merrimack
Last Season
11-22-3, 7-17-3 (ninth). Lost to Northeastern in the Hockey East quarterfinals.
Key Returners
Juniors Calli Hogarth and Sophie McKinley
Key Departures
Celine Tedenby (graduation), Allie Qualley (St. Cloud State)
Most intriguing newcomer
Freshman goalie Margaux Favre
Prediction
Ninth
New Hampshire
Last Season
18-16-2, 14-11-2 (third). Lost to Northeastern in the Hockey East semifinals.
Key Returners
Senior Kira Juodikis, sophomore Sedona Blair
Key Departures
Charli Kettyle (Syracuse), Annie Berry (graduation)
Most intriguing newcomer
Fifth-year Sara Boucher (Mercyhurst)
Prediction
Third
Northeastern
Last Season
25-11-3, 16-8-3 (second). Lost to Connecticut in overtime in the Hockey East championship game.
Key Returners
Senior Skylar Irving, junior Jules Constantinople
Key Departures
Gwyn Philips and Megan Carter (graduation)
Most intriguing newcomers
Freshmen Tuva Kandell and Lisa Jönsson
Prediction
Second
Providence
Last Season
13-17-5, 12-10-5 (fifth). Lost to Boston College in the Hockey East quarterfinals.
Key Returners
Junior Reichen Kirchmair, sophomore Audrey Knapp
Key Departures
Rachel Weiss (graduation), Lindsay Bochna (Boston University)
Most intriguing newcomer
Freshman Jessie Pellerin
Prediction
Sixth
Vermont
Last Season
13-17-5, 11-12-4 (sixth). Lost to New Hampshire in the Hockey East quarterfinals.
Key Returners
Senior Evelyne Blais-Savoie, junior Lara Beecher
Key Departures
Natálie Mlýnková (Minnesota), Jessie MacPherson (Minnesota State)
Most intriguing newcomer
Freshman Oona Havana
Prediction
Fifth
