New Faces & New Leadership for UMD Women’s Hockey in 2025-2026 Season

UMD's season opener is September 19th at Mercyhurst University.

DULUTH, Minn.- We are just nine days away from the start of another UMD women’s hockey season.

After making it to the national tournament for the 5th straight year in their last campaign, UMD will try to work their way back there with a lot of new faces.

13 newcomers along with 10 returners will don a Bulldog sweater this upcoming season.

Speaking of new, UMD also has three new captains in MK O’Brien, Grace Sadura, and Tova Henderson.

Head Coach Laura Schuler says the traits of this year’s squad are a lot similar to those in year’s past.

“These are a group of kids who want to come to the rink each and every day. That are committed, that want to work hard. That want to be better than they were the day before and who love everything about UMD,” said Schuler.

“I’ve been able to learn from so many good leaders, great leaders during my five years here. So, just to be able to take those pieces and to be a leader myself, to be a better leader for the group, has been really cool,” added MK O’Brien.

“I’m just being myself. I don’t want to be anything I’m not or try to put on a show or whatever. I just try to be myself and be a good teammate to them,” said Grace Sadura.

Some of the notables joining the roster this year include Ohio State transfer Josie St. Martin and freshman Ella Pukala.

“I kind of knew from the start that UMD was kind of the place for me. So I just wanted to check off some of the boxes. I reached out to some of the former players that were here. Also, I knew I wanted to stay in the WCHA because I think it’s the most competitive league,” said St. Martin.

“For the culture, we strive for greatness every single day. Of course the coaching staff and then just of course the big arena. We have the best fans here in Duluth,” added Pukala.

UMD’s season opener is September 19th at Mercyhurst University.