College Sports
Players aim to sharpen skills as BR.ICE summer hockey program kicks off second year
HOUGHTON, Mich. (WLUC) – Summer may be here, but that isn’t stopping hockey players from getting onto the ice. “My last time on the ice was April, and I broke my collarbone,” 8th grader Isacc Haugland said. “This is my first time back on the ice after that.” Haugland has been itching to play hockey […]

HOUGHTON, Mich. (WLUC) – Summer may be here, but that isn’t stopping hockey players from getting onto the ice.
“My last time on the ice was April, and I broke my collarbone,” 8th grader Isacc Haugland said. “This is my first time back on the ice after that.”
Haugland has been itching to play hockey again. He’s played since he was four years old and has wanted to play for even longer.
“It’s kinda just been a family thing,” Haugland continued. “Both my older brother and older sister played hockey. I’ve just wanted to play hockey since I was, like, two.”
The BR.ICE Hockey Development program is letting him get back in the game. The program started last year in Houghton and wrapped up its first program in Marquette last month. Haugland is joining 175 other players between 6 and 18 years old to sharpen their skills across several programs.
“Each program is different,” BR.ICE Hockey Development Owner Raymond Brice. “Our elite programs are progression programs for varsity athletes only. We want to push those kids to move on to the next level, teaching super detailed skills… and then for our younger groups, we’re trying to teach foundational skills. We want to preach good habits.”
The program is being held at Michigan Tech University’s MacInnes Student Ice Arena this year. Haugland is no stranger to the arena. He moved to the area from Ohio two years ago after already attending MTU hockey camps for several years. While currently playing on Calumet’s middle school hockey team, he hopes one day to wear the black, yellow and white.
“I’d like to go play college hockey, hopefully for Tech,” Haugland added. “One of the reasons we moved up here is multiple people in my family are looking towards going to Tech. I want to see if I can get a scholarship or at least play some juniors hockey.”
There is a very limited number of open slots still open for this year’s program, which runs until August. Costs vary depending on which program you sign up for, ranging from $300 to $610. To view openings, click here.
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Copyright 2025 WLUC. All rights reserved.
College Sports
Donovan, Ekoue, Stricker share Male Athlete of the Year honors
Story Links EAU CLAIRE, Wis. – Three University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire seniors have been named UW-Eau Claire’s Male Athletes of the Year for 2024-25. Nathan Donovan (Sr. – Hazel Green, Wis./Wahlert Catholic), Yakob Ekoue (Sr. – Hopkins, Minn.) and Jared Stricker (Sr. – High Bridge, Wis./Ashland) all finished their careers as some of the best […]


EAU CLAIRE, Wis. – Three University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire seniors have been named UW-Eau Claire’s Male Athletes of the Year for 2024-25. Nathan Donovan (Sr. – Hazel Green, Wis./Wahlert Catholic), Yakob Ekoue (Sr. – Hopkins, Minn.) and Jared Stricker (Sr. – High Bridge, Wis./Ashland) all finished their careers as some of the best in Division III history in their respective sports, earning them a three-way tie for this year’s award.
Donovan starred for the men’s soccer team, Ekoue was a national champion for the men’s track and field team, and Stricker won another national crown with the wrestling team.
Donovan became the first player in program history to earn United Soccer Coaches Division III National Player of the Year honors last fall. The two-time All-American led all of NCAA men’s college soccer — regardless of Division — in scoring with 26 goals this fall. He also had a team-high 15 assists for a total of 67 points. His goal and points totals both set new UW-Eau Claire single-season records. He was the United Soccer Coaches National Scholar Player of the Year, Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Kwik Trip Offensive Player of the Year as well as the Max Sparger Scholar-Athlete this season.
Donovan’s success was the Blugolds’ success. With Donovan leading the line, UW-Eau Claire won WIAC regular season and tournament championships and qualified for the NCAA Tournament for the third consecutive season. The Blugolds won 17 games this season and spent the entire year nationally ranked.
The senior forward’s career goes down as one of the best in the history of Division III men’s soccer. He ranks third in DIII history with 229 career points and fourth with 94 career goals.
Ekoue, like Donovan, was also the national athlete of the year in his sport. He was the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association’s NCAA Division III Field Athlete of the Year this spring, earning the honor for the second time in his career.
Ekoue won a second consecutive national championship in discus at the NCAA Division III Outdoor National Championships this season, setting a facility record in the process. He also placed third in both shot put and hammer throw to earn All-America honors in both events. He scored 22 team points for the Blugolds, helping the squad finish as national runner-up.
His efforts at nationals earned him Most Outstanding Field Performer of the Championships honors. It was his second time receiving that distinction.
Earlier in the season, Ekoue won a WIAC title in discus. He holds school records in both discus and hammer throw. He finished his Blugold career with 13 All-America honors and four national championships. He joined an elite group of athletes in Division III history to earn 10-plus All-America honors.
This marks the second consecutive year Stricker earned UW-Eau Claire Male Athlete of the Year honors. He became the first two-time national champion in the history of Blugold wrestling this winter. He went unbeaten at 43-0, posting the most victories by a Division III wrestler this season, as he clinched another 174-pound crown.
Stricker was named WIAC Wrestler of the Year for the second consecutive season and was named Most Outstanding Wrestler of the NCAA Championships. He finished his career with 169 victories, which is believed to rank in or near the top five in the history of Division III. There is no official leaderboard for career victories in Division III.
This season, Stricker became the WIAC’s all-time leader in career wins and also broke UW-Eau Claire’s career pins record with 75. He ended his career on a 71-match win streak, the longest in program history. He was a three-time All-American and four-time WIAC champion.
Off the mat, Stricker was named a National Wrestling Coaches Association Scholar All-American this season.
College Sports
NBA to take over operation of NBA TV, ending TNT Sports’ run
The NBA and TNT Sports are parting ways again. TNT Sports will no longer operate NBA TV and NBA.com as of October 1, CEO Luis Silberwasser said in a Friday memo obtained by Michael McCarthy of Front Office Sports. NBA TV, which will continue to air live games next season, had been run by TNT […]

The NBA and TNT Sports are parting ways again.
TNT Sports will no longer operate NBA TV and NBA.com as of October 1, CEO Luis Silberwasser said in a Friday memo obtained by Michael McCarthy of Front Office Sports. NBA TV, which will continue to air live games next season, had been run by TNT Sports since 2008.
While TNT’s settlement with the NBA requires it to create content for the NBA’s digital platforms, it is unclear whether there will be any TNT-produced content on NBA TV beyond the end of the current agreement.
The decision is not a surprise, as early reporting that TNT would continue running NBA TV and NBA.com as part of its settlement was immediately walked back. While Silberwasser said Friday that TNT had been in negotiations to continue running NBA TV, it is not clear whether the league was ever receptive.
With NBA TV originating from TNT’s Atlanta studios, the league-owned channel had for all intents and purposes become a part of the TNT Sports family. Most, if not all, of its on-air regulars held other roles on TNT programming — whether the now-concluded NBA package, the NCAA men’s basketball tournament, or in the case of hosts and play-by-play voices, any number of properties outside of basketball.
Prior to the TNT agreement, the network operated out of the league’s Secaucus, N.J., studios.
McCarthy initially reported that MLB Network has held early talks to potentially operate NBA TV, but that was retracted in a later update. The league instead intends to take production in-house.
College Sports
Patrick Reed, Harold Varner III lead LIV Golf Dallas :: WRALSportsFan.com
By The Associated Press CARROLLTON, Texas — CARROLLTON, Texas (AP) — Patrick Reed and Harold Varner III each shot 5-under 67 on Friday at Maridoe Golf Club to share the first-round lead in LIV Golf Dallas. Reed eagled the 655-yard, par-5 second hole and had four birdies and a bogey. Varner, Reed’s 4Aces teammate, had […]

CARROLLTON, Texas — CARROLLTON, Texas (AP) — Patrick Reed and Harold Varner III each shot 5-under 67 on Friday at Maridoe Golf Club to share the first-round lead in LIV Golf Dallas.
Reed eagled the 655-yard, par-5 second hole and had four birdies and a bogey. Varner, Reed’s 4Aces teammate, had six birdies and a closing bogey.
Jon Rahm was a stroke back. Abraham Ancer shot 69, and Dustin Johnson was at 70 with Graeme McDowell, Anirban Lahiri, Richard Bland and David Puig.
Bryson DeChambeau opened with a 72. He lives in Dallas and played his college golf at SMU.
Points leader Joaquin Niemann, coming off a victory at LIV Golf Virginia, shot 78. He had a 10 on the par-5 seventh.
Brooks Koepka withdrew during the round because of illness. He smashed a tee marker with his driver on the ninth hole.
___
AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf
College Sports
Top of the Draft: Introducing James Hagens
Boston College freshman James Hagens is a competitive, highly skilled center with elite vision, speed, playmaking, and smart two-way play. He’s already collected ample international medals and made a strong NCAA impact in his debut season, earning him a high reputation as a crafty, dynamic center. Although he’s dropped down some draft boards due to […]

Boston College freshman James Hagens is a competitive, highly skilled center with elite vision, speed, playmaking, and smart two-way play. He’s already collected ample international medals and made a strong NCAA impact in his debut season, earning him a high reputation as a crafty, dynamic center. Although he’s dropped down some draft boards due to his size and a freshman year at BC that was respectable but not necessarily spectacular, Hagens isn’t a contender for the No. 1 overall pick anymore but he’s still one of the best in this class — which is why the Hawks could have an eye on him at No. 3.
Summary
Hagens has long been the top American prospect — sometimes even the top prospect period — heading into the 2025 NHL Draft. He first made a statement during the 2022-23 season as part of the USA Hockey National Team Development Program, going a point per game no matter what league he was playing.
First, he lit up the scoresheet with the U17 squad, finishing second on that team with 66 points (26 G, 40 A) in 43 games. This earned Hagens a call-up to the U18 team, where he added another 19 points (7 G, 12 A) in 17 games — quite impressive for a 16-year-old. He also finished with 40 points (17 G, 23 A) in 31 games with the USNTDP Juniors in the USHL.
Hagens carried that momentum into the 2023–24 season: his 102 points (39 G, 63 A) in 53 games gave him the seventh best point-per-game rate (1.61) on the U.S. National U18 Team, just behind Auston Matthews (1.68) and Clayton Keller (1.67) but ahead of players like Patrick Kane (1.58), Matthew Tkachuk (1.46), and Jack Eichel (1.40). He also picked up another 47 points (18 G, 29 A) in 26 games with the NTDP’s USHL team.
After these performances, it’s no wonder Hagens was often considered the the top prospect heading into the 2024-25 season. Unfortunately, his offensive performance as a freshman at Boston College saw him drop from such lofty aspirations. He did produce at a point-per-game rate with 37 points (11 G, 26 A) in 37 games and elevated his two-way play, but after flourishing offensively in other leagues, the lack of production knocked him down a bit.
HAGENS TAKES THE LEAD FOR THE EAGLES WITH ONE MINUTE TO GO!!!!!#NCAAHockey x
ESPNU / @BC_MHockey pic.twitter.com/n5nMy2lieq
— NCAA Ice Hockey (@NCAAIceHockey) March 28, 2025
On the international stage, Hagens has worn the red, white, and blue with distinction at every level and has a pretty decorated junior resume. His international breakout came at the 2022 World U17 Hockey Challenge: he dominated the tournament with 21 points (8 G, 13 A) in just seven games, and led Team USA to a gold medal. This performance also set a new tournament record, surpassing the previous mark of 18 set by Colin White in 2014.
In 2023, Hagens suited up for the United States at the IIHF World U18 Championship, adding five points (1G, 4A) in seven games en route to winning gold. Hagens then helped Team USA to a silver medal at the 2024 U18 Worlds, leading all scorers with nine goals and 13 assists in seven games to make him MVP. He also set another new record: his 22 points inched past Nikita Kucherov’s 21-point record from 2011.
James Hagens how ya FEELIN’?#U18MensWorlds pic.twitter.com/yRs3btToTF
— USA Hockey (@usahockey) April 23, 2023
Players with 20+ single-tournament points in the U18 WJC:
1. James Hagens – 22; 2024
2. Nikita Kucherov – 21; 2011
3. Gavin McKenna – 20; 2024
4. Will Smith – 20; 2023
5. Jack Hughes – 20; 2019pic.twitter.com/wMOKcTgm2t— Justin Giampietro (@justingiam) June 8, 2025
Most recently, Hagens won gold with Team USA at the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship, recording nine points (5 G, 4 A) in seven games.
Strengths
James Hagens fits the mold of the modern NHL playmaker perfectly — fast, cerebral, and creative — and he has all the attributes to be a dynamic center with legitimate first-line upside.
Hagens has high-end skating that’s about more than just speed, because of how shifty, deceptive and fluid he can be. He sets the pace of play with ease, often catching defenders flat-footed with quick edgework and dynamic puck control. When he hits full stride, he becomes a constant threat off the rush and is capable of blowing past defenders and creating odd-man chances seemingly at will. Hagens is agile, and there’s a degree of dynamism in his skating that he applies in all three zones.
Was talking to a few scouts this summer about what gets a player to that next level. Our answer? The ability to utilize and manipulate space in the OZ
Heres James Hagens with a glorious example. Uses the space between his legs to escape pressure and find an easy assist.
@USHL pic.twitter.com/Uvgc44aLTW
— Foley (@NHLFoley) September 24, 2023
Hagens’ high hockey IQ and next-level vision allow him to dissect defenses, threading passes through traffic or creating time and space for linemates. Combined with near-elite hands, Hagens is one of the best playmakers in the class, consistently generating high-danger opportunities for his linemates. He does a nice job of mixing up how he makes plays, too: he can slow the game down when needed but can also accelerate through seams with quick bursts and pinpoint passing.
While he’s widely known for his playmaking chops, Hagens does have a good shot, although it’s the deceptive nature of his shooting that stands out. Despite being smaller, he is willing to drive hard to the net for scoring chances. There are some things about his shooting he needs to work out, but the elements are there to be at least a 20-goal scorer.
James Hagens scores again!
#U18MensWorlds #USASUI @usahockey pic.twitter.com/429jO5neCf
— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) May 2, 2024
Defensively, Hagens has a solid foundation and good habits, which should only improve as he gains more experience. He shows consistent effort on the backcheck and strong positional awareness. Additionally, Hagens’ good anticipation and on-ice vision allowed him to effectively disrupt shooting and passing lanes, and he was quite good at creating turnovers as a result.
Sorting through some James Hagens video today, how’s this for some nifty hand-eye on the assist. pic.twitter.com/BhHRSIRVa0
— jamisonderksen (@jamisonderksen) January 31, 2025
Hagens is also highly competitive and plays with a high-effort tempo that should endear him to many fans.
Weaknesses
While Hagens’ high-end skill set is undeniable, there are a few aspects of his game that have room for improvement.
At roughly 5-foot-11 and under 190 pounds, Hagens’ physical maturity remains a work in progress. For a player with a smaller frame, the margin for error tightens as the competition gets bigger, faster and stronger. He sometimes moves the puck too early under pressure of a hit or hard check, something that would be more exploited at high levels. As he graduates to the pro level, he’ll need to add strength to withstand the rigors of NHL battles, especially along the boards and in front of the net.
Despite being one of the best skaters in the draft class, Hagens did see a dip in his effectiveness in transition and play-driving while in the NCAA. He was elite in those skills previously, so he needs to figure out how to regain that level if he wants to truly be a star in the NHL.
Like many playmakers, Hagens does not always have the best shot selection, preferring to pass and defer to other shooters on his team. His shot arsenal is actually pretty varied and, as mentioned above, he can be sneaky but Hagens just does not shoot enough to be as effective a goal scorer. Increasing shot volume will be key to him becoming an equal threat with both passing and shooting at the professional level.
Another area that could use some refinement is his risk management with the puck. Hagens’ creativity is a hallmark of his game, but at times he can overextend plays, such as forcing passes that result in turnovers. In transition, he can try to do too much, such as attempts to push through opponents. Refining that balance between flair and puck security will be key to his long-term success at the next level.
While Hagens already has a good defensive base, he sometimes is caught puck watching or drifting out of position.
Quotes
Hagens is most often compared to Jack Hughes by scouts, primarily because they’re both smaller centers who skate well and are creative playmakers. Hagens himself stated he’s heard about the similarities between the two and agrees it’s accurate:
I’ve heard a lot of [comparisons to] Jack Hughes, just kind of the way he skates, the way he plays, the way he handles the puck. I think there’s a lot of pieces of his game that I can kind of see in mine.
James Hagens compares himself to @NJDevils Jack Hughes
![]()
2025 Draft Preview: https://t.co/smKk3NQdgQ pic.twitter.com/ew1xKVVl1i
— The Hockey News (@TheHockeyNews) June 24, 2025
However, there are some other players that Hagens resembles stylistically. For example, The Athletic‘s Corey Pronman likened Hagens to William Nylander, in terms of his offensive ceiling:
Hagens is a fantastic NHL prospect with the potential to be an impact offensive player. He has the tools to be a consistent 60-80 point forward in the league or better. My NHL comparison for him is William Nylander. He’s a legitimate top-five talent and would be a perfectly reasonable pick at No. 2 or 3.
And Shane Malloy from Hockey Prospect Radio believes that Hagens and Nick Suzuki share similar skating quality and skill sets:
James Hagens is recognized for his resilience and potential despite facing challenges in a demanding college environment. Competing against older, more experienced players, Hagens’ performance has drawn comparisons to Nick Suzuki, with his edge work and adaptability highlighting his skill set. While his point production was limited due to physical constraints and a tough competitive setting, his development of a 200-foot game and potential as a top-end center remain strong. The CHL’s less challenging environment might have boosted his stats, but his ability to adjust and grow in college underscores his long-term NHL promise.
College Sports
Seattle Kraken make young Alaska fan’s wish come true and inspire next wave of hockey players
NHL forward John Hayden, right, talks with young hockey players as part of Anchorage Hockey Academy summer camp’s Seattle Kraken week at Dempsey-Anderson Ice Arena in Anchorage on Thursday. (Marc Lester / ADN) Toward the end of last July, Reuben Seidl and his wife, Liz, noticed that their 2-year-old son Caleb wasn’t quite himself. He […]
Toward the end of last July, Reuben Seidl and his wife, Liz, noticed that their 2-year-old son Caleb wasn’t quite himself.
He was suffering from chronic fevers and fatigue, so they decided to take him to a medical provider to be evaluated. After getting some labs done, they received the news no parent ever wants to hear.
“We ended up being asked to go to the (emergency room) and he was diagnosed with leukemia a couple of days later,” Seidl said.
Caleb’s specific diagnosis is acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and his dad said that he has been “a trooper through the whole thing.”

Following the initial diagnosis, they spent 33 days in the hospital with their son. Now 3 years old, Caleb is almost at the tail end of the intensive part of his treatment, which is taking a full year, then he has to undergo 18 or so months of additional treatment. His current prognosis is “really great,” Seidl said.
Caleb’s current treatment plan has included visits to the hospital three or four times a week and getting different forms of chemotherapy and medication.
With his form of cancer and treatment plan, Caleb’s social interaction with others is limited — which is why when the opportunity to partner with the Make-A-Wish Foundation came up, the family welcomed the opportunity to uplift his spirits in whatever way they feasibly could, from a health standpoint.
“Make-A-Wish is a fantastic organization, and Caleb qualified for Make-A-Wish and they told us his wish is granted,” Seidl said. “Two of their ambassadors (in Alaska) came to our house and tried to see what a 3-year-old would really wish for because it’s really important that he gets something that he wants.”
Since his son has always loved hockey and the Seattle Kraken are his favorite team, they ultimately decided to partner with the team. The Kraken just so happened to be planning to come to Alaska for the annual Kraken Week youth hockey camp.
Caleb was the honored guest at a meet-and-greet with team officials Thursday morning at the Fly Trampoline Park in Anchorage. He was able to meet and play with Kraken forward John Hayden and team mascot Buoy.

“The timing worked out, they showed up and they’re going to host him at a game and let us do a lot of fun things down in Seattle next season,” Seidl said.
Caleb’s full wish will be granted when he and his family travel down to meet the whole team and tour Climate Pledge Arena this fall during the regular season.
Reuben and his son are regulars at Anchorage Wolverines home games — at least through the second period before it gets too close to Caleb’s bedtime. The only professional hockey game Reuben has ever attended in person was a matchup between the St. Louis Blues and Colorado Avalanche back in 2010. For his next pro hockey experience to be his son’s first makes it all the more special.
“It’s going to be awesome and I am so stoked,” Seidl said. “The Kraken is a great organization, the new stadium that they built is absolutely wild and I’m pumped to see it in person.”
Their family feels fortunate that Caleb has been able to get all the care and treatment he needs within Alaska instead of having to travel out of state, as some parents and families have needed to do.
“We were very lucky with that and were able to get some top-tier new immunotherapy for him that just got passed and out of the clinical trial stage for him a month before he was diagnosed,” Seidl said.
Caleb’s resiliency through this adversity at such a young age has been inspiring to those around him.
“He is the most resilient and happy kid with everything that’s going on,” Seidl said. “He doesn’t want to go and get all these treatments and all these shots and pokes, but he makes the best of it. We play at the places, say ‘hi’ to all the nurses and brighten up their day.”
Inspiring the next wave of Alaska players
This trip marked the first to Alaska for Hayden, who has thoroughly enjoyed himself so far.
“It’s awesome (and offers) a little bit of everything,” he said. “Meeting Caleb today, going to a hockey camp, and yesterday we were on a fishing trip, so it’s been great.”
Coming to Alaska in itself was a treat, but being able to do so for reasons like making a 3-year-old fan’s dream come true and giving back to the next generation of youth hockey players made it even more special and meaningful.
“It’s amazing and very inspiring to see Caleb’s demeanor,” Hayden said. “He’s been through a lot at a young age but all he does is smile and have a good time, so it’s really good perspective to be here and it’s special to be a part of it.”
Growing up in Denver, Hayden recalled attending hockey camps as a youth, skating with college and professional players from that area and how it “definitely had a big impact” on him. He hopes his presence will have a similar effect on the kids he interacted with during Thursday’s camp at Dempsey-Anderson Ice Arena.
“If we can help push and inspire the next wave of Alaskan hockey players, it’d be great, so (I’m) just here to encourage them, have some fun and be out there on the ice with them,” Hayden said.
Blake Kullberg will be a freshman next fall at Grace Christian School and was the youngest coach in the camp.
Getting the chance to share the same sheet of ice as Hayden was a great experience for coaches and campers alike.
“Honestly, if I had this experience as a little kid, I would’ve absolutely lost my mind,” Kullberg said. “I would’ve been up all night and wouldn’t have been able to sleep. Just being on the ice with someone who is at that level of the game is probably so cool for these kids.”
Kullberg opted to assist with the campers instead of being one himself all week despite his dad being the director of Anchorage Hockey Academy. Kullberg said he wanted to have fun with and help develop the younger kids, like his little sister, who was a camper.
She is a big fan of Buoy but was scared of the Kraken sea troll mascot initially when he first got on the ice. She warmed up to him after some encouragement from her big brother and other camp coaches.
Buoy sat down with ADN for an interview, but since he only speaks troll via nose squeaks, Hailey Robinson — an entertainment assistant with the Kraken — served as his official translator.
“Buoy absolutely adores getting out in the community and getting to see the fans,” Robinson said.
Robinson asked Buoy if his favorite thing about working with the Kraken is the number of kids he gets to bring joy to with his appearances. He nodded in approval.
“Especially something like this where (Caleb’s) life isn’t super fun when he’s in treatment, but for a day like today, we get to bring a lot of joy and that’s what Buoy is best at,” Robinson said.
The final event of Kraken Week will be a community skate at the Ice Chalet at Destination Dimond, inside the Dimond Center at 800 E. Dimond Blvd., from 3-7 p.m. Friday.
College Sports
In PWHL draft, Frost pick Kendall Cooper and two of her youth teammates
They played youth hockey together for a stacked Stoney Creek Sabres junior team from Ontario whose most threatening opponent might have been a pandemic. They went their separate ways to play college hockey — some 500 miles apart, from Lake Erie to the Atlantic Ocean — before the Frost and the PWHL draft brought them […]

They played youth hockey together for a stacked Stoney Creek Sabres junior team from Ontario whose most threatening opponent might have been a pandemic. They went their separate ways to play college hockey — some 500 miles apart, from Lake Erie to the Atlantic Ocean — before the Frost and the PWHL draft brought them back together.
They were reunited and became a professional trio when the Frost took their former Stoney Creek teammate Brooke Becker, a Providence defender, in the sixth and final round, 46th overall. They all had played youth hockey in Hamilton, Ontario, about an hour from Toronto.
In St. Paul for a Friday introduction, Cooper was asked just how high she leapt when pal Upson’s name was called in the fifth round by the two-time Walter Cup champion Frost.
“It felt like a [personal record], honestly,” Cooper said. “I was so excited. I didn’t want to take the spotlight away from her. Hopefully, I didn’t. We were talking about it afterward; it was so cool.”

Vanessa Upson played for Mercyhurst before getting drafted by the Minnesota Frost. (Cameron Horning, Mercyhurst athletics) (Cameron Horning/Mercyhurst athletics)
The Frost’s draft-night decisions included connections beyond that, too. They took two former St. Lawrence teammates, too: Abby Hustler in the second round and Anna Segedi in the third.
Hustler and Segedi hung out together before the draft in Ottawa.
“We’re just super supportive of each other,” said Segedi, who has played for China’s national team. “We’ve been friends since she came to St. Lawrence. We played together for the last couple years. She’s really a special player. I really am looking forward to continuing working with her. Maybe we can live together or something like that.”
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