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Maverick women’s hockey lands All-State talent for a second straight year

by Dan Myers
April 13, 2006

Minnesota State women's hockey coach Jeff Vizenor had a solid year on the recruiting trail after last season. The coach, entering his sixth season at MSU, brought in the most coveted trio in the state — South St. Paul's Maggie Fisher, Felicia Nelson and Ashley Young. Overshadowed by those three were Jenna Hewitt and Andrea Herold.

What Vizenor may not have expected were the rash of injuries that would infect his locker room, most notably to Hewitt and Young, who each missed all but one game of their freshman seasons. Both were allowed medical redshirt seasons, which means they both still have four years of eligibility remaining.

Nelson also struggled through injuries, but was still able to tally 10 goals despite missing 10 games. Herold was a pleasant surprise, playing in 28 games and improving each week while scoring three goals in her maiden campaign.

And while the newest class of Mavericks may not garner as many headlines as the last, this year's group has the chance to be just as productive.

Headlining the class is forward Christina Lee of Wayzata High School. Lee is a three-time All-State selection and has the ability to score in bunches. Vizenor compares her a lot to Fisher, who led MSU in goals last season with 16.

“She moves the puck so well, and has great vision on the ice,” Vizenor said. “She has a great hockey sense. She's also an extremely hard worker and a tough competitor.”

Another player with an All-State resume will join Lee up front, as Kala Buganski comes to Mankato from Anoka High School. Buganski will be reunited with Hewitt, her former teammate with the Tornadoes. An All-State honorable mention pick after this past season, Buganski was twice named All Northwest Suburban Conference. Vizenor says Buganski can be a lot like Young — SSPHS' all-time leader in assists and total points.

Both Lee and Buganski were top-10 finalists for the Ms. Hockey Award which is awarded to the best senior girls hockey player in Minnesota.

“She will need to get stronger when she gets here, but she is such a good playmaker,” Vizenor said. “We see her as someone who will continually grow as a player.”

Bringing much needed size is the final forward of the class, Jessica Knight. Knight an Alfred, Maine, native who played prep hockey at the North American Hockey Academy stands 5-feet-10 and will be a force in front of the net.

“She's a big, strong power forward,” Vizenor said. “N.A.H.A. plays such a strong schedule, so she will come in prepared.”

N.A.H.A. is considered a “hockey factory” according to Vizenor — an all-female school where each player learns their own curriculum sent to the school from their home high school. N.A.H.A. also has a great reputation nationally as a school that produces great hockey talent.

“I think she's a lot like Shera Vis,” Vizenor said. “I think this season, we will count on her to play a strong defensive role.”

Also in the class of 2006 is a trio of blueliners.

Of the defensemen, Holly Snyder from Kenosha, Wis., will have the most offensive potential. An all-conference selection twice while playing for the boys team at KHS, Snyder also played for the under-19 Madison Capitals, winning a pair of state championships.

“She's a great skater with great upside,” Vizenor said. “We are amazed how much better she gets every time we see her.”

Joining Snyder is Kathleen Rosso, from Buffalo, Minn., and Ida (pronounced EE-da) Clark, a Stockholm, Sweden native. Rosso's team struggled slightly this season after it was split up, but that didn't stop Rosso from nailing down her fifth varsity letter. She was also an All-State honorable mention pick as a junior. Clark comes to the United States as the first Swedish-born player recruited by the Mavericks. Like most Europeans, Clark has a great hockey sense and is a solid skater.

“She also brings an interesting cultural trait to our team,” Vizenor said. “She is going to be a lot of fun to have on campus.”