Wisconsin Women’s Hockey 2010-2011 Incoming Class

  They realized that it would be a tough season and Interim Head Coach Tracey DeKeyser was looking forward to the challenge and honor of coaching the team during Coach Mark Johnson’s sabbatical to coach the USA Women’s hockey team.

The team had graduated six seniors from the 2008-2009 team, which had won the National Championship.  They were missing junior Hilary Knight and senior Meghan Duggan due to them making the 2010 Olympic team.  The 2009-10 hockey team may have performed better than some expected, while many people referred to this as a “rebuilding year”.  The dedication of the team and coaching staff was evident anytime you had the chance to watch them.

This year the Badgers need to replace four seniors which graduated this season.  They welcome the return of Hilary Knight and Meghan Duggan and the experienced they gained playing under the bright lights of the Olympics.  The experience gained by the players and coaches through last season will have them prepared to challenge for their fourth national championship in six years.  Head Coach Mark Johnson returns to the bench.  Interim Head Coach Tracey DeKeyser did an excellent job filling in for Coach Johnson and had the following to say to the Badger Herald:

“One main difference I particularly relish about being an assistant coach is the ability to be part of the background.  As much as I enjoy speaking with people and taking charge of various team related tasks, …..I’ll be fine with the reduced spotlight and media attention next season.”

The Badger Women’s hockey team will welcome five new players to the fold next season.  The players are:  Brittany Ammerman of River Vale, NJ; Kelly Jaminski of Wisconsin Rapids, WI; Madison Packer of Birmingham, MI; Laurel Miller of Ramsey, MN and Alex Rigsby of Delafield, WI.

Let’s meet these young ladies:

Brittany Ammerman

Hometown:  River Vale, NJ

Position: Forward

Height: 5’ 6”

S/C:  Left

Last Team:  North American Hockey Academy in Stowe, VT

As a freshman, Brittany played for the U-16 New Jersey Colonials and led the team in scoring as the youngest player on the team.  She played for NAHA White as a sophomore, where she was the youngest player and fifth on the team in points.  Junior season led the team in scoring and served as an assistant captain.  Senior season led the team in scoring through 30 games and was the team captain.

• Member of 2009 U18 World Champion Team USA (scored first goal of gold medal game)
• Member of the 2008 & 2009 U18 USA Select teams that competed in a 3 game series against Canada in Lake Placid (2008) and Calgary (2009)
• National Camp Attendee at the ages of 14, 15, 16 and 17
• 2009 All-star Team at National Camp
• Honor roll student
• National Honor Society Member
• Spanish National Honor Society Member

Assistant Coach Tracey DeKeyser on Ammerman:  “Brittany is a dynamic forward that brings great energy to the game and to those around her on the ice.  Brittany should add another dimension to our offensive corps next season with her speed and playmaking ability.”

Kelly Jaminski

Hometown:  Wisconsin Rapids, WI

Position:  Defense

Height:  6’ 0”

S/C:  Left

Last Team:  Detroit Little Caesars AAA Hockey Club, Girls U19 Team in Detroit, MI

Kelly served as co-captain of the Wisconsin Rapids Boys AAA Bantam hockey team as a freshman.  As a sophomore, she competed for the Girls U19 Madison Capitals AAA hockey team.  Her junior and senior year of high school found her playing for the Girls U19 Detroit Little Caesars AAA team.  She was an assistant captain as a senior.

• Attended National Development Camps in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009
• Competed for the Boys Central WI AAA summer hockey team
• Competed in varsity volleyball and track & field in high school
• Earned Most Improved Player in Volleyball as a freshman
• Highest Honor Roll
• Received Student-Athlete Award as a freshman
• Key Club Member
• Student Council Member
• Volunteered at Local Humane Society, Polish Veterans Home and Neighborhood Table

Assistant Coach Tracey DeKeyser on Jaminski:  “We are excited to have yet another Wisconsinite join the Badger squad in Kelly Jaminski.  Kelly has played the last two seasons with the Little Caesars organization alongside fellow incoming freshman, Madison Packer.  We expect Kelly to be a physical presence on the blue-line, while contributing offensively as well.”

Alex Rigsby

Hometown:  Delafied, WI

Position:  Goaltender

Height:  5’ 7”

S/C:  Left

Last Team:  (Milwaukee Junior Admirals and U18 Women’s USA Team)

Alex played for the Chicago Mission AAA ’92 Boys Bantam team as a freshman.  Her sophomore and junior years found her playing for the Milwaukee Jr. Admirals AAA Boys Midget Minors.  As a senior, Alex played for the Milwaukee Jr. Admirals AAA Boys Midget Majors.

• Drafted by the USHL Chicago Steel in 2009.  First female ever drafted into the USHL.
• Won gold in the 2009 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship, while playing with the U18 Women’s National Team as the top goaltender.  (She had a .947 save percentage and a 1.28 GAA)
• Named Best Goalie by the IIHF Tournament Directorate at the 2010 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship
• Member of the 2008 & 2009 U18 USA Select teams that competed in a 3 game series against Canada in Lake Placid (2008) and Calgary (2009)
• Participated in the 2008 & 2009 USA Hockey Women’s National Festival
• Attended National Development Camps in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009
• Participated in Warren Strelow’s National Goaltending Camp in 2009
• Played WIAA Girls lacrosse for Arrowhead as a freshman and sophomore winning two state titles in 2007 & 2008
• Honor Roll Member

Assistant Coach Tracey DeKeyser on Rigsby:  “Playing for the Milwaukee Jr. Admirals in such a competitive hockey league, Alex should be well prepared for the college ranks next season.  She is a gifted goaltender and we expect great things for Alex during her career at Wisconsin.”

Laurel Miller

Hometown:  Ramsey, MN

Position:  Defender

Height:  5’ 9”

S/C:  Left

Last Team:  Totino-Grace High School

Laurel played for the Totino-Grace High School Varsity team every year she was eligible in Minnesota.  She was a team captain her sophomore, junior and senior years of high school.  She had 40 points her senior year (16 goals, 24 assists).

• Six year Varsity Hockey Letter Winner
• Three time All-Conference after receiving All-Conference Honorable Mention as a freshman
• All-State Coaches Association as a senior
• Minneapolis Star Tribune All-Metro Third Team as a senior
• St. Paul Pioneer Press All-State Honorable Mention as a senior
• Associated Press All-State Honorable Mention as a senior
• Team MVP and Best Defensive Player as a senior
• High School Hobey Baker Award
• Team’s Hardest Worker Award as a freshman, sophomore and junior
• Team’s Most Spirited Award as a seventh and eighth grader
• All-State Academics as a freshman
• All-Section Academics and All-Conference Academics as a senior
• Four year member of A & B Honor Roll
• Four year member of Positive Peer Leadership Program
• Student Ministry Program (as a junior and senior)
• Member of the Student Ambassador Program
• Volunteered with:  Feed My Starving Children; Meals on Wheels; Saint John the Baptist Service Project; Victims of Katrina and numerous other community service projects

Assistant Coach Tracey DeKeyser on Miller: “Laurel is a hard working player whose tenacity and unselfish play will further strengthen our defensive corps this coming season.”

Madison Packer

Hometown:  Birmingham, MI

Position:  Forward

Height:  5’ 9”

S/C:  Right

Last Team:  Detroit Little Caesars AAA Hockey Club, Girls U19 Team in Detroit, MI

Madison competed for the Girls U19 Detroit Little Caesars AAA team.  She was teammates with Kelly Jaminski.

• Four Time Michigan State Champions
• Participated in the 2007 & 2008 USA Hockey National Tournament and won bronze as a freshman (2007) and silver as a sophomore (2008)
• Had 151 points in 60 games as a senior (98 goals, 53 assists)
• Attended National Development Camps in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009
• Member of U.S. Women’s U18 World Championships teams in 2008 & 2009 (alternate team captain in 2009)
• Two time participant of the IIHF World Women’s U18 Championships in Calgary, Alberta (2008) and Fussen, Germany (2009)

Assistant Coach Tracey DeKeyser on Packer:  “Madison has proven to be a powerful offensive threat, with notable puckhandling skills and a great vision for the game.  She is a hard-working hockey player who should make a significant impact at the college level”