2008-09 Season Outlook
- Head coach Brad Frost enters his second season at the helm of the Minnesota women's hockey team. After holding an interim title last year, Frost was hired on April 16 to take over the Golden Gopher program. Frost led the team to a second-place finish in the WCHA and a NCAA quarterfinal appearance with a 27-7-4 record. He was also voted by his peers as the WCHA?Coach of the Year and was a ACHA Division I Coach of the Year finalist.
- Following his hiring, Frost hired two new assistant coaches in Jamie Wood and Natalie Darwitz. Wood, who comes to Minnesota from Maritime Hockey Academy, was the head coach of Elmira. During his tenure, Wood led the Soaring Eagles to both of their national championships in 2002 and 2003 and was named the Division III Coach of the Year in 2002.
- Natalie Darwitz joins the Gopher staff after coaching a year with Eagan High School. One of the most decorated players in Gopher history, Darwitz was a three-time All-American and Patty Kazmaier finalist from 2002-2005. Leading the school record in career points (246), Darwitz is also a member of the U.S. National Team and a two-time Olympian.
- The Maroon and Gold returns its top point producer in senior forward and All-American Gigi Marvin. In 38 games last season, Marvin tallied a team-high 54 points. She was the Gophers' first All-American and Patty Kazmaier finalist since Natalie Darwitz and Krissy Wendell accomplished the feat in 2005.
- Minnesota graduated four forwards from last year's team, but return eight forwards in 2008-09. Along with Marvin, the Gophers return juniors Kelli Blankenship, Brittany Francis and Jaimie Horton and sophomores Laura May, Terra Rasmussen, Jen Schoullis and Emily West.
- The Gophers also return one of its top defensemen in Rachael Drazan. In her first year with Minnesota, Drazan netted 10 goals and 17 assists for 27 points and was a first-team All-WCHA selection.
- Arguably one of Minnesota's deepest positions is on the blue line. Along with Drazan, the Gophers return five veteran defensemen in seniors Melanie Gagnon and Dagney Willey and juniors Michelle Maunu and Alexandra Zebro.
- The Gopher goaltending is deep as well with senior Kim Hanlon and sophomore Jenny Lura returning to the team this year. Hanlon played in 22 games, posting a 17-3-2 record, while Lura held a 10-4-2 mark in 16 games.
- Although the Golden Gophers graduated five from last year's team, Minnesota welcomes eight newcomers to the roster for 2008-09. Incoming freshmen include Ms. Hockey award winner Sarah Erickson (LaPorte, Minn.), Goalie of the Year Alyssa Grogan (Eagan, Minn.), Jocelyne Lamoureux (Grand Forks, N.D.), Monique Lamoureux (Grand Forks, N.D.), Nikki Ludwigson (Bloomington, Minn.), Anne Schleper (St. Cloud, Minn.) and Kelly Seeler (Eden Prairie, Minn.). The Gophers also add Chelsey Jones (Stillwater, Minn.), who transferred to Minnesota from Northeastern.
- The Golden Gophers will host 18 regular season games as well as the WCHA FINAL FACEOFF, March 7-8 at Ridder Arena. Of the nine opponents coming to Ridder Arena this season, three competed at the 2008 NCAA Frozen Four in Harvard, Minnesota Duluth and Wisconsin. Minnesota opens the home season with two exhibition games on Sept. 26 and Sept. 28 against Saskatchewan and the United States National Team.
