MANKATO, Minn.--- Minnesota State women's hockey coach John Harrington has announced that six student-athletes have signed national letters of intent to attend Minnesota State University.

This year's early signing class is comprised of three forwards, two defensemen and one goaltender. 

Charlotte Akervik, a Eau Claire, Wis., native, is in her fourth season as a defenseman for the Eau Claire North Stars and was an assistant captain last season. A member of the varsity team since her freshman year, Akervik has amassed 39 goals and 83 assists for 122 points in her high school career, including career bests in goals (20), assists (37) and points (57) in 2016-17. She has been a nominee for the Defenseman of the Year Molly Engstrom Award the past two seasons. In addition, Avervik earned all-state honors in 2016-17 and 2017-18 as well as all-conference honors in 2015-16, 2016-17 and in 2017-18. She has also played for Team Wisconsin for four years, winning the state championship all four years. She has attended three USA Hockey National Developments Camps. A two sport athlete, Akervik is also a three-year member and two-year letterwinner on the Stars' track team. Charlotte is the daughter of Andy Akervik who played at the University of Wisconsin from 1985-88.  

Coach Harrington on Akervik: "Charlotte is a defenseman that brings size and skill to the blueline.  Charlotte has put up good offensive numbers in high school, and I feel she will continue to do that in the college game."

Kennedy Bobyck, a forward hailing from Regina, Sask., is in her second season at the Edge School in Calgary, Alb., and will be an assistant captain this coming season. She garnered 31 goals and 20 assists for 51 points in her first full season with the Edge School last season. Bobyck previously played for the Regina Rebels in Saskatchewan for two years, totalling 47 goals and 44 assists for 91 points. In 2016-17, she was the Midget AAA league scoring champ for the Rebels and was voted to her first all-star team. She was also named the Midget AAA league Rookie of the Year in 2015-16. Bobyck was invited to the Team Canada U18 National Camp in 2017-18 and also placed fourth at U18 Nationals with Team Saskatchewan. Kennedy is the daughter of Brent Bobyck who played for the University of North Dakota from 1986-90.

Coach Harrington on Bobyck: "Kennedy is a dynamic hockey player that will add speed and scoring ability to our team.  Fans will notice her on the ice when she is in the game."

Danielle England, a South Lyon, Mich., native, is a forward for the South Lyon High School team. England switch from a defenseman to a forward during her sophomore season. Since that switch, England has scored 31 goals and has had 31 assists for 62 points.  She earned the 2015-16 International Silverstick MVP award. She has been selected to the honor roll in the last two years. Danielle is the duaghter of Craig and Angela England and had two siblings: Devin and Matthew.  

Coach Harrington on England: "Dani is a versatile player that has been to USA National Camp as both a defenseman and as a forward.  Great speed and offensive mindset; trains and plays with enthusiasm."

Calla Frank, who calls Maplewood, Minn., home, is in her fifth season as a goaltender for the White Bear Lake Bears. She has started on the varsity team since the eighth grade and has a record of 58-35-6 record over the last four seasons. In her career, Frank has tallied a 1.71 goals against average, a .938 save percentage and 21 shutouts. In 2017-18, she was voted the Most Valuable Player from her team. She was named to the all-state team in 2017-18 and was an honorable mention in 2016-17. Frank was named to the all-conference team in 2017-18, 2016-17 and 2015-16 while being an honorable mention her eighth grade year in 2014-15. She was also a part of the U18 USA gold medal winning team in 2018 and attended USA National Camps in 2016 and 2015. 

Coach Harrington on Frank: "Calla is an outstanding goaltender that was a member of the 2018 USA U18 Women's National Team that won the Gold Medal at the World Championship. Calla is an intelligent player and competitive…she wants to be a difference maker."

Lyndsey Howard, a Burnsville, Minn., native, is in her fourth season as a defemseman for the Burnsville High School team, where she has lead the Blaze as a team captain last year and will again this year. For her career, Howard has garnered 24 goals and 28 assists for 52 points with her best season coming in 2017-18 where she had 14 goals and nine assists for 23 points. She was named the team's MVP and best defenseman in 2017-18. Howard earned all-conference honors in 2017-18 and 2016-17 while being an honorable mention in 2015-16. She has also attended USA Hockey National Camps the last two years. A two-sport athlete, Howard has also lettered in golf for three years at Burnsville High School.

Coach Harrington on Howard: "Lyndsey is a two way defenseman that plays well at both ends of the ice.  Lyndsey will jump up into the play and join the offensive attack."

Kelsey King, a forward from Minneapolis, Minn., has tallied 56 goals and 36 assists for 92 points in her first three seasons playing for the Elk River Eklks. King was an alternate captain during her junior season and was selected as captain for her upcoming senior season.   She earned the most dedicated team award during the 2017-18 season and the rookie of the year award during the 2015-16 season. King has been selected to the all-conference team all three seasons and was an all-state honorable mention during the 2016-17 season. She attended the St. Cloud Hockey National Development Camp the past three seasons. A two-sport athlete, King has also lettered in tennis the past two years at El River High School.      

Coach Harrington on King: "Kelsey has continued to develop her game noticeably over the last few years.  Very good speed and an accurate shooter.  Kelsey will add skill to our right side forward position."

"I am excited about adding this class to our team next year," coach Harrington said about this year's recruiting class. "It is a very talented class at each position, and will bring good skills and a definite competitive approach that will make our team stronger."
 

Name	Ht.	Pos.	Hometown / Previous Team
Charlotte Akervik	5-10	D	Eau Claire, Wis. / Eau Claire North High School
Kennedy Bobyk	5-1	F	Regina, Sask. / Edge School
Danielle England	5-4	F	South Lyon, Mich. / South Lyon High School
Calla Frank	5-6	G	Maplewood, Minn. / White Bear Lake High School
Lyndsey Howard	5-7	D	Burnsville, Minn. / Burnsville High School
Kelsey King	5-8	F	Minneapolis, Minn. / Elk River High School

All signings are contingent upon admission to Minnesota State and compliance with NCAA rules, including certification by the NCAA Clearinghouse.