The Season Opener
The Minnesota State women's hockey team opens its 24th season in North Andover, Mass., with a nonconference weekend series vs. the Merrimack College Warriors, Friday at 5:00 p.m., CST and Saturday at 3:00 p.m., CST.
The Past and Present Seasons
The Mavericks are scheduled to take the ice for a total of 32 games this season, with 26 Western Collegiate Hockey Association conference games lined up and six nonconference contests along the way.
In last season's shortened and pandemic-impacted slate of games, the Mavericks closed out the season with a 7-12-1 record which was good for fifth in the WCHA standings.
Minnesota State All-Time
Minnesota State, which began play in 1998-99, enters its 24th season of competition. The Mavericks have compiled a 203-515-71 (.302) record in 789 games played. MSU heads into its 23rd year as members of the WCHA and hold a 125-411-56 (.258) record in 592 conference games played.
WCHA Coaches' Poll
In the 2021-22 WCHA Coaches' Poll, the Mavericks were slotted fifth in the rankings with 25 points, as announced by conference officials prior to the season. This comes a step up from the 2020-21 predictions, where MSU was placed sixth with 13 points.
Rookie of the Year
Sophomore forward Jamie Nelson finished her first season as the Maverick's leading point scorer with 8-7--15 in 18 games. The Andover, Minn., native finished the season second in WCHA regular-season rookie scoring and garnered WCHA All-Rookie Team honors as well as being named the Mavericks' first-ever WCHA Rookie of the Year. In the conference standings, Nelson closed out the season pacing WCHA freshman with three power play goals, 57 shots and 26 blocks. In her last action, Nelson led the Mavericks in a series at Minnesota Duluth (Feb. 20-21) with a pair of goals. The multi-goal weekend saw her crown her self as MSU's leading point scorer for the 2020-21 season. Nelson also tied for MSU's team lead in goals and assists last season.
Fleming Finesses
Senior forward Brittyn Fleming returns to Minnesota State's roster for the 2021-22 campaign after cashing in on her extra year of eligibility granted by the NCAA to last year's student athletes who had seasons impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Fleming is the Mavericks' active career scoring leader with 24-45--69 in 126 games at MSU. The Oregon, Wis., native tied for the team lead in playmaking last season with seven assists. Fleming stands seventh on MSU's list of all-time assist leaders with 45 career helpers.
Kondas the Kid
Similar to Fleming, senior defenseman Jessica Kondas opted to use her extra year of eligibility to compete one more season with the Mavericks. The right-shot defenseman led MSU in goals scored by defensemen last season with three tallies. She finished last season with a 3-2--5 line and 36 blocked shots. The Calgary, Alta., native tied for the team lead in game-winning goals with a pair of game-deciding markers during the 2020-21 campaign.
The Captain
MSU captain Anna Wilgren finished last season ninth in the WCHA and 20th in NCAA shot-blocking with 38 blocks in 16 games. The left-handed D-man had a 1-4--5 line and currently sits third on MSU's all-time defensemen scoring list with a career line of 11-30--41. She is nine points off the lead set by Emilia Anderson (2008-13).
To be Frank...
Last season, sophomore goaltender Calla Frank suited up for 17 games and made 17 starts while owning a .910 save percentage, .262 goals against average and a 6-10-1 record. During the 2020-21 season, Frank was named WCHA Goaltender of the Week twice (Jan. 8-9 & Feb. 20-21) in weekend series at Bemidji State and Minnesota Duluth. As a Maverick, Frank owns a career record of 12-18-4 with a .911 save percentage and 2.68 goals against average. She posted two shutouts last season, the third and fourth of her collegiate career.
Minnesota State's Special Teams
The Mavericks finished last season tied for the eighth-best penalty kill unit in the nation at a 60-for-67 mark for a 89.6% success rate. With the advantage, the Mavericks finished eighth in the nation with 10 man-advantage markers and 12th in power-play percentage, going 10-for-61 (.164). MSU's power play unit finished second in the WCHA rankings in terms of percentage while the penalty kill came in at third in the conference rankings.
The MSU 20-Game Club
Minnesota State competed in 20 games during the 2020-21 season. Six Mavericks returning for the 2021-22 season accomplished the feat of skating in all 20 games last season. They were forwards Claire Butorac, Madison Mashuga, Kelsey King and Brittyn Fleming as well as defensemen Charlotte Akervik and Jessica Kondas.
Looking Ahead
Minnesota State opens its WCHA conference slate following this weekend's trip to Massachusetts when it hosts the #4/5 Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs, Oct. 1-2 at the Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center in Mankato.
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