Sydney Langseth returns after leading the Mavericks in scoring last season with 32 points. PHOTO COURTESY OF MSU ATHLETICSMavericks return bulk of roster under new coach
When Minnesota State-Mankato takes the ice this season they will do so with a heavy Minnesota presence.
All but one skater and one goaltender either were born in Minnesota or played high school hockey in Minnesota, giving the Mavericks a true State of Hockey presence on the ice.
Shari DickermanThe Mavericks enter the season under the tutelage of new bench boss Shari Dickerman after longtime coach John “Bah” Harrington announced his retirement. Dickerman has been with the program for several years so the transition should be smooth as she takes over the helm.
The Mavericks finished 13-25-0 last season, a win total they want to improve on this year.
They should be able to as they return a majority of their 2023-24 roster, including their top four scorers.
Former Eden Prairie star Sydney Langseth returns for her graduate season after leading the Mavericks with 15 goals and 17 assists in 38 games a season ago. Former Andover star Jamie Nelson will also return for her graduate season after leading the team with 20 goals and finishing with 30 points. Junior Whitney Tuttle (Rosemount, MN) returns after notching 10 goals and 16 assists and Taylor Otremba (Maple Grove, MN) returns after scoring eight goals and adding 14 assists.
With age and experience on their side, Langseth and Nelson should provide solid leadership both on and off the ice. Claire Vekich (Greenway, MN) will enter her senior season and second with the Mavericks after transferring in from Bemidji State last year. Other seniors include Alexis Paddington (Thunder Bay, Ont.), Jayden Siefert (Farmington, MN), MacKenzie Bourgerie (St. Michael, MN), Jessica Boland (Northfield, MN), and Madison Mashuga (Anoka, MN).
They will look for some younger teammates to take a step forward in their production with another year of experience under their belt, including the likes of Kamryn Van Batavia (Luverne, MN) who was a Ms. Hockey Finalists in 2023.
Defensively the team performed admirably by allowing just over three goals per game, but would like to see that number closer to two goals per game. JuilAnna Gazdik (Somerset, WI) and Janessa Gazdik (Somerset, WI) both logged a lot of minutes as freshmen and will look to play a bigger role this season. Junior Lilie Ramirez (South St. Paul, MN) played in all 38 games, and Kianna Roeske (Paynesville, MN) also played in all 38 games and finished the season with a plus-2 rating. Shelby Guttormson is a Moorhead native who played at Shattuck-St. Mary’s and will also bring some senior leadership to the blue line after appearing in all 38 games last season along with fellow senior Jayden Seifert (Farmington, MN) who played in 37 games a year ago.
Newcomers
The Mavericks only lost three players to graduation and bring in four newbies to fill the roster this season. Lauren Goldsworthy (Minnetonka, MN) comes in as a good-sized (5’8”) defenseman with strong offensive skills. She notched 14 goals and 29 assists as a senior at Tonka last year.
Audrey Garton comes in from the Academy of Holy Angels where she scored 21 goals. Bella Shipley was a Ms. Hockey semifinalist in 2024 out of Maple Grove where scored 29 goals and 29 assists as a senior.
Hailey Hansen started 14 games for the Mavericks and will look to compete for minutes again this season as the Mavericks have three goalies with ample NCAA experience. PHOTO COURTESY OF MSU ATHLETICSGoaltending
The team also adds Jessie McPherson, a goaltender from Chatham Ontario to compete for minutes with Suzette Faucher (Middleton, WI) and Hailey Hanson (Blaine, MN). Hansen started 14 games for the Mavericks last season as a freshman and logged a 3.21 goals against average and a .885 save percentage. Hanson split duties three ways with Faucher and Lauren Barbro. Barbro has since graduated. Faucher started 13 games and posted a 3.34 GAA and .892 save percentage. McPherson comes in form the University of Vermont where she has played in 90 games and has a 51-29-9 record and a 1.97 GAA and .916 save percentage.
Outlook
The Mavericks should improve on their win total with a strong group returning and three capable goaltenders. They will have to improve their offensive output and could do so if they improve their power play which converted on just 17 percent of opportunities last season. Dickerman is a well experienced and respected coach who already has a relationship with the players, so look for the Mavericks to potentially approach that 20-win total in 2024-25.
2024-25 Roster
