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HANCOCK -- Courtesy:  Finlandia University

Finlandia University Women’s Ice Hockey coach Heather Reinke has announced that seven student-athletes have committed to the 2011-2012 women’s hockey program.

The talented 7 player class joins 13 returning letter winners in preparation for a challenging 24 game schedule, including 20 Northern Collegiate Hockey Association (NCHA) conference games. The incoming class includes four forwards, two blue liners, and one goalie.  Six of the players are true freshman with one transfer student-athlete entering the season with junior eligibility.

Finlandia will open the 2011-2012 campaign at home against MIAC foe Augsburg College (MN) on October 29-30 at the Houghton County Arena.

For more information on the women’s hockey team, you can contact Coach Reinke at heather.reinke@finlandia.edu.

Listed below are the seven student-athletes that are currently attending Finlandia and playing hockey for the Lions this year. A short player profile of each recruit is listed below.

Renae VanBuskirk               F             5-5          Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario

1. Played for  the Sault Ste. Marie Wildcats
2. “She has good hands, vision, and is creative with the puck,” according to coach Reinke. “She has loads of potential and has a great stride. She will make an immediate impact on the forward line-up.”

Mariah Matthys                     F             5-7          Marinette, Wisconsin

1. Played for Team Wisconsin

1. “She is an aggressive and skilled forward,” according to coach Reinke. “She is a good Wisconsin player and we are thrilled to have her here. She also has great potential.”

Brittany Coleman                  F             5-6          Anchorage, Alaska

1. Played for Team Alaska

1. “It is great to have Brittany on our team and perhaps she can lead to a connection to more Alaska players,” according to coach Reinke. “Brittany is a very aggressive forward that doesn’t mind the physical game.”

Alexandra Chutskoff           F             5-4          Abbotsford, British Columbia

1. Played for the Okanagan Hockey Academy
2. “She is a passionate player that will demonstrate this every shift on the ice,” according to coach Reinke. “She is a very hard working player that will develop into a good two-way college player.”

Nanci Crossman                    D            5-4          Livonia, Michigan

1. Transfer from the University of Southern Maine
2. “She is new to Finlandia, but has college playing experience out East,” according to coach Reinke. “She is a solid defenseman with a very good hockey IQ. She will make an immediate impact on our defensive group.”

Ashley Christy                        D            5-5          Mountain Iron, Minnesota

1. Played for Eveleth-Gilbert High School
2. “She has good hands and can move the puck,” according to coach Reinke. “She is a very athletic player and will also be an immediate impact player for our defensive group.”

Breanna Hynes                       G            5-7          Victoria, British Columbia

1. Played for the South Island Breakers
2. “She is a talented goalie with good size and potential,” according to coach Reinke. “She will be a good addition here, and we think she will push both Ashley Pavlish and Stephanie LaMore early on which is great for the team.”