Moon Township, Pa. - Robert Morris University women's ice hockey head coach Nate Handrahan announced the signing of six student-athletes to National Letters of Intent this week. Sara O'Malley (Guelph, Ontario / Hamilton Hawks), Kylie Rossler (Regina, Saskatchewan / Regina Rebels), Daneca Butterfield (Kronau, Saskatchewan / Notre Dame Hounds), Maria Stoa (Bloomington, Mn. / Eden Prairie), Dy-anna Stewart (Eden Prairie, Mn. / Eden Prairie) and Whitney Pappas (Evergreen, Co. / Belle Tire) will join the Colonials this fall for the 2007-08 season.
"I am very pleased with our Class of 2011," said coach Handrahan. "I think they will add quality to our on ice play as well as being quality people off the ice. I expect that they will do well in the classroom and in the community and be a big part, as every class is, of RMU Women's Ice Hockey."
O'Malley, a 5'7" forward, joins the Colonials, coming off an impressive campaign as a member of the PWHL's Hamilton Hawks. The assistant captain ranked ninth on the team in point and points per game with 1.1. In 30 games played, O'Malley scored 21 goals and added 13 assists for 34 points during the 2006-07 season.
"Sara is a great athlete who brings size and a hockey sense to our program," said coach Handrahan. "She has the potential to have an impact right away."
Rossler, a 5'6" forward, ranked second in scoring with 43 points and third in points per game with 1.8 for the Regina Rebels of the Saskatchewan Female Midget AAA Hockey League. During the 2006-07 season, the Rebels captain scored 19 goals and added 24 assists in 24 games played. Rossler is also a member of Team Saskatchewan.
"Kylie plays with a lot of energy and brings a high level of competitive spirit to our program," said coach Handrahan. "She has the ability to be a finisher which is something we need as we grow as a team."
Butterfield, a 5'4" goaltender, gives the Colonials some much needed depth at the position. During the past season as the Notre Dame Hounds net-minder, she accumulated a 11-3-0 record in 14 games played with two of her wins coming in shut-out fashion. Her stats speak for themselves as she finished the year allowing only 27 goals with a 1.99 goals against average. Butterfield joins Rossler as the second member of Team Saskatchewan on the Colonials roster this season.
"Daneca is a tireless worker," said coach Handrahan. "She has put in her time to develop her game to the level that it is at."
Stoa, a 5'7" forward, knows what it takes to be successful. As a member of Eden Prairie, Stoa helped guide the team on a 57-game winning streak as well as the 2005-06 Minnesota State Championship title. A former final five Ms. Hockey Finalist for the state of Minnesota, the incoming freshman racked up 69 goals and 68 assists for 137 points in her three-year tenure with the team.
"Maria has great vision and the ability to take a game over by herself," said coach Handrahan. "She is a difference maker on the ice and is a great kid off of it."
Stewart, a 5'7" defenseman, joins Stoa as the second member of the Eden Prairie hockey team to continue their career with the Colonials this season. In her senior season, Stewart provided her team with four goals and added 11 assists for 15 points in 27 games played. Stewart was a member of the Eden Prairie club that went on a 57-game winning streak and won the 2005-06 State Championship.
"Dy-anna is a leader," said coach Handrahan. "She has the attitude and the presence of a champion that will benefit us on the blue line this season."
Pappas, a 5'7" defenseman, is the third player this season bringing championship experience to the team. The former Michigan State Champion and team captain played in 75 games in her career with Belle Tire, scoring ten goals and 16 assists for 26 points while accumulating a mere 16 minutes in penalties.
"Whitney comes to us from the state of Colorado which is not a typical hockey area," said coach Handrahan. "But the fact that she relocated to the Detroit area shows her dedication and desire to play at this level, she will be a great addition to the Colonials."
The women's ice hockey team, under the guidance of second-year head coach Nate Handrahan, looks to build upon the success of the 2006-07 campaign as the squads enters into their third season as a varsity program at Robert Morris University.
