Insider: St. Cloud State says goodbye to its Class of 2017

ST. CLOUD—Seven Huskies seniors will take to the ice at the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center for the final time this weekend and St. Cloud State women's hockey will begin to bid adieu to a class that has left an indelible mark on the program.

On the ice, this season's seniors—forwards Lauren Hespenheide, Payge Pena and Kelsey Saelens, defensemen Caroline Markstrom, Christa Moody and Jenna Redford, and goaltender Madeleine Dahl—have combined to play 764 games, score 41 goals and 111 points and have won 33 games, but head coach Erid Rud believes the impact of their leadership extended far beyond the rink.

Rud said he has never had to worry about any off-ice issues arising in his three seasons because of the inclusive attitude of this senior class.

"In terms of our off-ice compatibility, this group has set our future," he said. "They are a large, close-knit group and have done an unbelievable job of setting our team dynamic."

That dynamic includes a renewed belief that the Huskies can compete with and beat any opponent on any given night—which stemmed from the seniors buying in to Rud and his staff as sophomores and improving as hockey players as a result.

"Our feeling at this time of the year now versus two years ago is night and day," Rud said. "No matter who we play in the playoffs, this group believes we can go in there and win. I don't think that was the case all the time in this program."

The Class of 2017's positive attitude, self-conviction and work ethic has shifted the culture inside St. Cloud State's locker room, which will have a long-lasting impact on the program's outlook. Now, that team confidence will be engrained in every future generation of Huskies to come.

"That attitude is what kids coming in now see and all that they know," Rud said.

But the traits that have helped this year's seniors re-shape SCSU's program will also enable them to succeed well after their playing careers come to an end.

"I am excited to see where this group of kids is 10 years from now," Rud said. "They are tremendously driven and talented in a lot of different ways. It will be fun to watch them move on in their lives."

#9 Lauren HESPENHEIDE
Forward ll Shakopee, Minn. ll 136 Games, 31 points (16+15)

Favorite Memory at SCSU: "Beating Wisconsin sophomore year. And then, this season, playing in front of 15,000 people at the Kohl Center was a neat experience."

Best Advice She's Received: "Coach Rud always told us to leave here a better person than when we came—either on or off the ice."

Biggest Takeaway from Her Career: "The relationships I've formed. Regardless of how the seasons have gone, we've been a tight group every year I've been here."

Plans for the Future: "I am getting a degree in management and a minor in finance. I am going to be moving back home to the cities and looking for a job."

#11 Caroline MARKSTROM
Defenseman ll Kovland, Sweden ll 130 Games, 6 points (4+2)

Favorite Memory at SCSU: "Beating Wisconsin my sophomore year. That was big time and an unreal game."

Best Advice She's Received: "Take advantage of your time because it goes fast. It went a lot faster than I expected. Enjoy every moment and don't take anything for granted."

Biggest Takeaway from Her Career: "The relationships I have made and the amount of people I have gotten to know. I have made great friendships."

Plans for the Future: "I'm moving back to Sweden and going to try to find a job and make a career in business. I'm trying to be a CEO in the future. I'm going to boss people around."

#16 Kelsey SAELENS
Forward ll Winnipeg, Manitoba ll 133 Games, 17 points (5+12)

Favorite Memory at SCSU: "When we beat Wisconsin my sophomore year."

Best Advice She's Received: "Never get down on yourself if you're going through a rough patch because there is always an upside to everything. If you keep working, it will show."

Biggest Takeaway from Her Career: "The people you meet and the relationships you gain. All of my best friends are from St. Cloud."

Plans for the Future: "I am going to look for a job in marketing. I have a marketing internship with a company in Denmark this summer. That will be a lot of fun."

#17 Jenna REDFORD
Defenseman ll Soldonta, Alaska ll 111 Games, 8 points (1+7)

Favorite Memory at SCSU: "When we played in front of over 15,000 people in Wisconsin this year. Unless you're in the NHL, how many athletes, regardless of gender, have been able to do that?"

Best Advice She's Received: "It's never over. When you do something, if you don't get it at first, you can keep working and achieve your goal."

Biggest Takeaway from Her Career: "My relationship with God has really improved. That has helped me live my life and live it towards Him. I learned that through things not always going my way and realizing He will be the one constant."

Plans for the Future: "I might go play in Europe, either in Sweden or Switzerland. My husband also wants to start a family."

#19 Payge PEÑA
Forward ll Maple Ridge, British Colombia ll 130 Games, 33 points (13+20)

Favorite Memory at SCSU: "Playing at the Kohl Center in Wisconsin this year in front of that many people."

Best Advice She's Received: "It goes by so quickly, so take nothing for granted. Enjoy it all. It gets tough and stressful sometimes, but enjoy the moment and have fun."

Biggest Takeaway from Her Career: "All the people I have met at SCSU and the friendships and relationships I have formed."

Plans for the Future: "I am going to move back home to Canada and hopefully find a job. I am not sure what I want to do yet."

#21 Christa MOODY
Defenseman ll Battle Creek, Mich. ll 120 Games, 16 points (2+14)

Favorite Memory at SCSU: "From where we started our freshman year until now, watching the program transform the way that it has. It got better and better each of my four years."

Best Advice She's Received: "An old coach said 'be strong', whether on or off of the ice. Whenever something gets tough I say those two words."

Biggest Takeaway from Her Career: "All of the off-the-ice friendships that we built on the ice. We made a lot of good memories both on and off the ice that I will never forget."

Plans for the Future: "I start working with Plante Moran in August. I had an internship there last summer and they offered me a job. I am really excited. I am going to be working as a wealth manager."

#34 Madeleine DAHL
Goaltender ll Edina, Minn. ll 4 Games, 4.23 GAA, .892 SV% (at SCSU)

Favorite Memory at SCSU: "The first day I got to step on the ice with the team (after transferring from Union)."

Best Advice She's Received: "To live for yourself, not for others' approval."

Biggest Takeaway from Her Career: "To be grateful for the opportunities that we are given, do not take anything for granted."

Plans for the Future: "I plan to continue on to graduate school."

UP NEXT: ST. CLOUD STATE (8-18-4, 6-15-3-2 WCHA) vs. BEMIDJI STATE (9-16-3, 5-16-3-1 WCHA) — Friday, February 10, 3:07 p.m.; Saturday, February 11, 2017, 3:07 p.m.

HOW TO FOLLOW:

TV: Fox Sports North (Friday) and Fox Sports North PLUS (Saturday)
Watch Live
Listen Live
Live Stats
Games Notes (PDF)

SCOUTING THE BEAVERS: Bemidji State enters this weekend's series winless in its last six games (0-4-2) and is 3-5-2 in its last 10. BSU is coming off of being swept at home by No. 1 WIsconsin, 6-1 and 4-2. Six of its nine wins on the season have come away from home and it is 6-8-2 on the road, overall. The Beavers are led by sophomore forward Emily Bergland, who paces the team with 12 goals and 19 points. Her 12 goals ranks 10th in the WCHA. Senior goaltender Brittni Mowat has started all but two games in goal for Bemidji State and boasts a 2.46 goals-against average and .921 save percentage.

The Huskies and Beavers enter this weekend's two-game set separated by just four points in the WCHA standings with four regular season games to play. SCSU sits in fifth place with 23 points, while BSU is in seventh place with 19—making the series vital for postseason positioning.

ALL-TIME SERIES: St. Cloud State is 33-36-9, all-time, against Bemidji State. The Huskies are 2-7-1 in their last 10 games against their in-state rivals, including 1-2-1 at home. SCSU is 3-7-2 at home this season and is 6-5-3 against unranked opponents.

LAST TIME OUT: In its last outings, the Huskies earned four of six points on the road with a 3-1 win and 2-2 tie at Ohio State—securing them sole possession of fifth place in the conference. Moody made her first goal of the season count, scoring the game-winner in the opener as SCSU scored three unanswered goals after falling behind, 1-0, early. On Saturday, junior defenseman Emma Turbyville scored the first goal of her career and snapped the Huskies' 0-for-32 stretch on the power play in the process.

KEY NOTES TO CONSIDER:

SENIOR WEEKEND: Saturday's game is Senior Day and the Huskies will celebrate the careers of their seven outgoing seniors: Forwards Lauren Hespenheide, Kelsey Saelens and Payge Pena; defensemen Caroline Markstrom, Christa Moody and Jenna Redford; and goaltender Madeleine Dahl. This year's class have combined to play 764 games, score 41 goals and 111 points and have won 33 games.

REACHING NEW HEIGHTS: SCSU players continue to push new boundaries, offensively. With 30 games played, 13 players have already established new or equaled career highs in one or more of goals, assists and points in a single season—including six seniors: Hespenheide (assists, points), Markstrom (goals, assists, points), Saelens (assists, points), Redford (assists, points), Pena (goals, points) and Moody (goals).

OH CAPTAIN, MY CAPTAIN: Hespenheide has nine points (4+5) in 30 games this season, which is sixth on the team. The captain had a career day against Merrimack on Sept. 29, tallying a career-high three assists, and has already surpassed her single season career high in assists (four).

MAGNIFICENT MARKSTROM: Markstrom has been an offensive revelation on the blue line in her senior season. The Kovland, Sweden native leads all Huskies defenders with three goals and has set new career highs in goals (3), assists (2) and points (5).

FANTASTIC FRIESEN: Freshman forward Kayla Friesen scored two points (1+1) against Ohio State, upping her rookie totals to six goals, eight assists and 14 points—which are tied for third, tied for first and second on the team, respectively. The Winnipeg, Manitoba native is tied for third in the WCHA among freshman in goals and tied for fifth in points.

SWISS SENSATION: Alder continues to set the standard for rookie goaltenders at St. Cloud State. The Zurich, Switzerland native started both games at OSU and upped her save percentage to .929 and lowered her goals-against average to 2.35 on the season with a pair of 30-plus save performances. She boasts three shutouts—the most-ever for a freshman in program history—and is on pace to set the single season save percentage and goals-against average record at SCSU. Her .929 save percentage ranks 10th, nationally.

SILKY TYLKE: With a goal last Saturday against the Buckeyes, sophomore forward Julia Tylke became the first Husky to reach double digits this season. She leads the team in goals (10), assists (8) and points (18) this season. The Delafield, Wis., native is tied for 13th in the conference in goals and tied for 22nd in points.

CLASS of 2021: Eight players have signed National Letters of Intent to play for this Huskies this fall: forwards Emma Bigham (Minnetonka, Minn.), Laura Kluge (Berlin, Germany), Aubrey Pritchett (Orange, Calif.) and Megan Roe (Woodhaven, Mich.); defensemen Hannah Bates (Trenton, Mich.), Tatum Coats (Lakewood, Calif.) and Kenzie Wylie (Ham Lake, Minn.); and goaltender Emma Polusny (Mound, Minn.).

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