Ellie Andersen (left, credit Craig Olson) and Chace Sperling (right, credit Justin Berl) will join the Huskies this season
Huskies announce addition of Andersen and Sperling to 2021-22 roster
7/16/2021 4:05:00 PM | Women's Hockey
St. Cloud State Women's Hockey has announced the addition of incoming freshman forward Ellie Andersen and transfer defender Chace Sperling to the program's 2021 recruiting class. Both student-athletes will begin their Huskies careers this coming fall.
"We are thrilled to welcome both Ellie and Chace to the Husky Family," said head coach Steve Macdonald, "They are individuals who are spoken of highly as athletes and people. Ellie will be a forward who adds size and a scoring touch to our already-strong forward group. Chace, a transfer from Robert Morris, is a defender who plays a strong 200-foot game and will be a player who can help solidify our D-corps. We look forward to welcoming them to campus in a month's time!"
Andersen joins the Huskies after an extremely productive prep career at Fergus Falls High School. The righthanded forward piled up 142 points, second-most all-time at Fergus Falls, on 78 goals and 64 assists. She ranks third and fourth respectively in her school's record books in the two categories. Andersen went 24-27-51 as a sophomore, 19-12-31 as a junior and closed her senior campaign with 15 goals and nine assists for 24 points.
"I have always been interested in the prestigious women's hockey program at St. Cloud State and their top-notch facilities," said Andersen, "I like the student-faculty ratio and small class sizes at the university along with the location."
The daughter of Brooks and Pam Andersen, Ellie was the 2021 MVP and Outstanding Athlete of the Year; led Fergus Falls to the 2019 Section 6A Championship and the MSHSL State Tournament; and attended the 2018 National Player Development Camp while being a 2019 CCM HP Final 54 Member.
"My dad was influential in my hockey career and development as well as my high school coaches," Andersen continued, "Dad served as my youth coach teaching skills and lessons. We often talked about what I did well at practice/games and what could be improved upon. Coach Tim Lill and Todd Hershner, my high school coaches, were instrumental in helping me take my youth skills to the next level. Their guidance, support and honesty shaped me into the player I am today."
Sperling comes to SCSU following a season at Robert Morris University, playing in seven games last year for the CHA champions after working back from an injury. Originally from Theodore, Saskatchewan, the 5'8 defender spent two years at Clavet Comp before attending Holy Cross High School in grade 11 then concluding her prep career at George Elliot.
"I chose St. Cloud because I wanted to further my hockey career at a school where the hockey is developing into a great team," Sperling said, "The competitive league they are in is only going to better me as a player. The school was the right fit for me, and I wanted to further my education."
Before scoring two goals and adding four assists across 10 games in 2019-20 for Pursuit of Excellence, Sperling went 8-12-20 in 28 games with the Saskatoon Stars during the 2018-19 season. Earning a nod to Team Saskatchewan four years in a row, she received an invite to Team Canada's U-18 program and won silver at nationals. Sperling played in the Esso Cup during the 2017-18 and 2018-19 tournaments, winning the Hockey Canada award.
The daughter of Jerold and Annette Sperling, Chace lists her father Jerold as her biggest hockey influence.
"He has always been there for me and has always pushed me to become the best I can," said Sperling, "He helped me get back skating after breaking my leg and has been supportive throughout my career."
Andersen, Sperling and the rest of the Huskies will begin their 2021-22 season in October.
"We are thrilled to welcome both Ellie and Chace to the Husky Family," said head coach Steve Macdonald, "They are individuals who are spoken of highly as athletes and people. Ellie will be a forward who adds size and a scoring touch to our already-strong forward group. Chace, a transfer from Robert Morris, is a defender who plays a strong 200-foot game and will be a player who can help solidify our D-corps. We look forward to welcoming them to campus in a month's time!"
Andersen joins the Huskies after an extremely productive prep career at Fergus Falls High School. The righthanded forward piled up 142 points, second-most all-time at Fergus Falls, on 78 goals and 64 assists. She ranks third and fourth respectively in her school's record books in the two categories. Andersen went 24-27-51 as a sophomore, 19-12-31 as a junior and closed her senior campaign with 15 goals and nine assists for 24 points.
"I have always been interested in the prestigious women's hockey program at St. Cloud State and their top-notch facilities," said Andersen, "I like the student-faculty ratio and small class sizes at the university along with the location."
The daughter of Brooks and Pam Andersen, Ellie was the 2021 MVP and Outstanding Athlete of the Year; led Fergus Falls to the 2019 Section 6A Championship and the MSHSL State Tournament; and attended the 2018 National Player Development Camp while being a 2019 CCM HP Final 54 Member.
"My dad was influential in my hockey career and development as well as my high school coaches," Andersen continued, "Dad served as my youth coach teaching skills and lessons. We often talked about what I did well at practice/games and what could be improved upon. Coach Tim Lill and Todd Hershner, my high school coaches, were instrumental in helping me take my youth skills to the next level. Their guidance, support and honesty shaped me into the player I am today."
Sperling comes to SCSU following a season at Robert Morris University, playing in seven games last year for the CHA champions after working back from an injury. Originally from Theodore, Saskatchewan, the 5'8 defender spent two years at Clavet Comp before attending Holy Cross High School in grade 11 then concluding her prep career at George Elliot.
"I chose St. Cloud because I wanted to further my hockey career at a school where the hockey is developing into a great team," Sperling said, "The competitive league they are in is only going to better me as a player. The school was the right fit for me, and I wanted to further my education."
Before scoring two goals and adding four assists across 10 games in 2019-20 for Pursuit of Excellence, Sperling went 8-12-20 in 28 games with the Saskatoon Stars during the 2018-19 season. Earning a nod to Team Saskatchewan four years in a row, she received an invite to Team Canada's U-18 program and won silver at nationals. Sperling played in the Esso Cup during the 2017-18 and 2018-19 tournaments, winning the Hockey Canada award.
The daughter of Jerold and Annette Sperling, Chace lists her father Jerold as her biggest hockey influence.
"He has always been there for me and has always pushed me to become the best I can," said Sperling, "He helped me get back skating after breaking my leg and has been supportive throughout my career."
Andersen, Sperling and the rest of the Huskies will begin their 2021-22 season in October.
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