7 Shocking Facts And Must-Know Details About Saint Michael's Women's Hockey (2025 Season Update)
The Leadership and Roster: A Fresh Look at the Purple Knights
The Saint Michael's Women's Hockey program is helmed by a familiar and dedicated alumna, a key element that defines the team's culture. The current roster is a blend of experienced veterans and promising newcomers, all contributing to the team's identity.Coaching Staff and Program Leadership
- Head Coach: Meghan Sweezey '10
- Role: Alumna and Head Coach
- Assistant Coach: Olivia McLean
- Volunteer Assistant Coach: Kyra Yu
- Additional Staff: Leon Lifschutz (mentioned in some staff listings)
Head Coach Meghan Sweezey, a Saint Michael's alumna from the Class of 2010, brings a deep connection to the program and a commitment to developing the student-athletes both on and off the ice.
Key Roster Entities (2025-2026 Season)
The roster features players from across the US and Canada, highlighting the national reach of the program. These players represent the core of the Purple Knights' attack and defense:
- Annika Lavender (G): Senior Goaltender, a crucial presence in net.
- Julia Chedel (D): Sophomore Defenseman, a key piece of the blue line.
- Emersynn McGillis (D): Junior Assistant Captain and Defenseman, a vocal leader.
- Kali Boychuk (F): Forward, a key contributor to the offensive zone.
- Anna Jerylo (F): Forward, noted for her offensive production.
- Kyler Weatherred (F): Forward.
- Maddie Quinn (D): Sophomore Defenseman.
Fact 1: The NEWHA Challenge and Current Standings
The Saint Michael's Purple Knights compete in the New England Women's Hockey Alliance (NEWHA), a Division I conference. The NEWHA is known for its tight competition, and the Purple Knights consistently face tough opponents.The 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 seasons have proven to be a difficult stretch for the team. As of the latest available statistics, the team's overall record stands at 1-15-0, with a conference record of 1-13-0.
This challenging record is a clear indicator of the high level of play in the NEWHA, where every point is hard-earned. The team is focused on building momentum in the second half of the season to improve their position against conference rivals like Post University, Stonehill, and Saint Anselm.
Fact 2: Offensive Bright Spots and Key Player Statistics (2024-2025)
Despite the overall team record, several players have shown significant offensive production and defensive resilience, providing bright spots for the Purple Knights' future.In the 2024-2025 season, the team's scoring leaders demonstrated their ability to generate offense. These players are the core of the team's attack and are crucial for future success.
- Alizee LeBlanc: A leading scorer with 6 goals over 36 games.
- Mary Leys: A top playmaker, recording 8 assists in 36 games.
- Anna Jerylo: A consistent contributor, noted for reaching 10 points in the season.
- Jodie Gratton: Freshman Forward, a new talent adding depth to the offensive lines.
- Elisabeth Gerebi: Junior Forward, providing veteran experience and offensive support.
The team's success hinges on these key players continuing to develop and the younger talent, like freshman Brianna Jarvis, integrating into the system and increasing their point totals.
Fact 3: The Historic Cairns Arena Advantage
The home of the Saint Michael's Women's Hockey team is the historic Cairns Arena, located in Colchester, Vermont.Cairns Arena is a significant entity in the local hockey community. It features two rinks with official NHL dimensions (85 feet by 200 feet), providing a professional-level environment for both practice and games.
Playing at Cairns Arena gives the Purple Knights a distinct home-ice advantage, especially in intense rivalry matchups, such as their games against in-state opponents like Norwich University, where they have secured important victories in the past.
Fact 4: A Challenging Schedule Against Top-Tier Programs
The Saint Michael's schedule regularly features games against some of the most powerful teams in NCAA Division I hockey, often outside of their NEWHA conference.In the 2025-2026 season alone, the Purple Knights' challenging non-conference schedule included matchups against major programs like the University of Vermont, Clarkson University, and Providence College.
A notable recent game was a match against the Dartmouth Big Green in December 2025. While the result was a significant loss, playing against ECACHockey teams provides invaluable experience and exposure to an elite level of competition, which is vital for the team's long-term development and recruitment efforts.
Fact 5: The Purple Knights’ Identity as an NCAA Division I Program
While the NEWHA is a relatively newer Division I conference, Saint Michael's commitment to the top tier of collegiate hockey is a defining characteristic of the program.The team maintains an NCAA Division I status, which places them in a high-profile category of collegiate athletics. This status is a major draw for prospective student-athletes looking to compete at the highest level while pursuing a liberal arts education in Vermont.
The program's continued focus on development and competition against strong opponents, both in-conference and out-of-conference, underscores their commitment to maintaining a competitive Division I program.
Fact 6: The Importance of Defensive Depth and Goaltending
In a league known for high-scoring games, the performance of the defense and goaltending unit is paramount.Players like senior goaltender Annika Lavender and defensemen Julia Chedel and Maddie Quinn are central to the team's defensive strategy. Their ability to manage shots and clear the puck is critical to keeping the Purple Knights in games.
The team's overall statistics reflect the pressure the defense faces, but individual performances in save percentage and blocked shots are often unsung heroes in a demanding season. The development of defensive structure remains a key priority for the coaching staff.
Fact 7: The Future Outlook and Recruitment Focus
Looking ahead, the Saint Michael's Women's Hockey program is focused on leveraging its Division I status and dedicated coaching staff to build a competitive roster.Recruitment is a year-round process, targeting talented players who can immediately contribute to the NEWHA competition. The program's proximity to Canadian hockey talent and its strong academic reputation at Saint Michael's College are significant advantages in attracting high-caliber student-athletes.
With an experienced coach like Meghan Sweezey '10 at the helm and a dedicated group of returning players, the Purple Knights are poised to continue their growth and aim for a stronger finish in the NEWHA standings in the upcoming seasons. Their continued battle against tough NEWHA opponents like Assumption and Stonehill will define their progress.
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