GRAND FORKS, N.D. - University of North Dakota women's hockey head coach Brian Idalski announced today the additions of Andrea Dalen, Josie Johnson, Shannon Kaiser and Victoria Williams to play for the Fighting Sioux beginning in 2011-12.
"First and foremost we do want to take care of kids in our backyard that we think have the potential to compete and be impact players at this level, but we haven't been shy about going wherever we think the best players in the world are to help us build a nationally recognized program and win a national championship," Idalski said. "I think this group of kids is going to help us take another step towards accomplishing that goal."
The four future student-athletes add to the early signing period announcement in December of Shelby Amsley-Benzie (Warroad, Minn.), Josefine Jakobsen (Aalborg, Denmark), Leah Jensen (East Grand Forks, N.D.) and Layla Marvin (Warroad, Minn.) to make it a combined addition of eight players this offseason.
"Coming into the year I think depth is one of the things that hurt us a little bit with injuries and some of our players missing games for international competitions. That won't be any issue coming up and even if we have an injury we should have plenty of people able to step up and make plays for us."
"When you look at our league and other teams in our conference we see ourselves as being able to be up in that upper echelon. The depth and the kids coming in are going to be a big part of that."
Andrea Dalen - Honefoss, Norway
A Honefoss, Norway, native, Dalen just concluded playing in the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) World Women's Championship (Division I) with Norway in Ravensburg, Germany. Norway concluded the tournament with the silver medal while Dalen was second on team with four points, including two goals. A teammate of current Sioux goaltender Jorid Dagfinrud (Sarpsborg, Norway), she was also tied for the team lead with a tournament plus/minus of +3.
Playing in the Swedish Elite League for the Club Linkoping HC, the right-handed forward finished the regular season sixth in the scoring race with 1.44 points per game off 29 goals and 10 assists in 27 games. She also led the Linkopings HC to a runner-up finish in the playoffs and was the playoff's scoring champion with seven points (5-2-7) in four games.
The daughter of Morten Dalen and Randi Aase, she has helped lead her teams to Norwegian championships in 2007-08 and bronze in the 2009 U18 World Championship, where she was named the team's most valuable player.
Dalen on choosing UND: "The good facilities, great opportunities to develop as a player and get a good education."
Josie Johnson - Waunakee, Wis.
Named Miss Hockey Wisconsin and awarded the Molly Engstrom Top Defensemen in 2011, Johnson helped lead Sun Prairie co-op to its first trip to the WIAA girl's hockey state tournament and will become the first player from Wisconsin to make a direct jump from girls prep hockey team to compete for a Division I school (others have played AAA hockey).
In a dominant senior season, Johnson racked up 33 goals and 52 points in 26 games. The right-handed defenseman is a three-time first team all-state selection (2009-11) and was an invitee to the 2010 USA Hockey National Development Camp.
The daughter of Mike and Sheila Johnson, she is 2010-11 National Honor Society Member and plans to major in physical education and exercise science. Her father and high school coach, Mike, played hockey for North Dakota State and cousin, Nathan Christianson, played football for Minot State.
Johnson on choosing UND: "I chose UND for its great hockey program, as well as it offering the major that I would like to go into."
Shannon Kaiser - Crookston, Minn.
Although her season ended in a tough sectionals of the Minnesota state tournament that included eventual state champion Warroad, Roseau and East Grand Forks, Kaiser helped lead Crookston High School to a 20-5 regular season record.
With 39 goals and 59 points, the center led the team in goals and tied for points earning her all-state honorable mention and her team's most valuable player award from 2008-11. She also received the Hobey Baker Character Award in 2011 and was invited to the National Development Camp for Advance 16's in 2009.
A four-sport standout, Kaiser lettered four times in hockey, soccer and track and field along with two times in softball.
The daughter of Brenda and Mickey Kaiser, she plans to major in elementary education.
Kaiser on choosing UND: "Great hockey team and coaching staff. I love the rink and campus. Being close to home is a plus."
Tori Williams - The Pas, Manitoba
A left-handed defenseman from The Pas, Manitoba, Williams will join the Sioux after competing last season for Balmoral Hall in the Junior Women's Hockey League (JWHL), where she recorded 10 goals and eight assists for 18 points. She was named the "Best Defenseman" at the Melvin Fontaine Memorial hockey Tournament and served as an assistant captain.
For the previous three seasons she competed for Balmoral Hall School 'Prep' Hockey Team in Winnipeg, Manitoba, where Williams won multiple tournament championships.
The daughter of Barb McLeod and Tim Williams, she was a nominee for the Gerrie Hammond Memorial Award of Promise (YMCA/YWCA Women of Distinction Awards) in May of 2011. She also served as her class president and plans to major in psychology.
Williams has been devoted to volunteering/mentoring as she served as a "homework helper" for elementary kids and volunteered at many events.
Williams on choosing UND: "I chose UND because I have always wanted to play Division I at the top university in the states and for me that was UND. I've wanted to make my community proud and attending UND will do just that. I also wanted to get the best competitive experience possible while pursuing my education.
Notes: Also joining the team in 2011-12 will be Michelle Karvinen, who redshirted this season... At the 2011 IIHF World Championship, she was named to the Media All-Star team after finishing third in the tournament in scoring behind two Americans...Karvinen tied for the team lead in scoring to help Finland to a bronze medal at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver...She spent this season playing for Club Rodovre, a Denmark men's team...Helped Club Rodovre to two Danish Championships in the U-22 Development League and U-20 Junior league, both for amateur men.
~ Go Sioux ~
