Penn State added eight new faces for the upcoming 2025-26 season. These incoming freshmen include three defensemen, three forwards and two goalies.
The Nittany Lions focused on adding a high pressure attack on the forecheck and speed to the backcheck through these additions — not to mention two brick walls in net.
Here are a few things to know about the incoming freshmen.
Danica Maynard, defensemen
Danica Maynard is a left-handed defenseman from British Columbia, Canada.
Defense was visibly an area of target for Penn State, and they are welcoming in one of the best young talents from up north.
Fresh off being a part of the Canada U18 team, Maynard proved she’s one of the more elite defenders in her class. In the six games played for Team Canada, she put up one goal and three assists, totaling four points.
She became a gold medalist in the 2025 Women’s World Championship and will likely bring that champion mentality to Penn State. Speed and elusiveness is the name of the game for Maynard. She’s a speedy defenseman which is shown every time she has the puck on her stick.
Lauren Hernick, goalie
The first of two goalies coming to Penn State is from Frankenmuth, Michigan.
Lauren Hernick is a local athlete coming off an impressive season with the Philadelphia Junior Flyers 19U team. Playing in 11 regular season games, Hernick recorded a 2.61 goals against average along with four shutouts through the 2024-25 season.
Hernick shows off a quick glove hand and great ability to track the puck. She stays tight to the posts and moves across the crease to quickly position herself in preparation for incoming shots.
The ice sits empty before Penn State women’s hockey’s AHA Championship versus Mercyhurst at Pegula Ice Arena on Saturday, March 8, 2025 in University Park, Pa. The Nittany Lions beat the Lakers 4-1.
Noah Aberegg
Maddy Campbell, goalie
The second goalie is Maddy Campbell from Ontario, Canada.
Playing most of her career for the Durham West Lighting in the OWHL U22 Elite, Campbell racked up impressive stats and quickly became captain of her team.
In her most recent season, she played in 19 games finishing with a 1.63 goals against average, three shutouts and a 10-5 record. Her ability to track the puck to her pads and take away chances from the other team is evident, resulting in her impressive goals against average.
Matilde Fantin, center
The first forward on the list is a center from Como, Italy.
Fantin comes to Happy Valley fresh off not only winning a gold medal in the D1B Women’s World Championship with Team Italy, but also being named best forward in that same championship. She led the tournament in goals with five and points with 10.
She plays with a lot of patience. When the puck is on her stick she looks for an open shooting lane or someone to pass to. Fantin is a great puck handler and has a precise wrist shot with a quick release.
Mikah Keller, center
Continuing with the center position, Mikah Keller is from Mosinee, Wisconsin.
Keller finished an amazing final season in the JWHL as she became the player of the year and made the JWHL first team. Keller finished with 35 goals and 32 assists with a total of 67 points in 47 games.
Similar to Maynard, Keller is speedy and elusive, moving up and down the ice with great pace. She controls the puck easily when she is in possession and opens the ice very quickly allowing her to create plays with her teammates.
Pegula Ice Arena sits empty before Penn State women’s hockey’s AHA Championship versus Mercyhurst on Saturday, March 8, 2025 in University Park, Pa. The Nittany Lions beat the Lakers 4-1.
Noah Aberegg
Sophie Morrow, defensemen
Penn State’s second new defenseman is from Darien, Connecticut.
Sophie Morrow is a left-handed defenseman who plays the blue line very well. She wrapped up her final season with Shattuck St. Mary’s Prep with 35 points in 46 games and ended tied for second on her team in assists.
Morrow defends well against opposing forechecks and plays the puck excellently. She’ll quickly become a great addition to the defensive core in the near future.
Shelby Shane, defenseman
The last new defenseman Shelby Shane is no stranger to the Pennsylvania region as she is from Kutztown.
Shane is a right-handed defenseman who just wrapped up an impressive season. Playing in 21 games she tallied 27 points, 18 of them coming from assists. She finds herself teammates with Hernick again, as they both are coming off a season with the Philadelphia Junior Flyers 19U team.
Her assists look simple with clean and smooth passing, but Shane also plays the blue line very well and shoots when she has a clear lane with her heavy slapshot.
Taylor Lum, left wing
The final newest addition to the Nittany Lions is a forward from Ontario, Canada.
Taylor Lum wrapped up her fourth year playing for St. Lawrence University. She played in 38 games scoring nine goals with seven assists, ultimately ending with 16 points. Lum is the one addition coming from the transfer portal.
With St. Lawrence, Lum showed she possesses high versatility and can play a two-way style of forward. She positions herself in front of the net and shows both aggressiveness and control above the crease as she waits for scoring chances.
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