Nov. 19, 2013
2014-15 Women's Hockey Signees
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Nittany Lion women's hockey head coach Josh Brandwene officially announced a signing class of six student-athletes for the 2014-15 season on Tuesday. Penn State welcomes Hannah Ehresmann (Minnetonka, Minn.), Irene Kiroplis (Georgetown, Ont.), Remi Martin (Littleton, Colo.), Caitlin Reilly (Chanhassen, Minn.), Bella Sutton (Shoreview, Minn.) and Christi Vetter (Lakeville, Minn.).
"The 2014 recruiting class continues our program's tradition of signing incredibly well-rounded student-athletes--committed hard-working students who possess tremendous character and outstanding hockey talent," Brandwene said. "As a group they add incredible skill to all positions and will make an immediate and long term impact on our program both on and off the ice."
Included in the class are three forwards, a true defenders and a goaltender, while Kiroplis can play at forward or defense. The class sees four Minnesotans join the squad to bring the projected total for 2014-15 to nine, which would be the highest representation from any state or province.
Ehresmann |
Hannah Ehresmann
Goaltender // 5-8 // Catches Left // Minnetonka, Minn. // Minnetonka HS
BEFORE PENN STATE
Four-year member of the Minnetonka High School program, having won the past two Minnesota State High School championships (2011-12 and 2012-13) with current Nittany Lions Laura Bowman and Amy Petersen...As a sophomore, team went 25-5-1, while splitting time in net and posting 1.21 goals-against average and a save percentage of .928...Improved as a junior in 2012-13, posting a goals-against average of 0.91 and .939 save percentage, while Minnetonka went 27-4-0 en route to a state title...Named to the All-Lake Conference honorable mention team in 2012-13...Will lead Minnetonka as captain this season...USA Hockey Development Camp attendee in 2012 and 2013...Played in 16- and 17-year old All-Star Games...Invited to Warren Strelow Camp in 2013...Played three years with the Minnesota Junior Whitecaps and two years with the Minnesota Girls' Elite League.
PERSONAL
Hannah Marie Ehresmann was born March 19, 1996 in St. Louis Park, Minn. to Mike and Jane Ehresmann...Has two older brothers, Jake and Matt...Intends to major in accounting.
QUOTING EHRESMANN ON PENN STATE
"I chose Penn State for both the academics and athletics it has to offer. I am very excited to be a part Penn State women's hockey and to be playing in Pegula Ice Arena. I also love the atmosphere and college-town feel at Penn State."
QUOTING BRANDWENE ON EHRESMANN
"Hannah is a big-game netminder that continues the tradition of top-flight goaltending in the Penn State program. She is athletic, efficient, technically outstanding, plays with tremendous poise and is a proven competitor and winner."
Kiroplis |
Irene Kiroplis
Forward/Defender // 5-8 // Shoots Right // Georgetown, Ont. // Christ The King Secondary / Brampton Canadettes
BEFORE PENN STATE
Member of the Brampton Canadettes this season, while lettering for fourth season at Christ The King, serving as captain...In 2012-13 as a member of the Brampton Thunder, scored seven goals and served as an assistant captain...Scored 16 goals and 11 assists as captain for Christ the King in 2012-13, following 10-point and 17-point seasons in 2010-11 and 2011-12, respectively...Named Athlete of the Year three times at Christ the King...Three-sport athlete at CTK, earning four berths in the Ontario High School Association Cross Country Championships and winning a Women's Lacrosse Provincial Championship for the U19 C Division C.
PERSONAL
Irene Chrystal Kiroplis was born June 6, 1996 in Mississauga, Ont. to Effie and Chris Kiroplis...Has two younger sisters, Helen and Anna, and a younger brother, George...Intends to major in kinesiology.
QUOTING KIROPLIS ON PENN STATE
"Penn State's great academic opportunities and reputation for sports is just the right fit for me. `We Are Penn State,' describes exactly how I feel about becoming a part of the school's culture, which I know I can contribute to."
QUOTING BRANDWENE ON KIROPLIS
"Conditioning and versatility set Irene apart. She is tireless, very smart both with and without the puck, and excels at both ends of the ice."
Martin |
Remi Martin
Defender // 5-6 // Shoots Right // Littleton, Colo. // Team Pittsburgh (Pa.)
BEFORE PENN STATE
Currently plays for Team Pittsburgh U19AAA Girls and at Heritage High School for the boys' varsity hockey team...Won the Boston Beantown title with Team Pittsburgh in 2013...Previously played on the Arapahoe HS boys' varsity team for two seasons and Colorado Tigers U19 Girls team...Earned bronze at 2013 nationals with the Colorado Tigers...Invited to USA Hockey National Player Development Camp in 2010, 2011 and 2012...Participated in the Rocky Mountain District Camp (2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013).
PERSONAL
Remi Isabella Martin was born July 15, 1996 in Phoenix, Ariz. to Monique and Matthew Martin...Has an older brother, Christian, who runs cross country and track at Nebraska...Intends to major in business.
QUOTING MARTIN ON PENN STATE
"I chose Penn State because it's an awesome university offering an excellent education with a burgeoning Division 1 ice hockey program and incredible opportunities."
QUOTING BRANDWENE ON MARTIN
"Remi is a fantastic multi-dimensional defender. She can contribute equally in both the defensive and offensive zones. Her skating, puck movement and cannon of a shot are fun to watch."
Reilly |
Caitlin Reilly
Forward // 5-5 // Shoots Left // Chanhassen, Minn. // Benilde St. Margaret's
BEFORE PENN STATE
Four-year letter winner at Benilde St. Margaret's School...Earned three All-Conference honors in 2010-11, 2011-12 and 2012-13...Tallied 125 points on 62 goals and 63 assists...Set career highs for goals (28), assists (33) and points (61) junior year, earning All-State honorable mention as team went 25-3-0...Helped lead the Red Knights to three straight Minnesota Section 6AA Finals.
PERSONAL
Caitlin Elizabeth Reilly was born September 5, 1995 in Chicago, Ill. to Mike and Lisa Reilly...Has three older siblings who all are Division I hockey players...Sister, Shannon, played four years for Ohio State, graduating in 2011...Brothers Mikey, Connor and Ryan all play for Minnesota...Intends to major in journalism or communications with the intended career path of a sports reporter.
QUOTING REILLY ON PENN STATE
"I fell in love with Penn State the minute I walked on campus. It's so beautiful with great academics. I'm also very excited I get to play in the new arena and join an up and coming team. I wanted a big school with great athletics."
QUOTING BRANDWENE ON REILLY
"Caitlin brings great vision, lateral movement and a scoring touch to our lineup. She competes hard, has great offensive instincts and possesses excellent strength and athleticism."
Sutton |
Bella Sutton
Defender // 5-6 // Shoots Right // Shoreview, Minn. // Mounds View HS
BEFORE PENN STATE
Five-year letter winner at Mounds View High School, while playing three years for the Minnesota Junior Whitecaps and two years for the Minnesota Elite League's White Team...Participated in the USA Hockey U16 and U18 National Developmental Camps, earning spots on the All-Star Team...Was an alternate for the USA Hockey U15 National Development Camp...Helped lead the Minnesota Elite White Team to the 2013 USA-Canada Cup U19 Championship.
PERSONAL
Isabella Marie Sutton was born January 20, 1996 in St. Paul, Minn. to Ross and Joanie Sutton...Has and older brother, Sam, an older sister, Sierra and a younger brother, Joe...Plans to major in pre-med the intent of attending medical school.
QUOTING SUTTON ON PENN STATE
"I chose Penn State because it was the perfect combination of great academics and athletics. It will be an amazing home to me for the next four years."
QUOTING BRANDWENE ON SUTTON
"Bella has tremendous vision and footwork which sets her apart as an outstanding contributor at both ends of the ice. She takes care of the net, sees the ice well and joins the rush at just the right time."
Vetter |
Christi Vetter
Forward // 5-11 // Shoots Right // Lakeview, Minn. // Lakeview North HS
BEFORE PENN STATE
Standout forward for Lakeview North High School, earning three All-Conference First Team honors helping Lakeview North to the Minnesota State Final Four the past two seasons...Helped the team to two Suburban Conference and sectional titles in 2011-12 and 2012-13...Led the team to a fourth-place state finish in 2011-12 and a third-place finish in 2012-13 following the longest game in tournament history, a six-overtime loss to Minnetonka vs. future Nittany Lion teammates Laura Bowman and Amy Petersen...Tallied 163 points on 82 goals and 91 assists in the first four years of high school-level hockey...Leading Lakeview North as team captain in 2013-14...Played on the USA Hockey U18 National Team in 2012...Took part in the USA Hockey U18 August 2012 Fest and in USA Hockey Developmental Team Camps in 2011 and 2012...Four-year letter winner in golf and leading the team as captain the past two seasons, earning All-Conference First Team honors 2010-13...Three-year letter winner in cross country (2009-12), earning a spot in the state race in 2010 and All-Conference honorable mention in 2010.
PERSONAL
Christine Rose Vetter was born September 7, 1995 in Houston, Texas to Jane and Paul Vetter...Mother, Jane, played softball at Nebraska (1986-90)...Has two younger sisters, Brianna and Skylar...Cousin, Laura Kremer, played volleyball at Iowa (2005-08)...Plans to major in biochemistry and molecular biology with the intent of attending medical school.
QUOTING VETTER ON PENN STATE
"As soon as I set foot on campus I knew I would be a Nittany Lion. Penn State's tremendous academic reputation and legendary support of their student athletes made it impossible to say no. I believe the coaching staff has assembled a team of athletes with great character and outstanding work ethic on and off the ice."
QUOTING BRANDWENE ON VETTER
"Christi brings height, strength, and intensity to our lineup. She is offensively gifted, has a great hockey IQ, blocks shots, and is as fierce a competitor as you will ever meet. Christi is tough to play against and fun to watch."