Nov. 16, 2016
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Penn State women's hockey head coach Josh Brandwene announced the signing of six future Penn State student-athletes to National Letters of Intent Wednesday, Nov. 16. Natalie Heising (Maple Grove, Minn.), Cam Leonard (Cary, N.C.), Shea Nelson (Evanston, Ill.), Katie Rankin (Kanata, Ontario, Canada), Morgan Rolph (Mitchell, Ontario, Canada) and Sophie Slattery (Edina, Minn.) will be on campus for the 2017-18 season.
"The 2017 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 both immediate and long term impact on our program both on and off the ice."
NATALIE HEISING
Forward | Maple Grove, Minn. | Wayzata High School | Wayzata Trojans | Minnesota Junior Whitecaps
BEFORE PENN STATE
A member of the U.S. U-18 Women's National Team...2016 All-Lake Conference honoree...Netted 41 points on 20 goals and 21 assists in 25 games during 2015-16...Tallied 35 points on 13 goals and 22 assists in 2014-15.
PERSONAL
Natalie Kathleen Heising was born on June 14, 1999, in Maple Grove, Minnesota...Parents are Patrick and Stacey Heising...Has an older brother, Chase, and a younger sister, Brynn...Intends to major in biomedical engineering.
BRANDWENE ON HEISING
"Natalie is the total package of skill, speed, and tenacity. Her consistent play, intensity, and knack for clutch scoring are what caught our eye. She's fun to watch and will be an immediate presence in our lineup."
HEISING ON PENN STATE
"I chose Penn State for the beautiful campus and the excellent academic program that will prepare me for the rest of my life."
CAM LEONARD
Goalie | Cary, N.C. | Choate Rosemary Hall High School | Mid Fairfield Stars | Carolina Junior Hurricanes
BEFORE PENN STATE
Named team captain for Choate Rosemary Hall for the 2016-17 season...Four-time attendee at the USA Hockey National Player Developmental Camp (2013-16)...Attended the USA Hockey Goalie Development Camp in 2015 & 2016.
PERSONAL
Cameron Davis Leonard was born on April 25, 1999, in Charlotte, North Carolina...Parents are Jim and Jennifer Leonard...Has a younger brother, Cooper...Intends to major in biology.
BRANDWENE ON LEONARD
"Cam is a big-game goaltender that continues the tradition of outstanding goaltending in the Penn State program. She is athletic, efficient, technically sound, is extremely coachable and is a proven competitor and winner."
LEONARD ON PENN STATE
"The coaching staff and the resources available to athletes were both phenomenal. I felt I would be supported as a student-athlete here."
SHEA NELSON
Forward | Evanston, Illinois | Roycemore School | Chicago Mission
BEFORE PENN STATE
Played with the Chicago Mission for three years...Played for the Chicago Young Americans for five years...The Chicago Young Americans won the U-14 national title in 2013.
PERSONAL
Shea Marie Edwards Nelson was born on October 24, 1998, in Evanston, Illinois...Parents are Brad Nelson and Carla Edwards...Has older brother, Andrew, and an older sister, Kyle...Intends to major in psychology or business.
BRANDWENE ON NELSON
"Shea is a fantastic two-way forward with an outstanding hockey IQ, and impressive on ice presence. She has skill, height, strength, and excellent playmaking abilities. Shea will be a difference-maker for us at both ends of the ice."
NELSON ON PENN STATE
"I chose Penn State because I visited a lot of schools and Penn State was my favorite out of all of them. PSU is also a great academic institution with a fantastic hockey program and a really vibrant and exciting campus and student life."
KATIE RANKIN
Forward | Kanata, Ontario, Canada | All Saints Catholic High School | Nepean Junior Wildcats
BEFORE PENN STATE
In her second season with the Nepean Junior Wildcats...Played with Nittany Lion Caileah Forrest during the 2015-16 season...Netted 33 points on 12 goals and 21 assists during 2015-16...Named the alternate captain for the 2016-17 season...Her team won the Stoney Creek Showcase title in 2016.
PERSONAL
Kathryn Maureen Rankin was born on February 19, 1999 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada...Parents are Michael and Kelly Rankin...Has three brothers, Kyle, Conor and Shane...Kyle captained the 2015-16 Princeton men's hockey team...Undecided major.
BRANDWENE ON RANKIN
"Katie is a talented and consistent player in all three zones. Her compete level, puck possession, deft passing and scoring touch are outstanding. She has great offensive instincts, work ethic and dedication."
RANKIN ON PENN STATE
"I chose Penn State because of its academic and athletic excellence as it offers a world of opportunities both on and off the ice. Its sense of pride and community, along with its outstanding alumni network are second to none."
MORGAN ROLPH
Defense | Mitchell, Ontario, Canada | St. Michael's Catholic Secondary School | K-W Rangers
BEFORE PENN STATE
Currently playing with the K-W Rangers...Played for the Cambridge Rivulettes for three seasons...Tallied 44 points on 14 goals and 30 assists during her three seasons with the Rivulettes...Team MVP in 2015-16...2014 Mitchell Minor Sports Female Athlete of the Year.
PERSONAL
Morgan Elizabeth Rolph was born on February 21, 1999, in Stratford, Ontario, Canada...Parents are Jamie and Lisa Rolph...Has two brothers, Brett and Eric...Intends to major in business.
BRANDWENE ON ROLPH
"I am very impressed with Morgan's consistency and well-rounded game. She has great height, strength, on-ice vision, and puck distribution skills, complemented by a cannon of a point shot. She'll be a defensive force for us."
ROLPH ON PENN STATE
"Penn State is a home away from home, no other school can compete with the facilities, education and family atmosphere."
SOPHIE SLATTERY
Forward | Edina, Minn. | Edina High School | Edina Hornets | Minnesota Junior Whitecaps
BEFORE PENN STATE
Two-time all-conference honorable mention honoree...Netted 32 points on 10 goals and 22 assists during her junior season...Tallied 22 points on 10 goals and 12 assists during her sophomore season.
PERSONAL
Sophia Marie Slattery was born on July 14, 1999, in Edina, Minnesota...Parents are Peter and Nicole Slattery...Has two brothers, Casey and C.J...Undecided major.
BRANDWENE ON SLATTERY
"Sophie brings great vision, skating, puck distribution and a nifty scoring touch to our lineup. She competes hard, has great offensive instincts, and possesses excellent hockey IQ and athleticism."
SLATTERY ON PENN STATE
"I chose Penn State because of the amazing academic opportunities and incredible school spirit."