Women's Ice Hockey | 10/30/2025 11:00:00 AM
The 2025-26 Empire 8 Women's Ice Hockey season gets underway on Friday, October 31. For the first time, the Empire 8 will crown an Empire 8 Champion. The team with the mpst points at the end of the season will receive the E8 title.
2025-26 Empire 8 Women's Ice Hockey Players to Watch
(Sorted Alphabetically by Institution)
Elmira College - Head Coach Greg Haney
Gabby Dougherty (Sr., D, Chelsea, MI) – Dougherty tallied 16 points on the blueline, including four powerplay goals. She was an All-NEHC first team selection a season ago after transferring from Syracuse University following the 2023-24 season.
Anna Lugge (Jr., F, Freeburg, IL) – Lugge garnered All-NEHC second team honors during the 2024-25 season. She finished third on the team a season ago in points (31) with a team-leading plus/minus of +32. Lugge has 55 points on 23 goals and 32 assists over her first two seasons.
Nazareth University - Head Coach Chris Baudo
Amy Laskowski, So, F, Clarendon Hills, IL – Laskowski enjoyed an incredible debut season in 2024-25, earning AHCA All-American honors and was a finalist for the Laura Hurd Award as AHCA National Player of the Year. She was also the 2024-25 UCHC Co-Player of the Year and UCHC Rookie of the Year after recording 30 points in 16 goals and 14 assists.
Allie Zack, So, D, Lake Zurich, IL – Zack was named the 2024-25 UCHC Defensive Player of the Year. She tied for second on team with 21 points on six goals and 15 assists
St. John Fisher University - Head Coach Scott McDonald
Sophie Grant, Fr., F, Media, PA – Grant earned Penncrest team’s Playmaker of the Year and lead the team to a league championship her sophomore year. She earned team MVP honors her junior and senior year.
Keira Reckley, Fr., F, Frisco, TX – Reckley earned Player of the Year and Forward of the Year honors when playing for Ontario Hockey Academy.
Utica University - Head Coach Melissa Lomanto
Tess Barrett, Sr. D, Tewksbury, MA – Barrett, a former UCHC All-Rookie Team selection in 2022-23 and All-UCHC second team pick in 2023-24, has recorded 49 points on seven goals and 42 assists in 82 career contests. She had 16 points and was plus-18 last season.
Kaci Ryder, Sr., F, Shrewsbury, MA – Ryder was an All-UCHC second team selection in 2024-25 after recording 20 points on seven goals and 13 assists in 26 games. She was also named to the 2024 UCHC Championship All-Tournament Team.
2024-25 Empire 8 Men's Ice Hockey Returning All-Americans, All-Region & Major Award Winners
- Amy Laskowski, Nazareth, So., F, Clarendon Hills, IL - 2024-25 CCM/AHCA Third Team All-American