In its quest to reach the Frozen Four, the Harvard women’s hockey team will rely on the impact of a savvy sextet of freshmen.

The group, featuring a rising superstar, two offensive weapons, a pair of defensive anchors and a promising injured prospect, has endeared itself to the returning teammates and seems poised to add depth, tenacity and firepower to a loaded and ambitious roster.

“They’ve stepped into the program right away,” tri-captain Nicole Corriero said. “They all have great attitudes, and seem to know what it means to be a Harvard hockey player.”

FRENCH MISS

Canadian National Team member and prized recruit Sarah Vaillancourt, who will be thrust immediately into a starting role on the first line, highlights the group and stands to be one of the top rookies in all of college hockey.

“Sarah will get plenty of accolades just because she’s so talented,” Harvard coach Katey Stone said. “She’s tough as nails, she’s smart, and she has better hands than any kid I’ve coached.”

A native of Quebec, Vaillancourt spoke almost no English as of two years ago, but now, by all accounts, communicates flawlessly with her teammates. Vaillancourt has lead her teammates early on by her example in setting aside her highly touted status.

She even talks around the dorms apparently, as this sentiment was confirmed in Pennypacker Hall.

“When she talks about [hockey], her face lights up. I can’t imagine anyone loving it more,” roommate Meaghan Colling said.

THE MACKENZIE REPORT

The team expects to count freshman Jessica Mackenzie, a Wisconsin native, among its backline stalwarts to help fill the void left by the departure of Angela Ruggiero ’02-’04.

Much like the departed star, in the defensive zone, Mackenzie is a natural, something she developed growing up in the icy Badger State and playing hockey since age seven.

“Mackenzie is a solid defenseman who reads the game really well,” Stone said. “Very poised. She will see a lot of time for us.”

Mackenzie credits her ease on the rink to her father—a Canadian native who played semi-pro hockey after high school in the IHL—and his constant advice and companionship through her experiences with youth hockey. Now at the Division I level, Mackenzie is doing her part to vicariously fulfill a dream of her father.

“It’s cool to be playing college hockey,” Mackenzie said. “Because one thing he said: if he could go back, he’d want to play in college.”