“There’s a lot of skill in that group,” Bellamy says. “They’re dangerous players, especially Gedman with her shot from the point. Jackie has done a good job with her size and strength.”
Meanwhile, Fry is joined by McDonald, Armstrong, and Parker on the offensive unit, where they are learning from some talented veterans.
“For the most part, all of the freshmen are thrown in with the upperclassmen—it’s not like we’re all on one line together,” Fry explains. “And I love it. Every practice, every play, they’re always trying to get us better.”
But so far, the biggest contribution the freshmen have made to Harvard hockey is the fresh energy they bring to the team.
“They’re characters,” Stone admits. “Trust me—they’re characters. We’ve had a lot of fun off the ice already.”
Fry and Young can’t help but laugh when asked about their off-ice antics, recalling a recent team dinner at Coskren’s house when Fry began playing the piano as her classmates sang Christmas carols—in the middle of October.
“There were literally times at that dinner when I was laughing to the point where I couldn’t breathe,” Fry says. “It’s just the silliest stuff, but we never have a dull moment.”
“And I think the main reason we have so much fun is because we know we can feel comfortable with the team,” Young adds. “If we didn’t feel so comfortable, I don’t think we would be as much of ourselves.”
Stone hopes that the evident off-ice chemistry will translate into on-ice results for her youngest players.
“They’re great kids,” she says. “First things first, we recruit great kids and people that are going to be a fine addition to the locker room. I mean, everybody’s different, and we want kids who love the diversity. But the number one thing is, they’ve got to be a great teammate first.”
As the seven rookies look to find their role on the team, the chance to be a part of Harvard hockey is already a dream come true in itself.
“Just seeing the jersey in the locker with the ‘Harvard’ on it, and your name on the back...it’s similar to the feeling you get when you play for the USA team,” Young says. “It’s something you dream of as a kid, and like I said, you look up to those girls that do it, and then you’re finally there, and the jersey has your name on it.”
—Staff writer Kate Leist can be reached at kleist@fas.harvard.edu.