BOSTON – Suffolk women's hockey head coach Taylor Wasylk has announced the addition of five incoming student-athletes that will join the program for second season in 2019-20.
The group features to transfers in junior transfers Maddy Burton and Meagan MacNeil and a trio of three freshmen Cassidy Gruning, Julia McLellan and Madison Ricardo.
"I am very excited about our newcomers this year," Wasylk said.
The Rams capitalized on a pair of stealthy Division I transfers. Burton comes to Beantown from Merrimack and MacNeil switched to skate at Suffolk from Saint Anselm's.
"Maddy (Burton) and Meagan (MacNeil) are expected to make positive contributors this season," said Wasylk. "Coming from DI Merrimack I expect Maddy to have an immediate impact on our offense and special teams. Meagan also comes from a great program in DI-Independent Saint Anselm, so she will add some great depth to our strong defense core and I expect her to contribute a lot offensively as well."
MADDY BURTON | F | JR. | 5-0| AURORA, ILL. / MERRIMACK COLLEGE / CHICAGO MISSION
BEFORE SUFFOLK – MERRIMACK (2017-19)
Started her collegiate career at Merrimack … Played two seasons with the Warriors, competing in 77 games … Scored one goal … Hockey East All-Academic honoree in 2017-18 … Two-year Dean's List student.
BEFORE SUFFOLK – CHICAGO MISSION – USA HOCKEY – OSWEGO EAST
Competed for the Chicago Mission of the High Performance Hockey League (HPHL) for four seasons … Helped Chicago Mission to four league and state titles … Competed for USA Hockey's U19 team … Played in 81 games for the red, white and blue, accumulating 10 points on seven goals and three assists … Member of the second-place USA Jr. Nationals team … Belonged to two USA Jr. Nationals squads that finished third … Honor Roll student.
MEAGAN MACNEIL | D | JR. | 5-9 | WEYMOUTH, MASS. / SAINT ANSELM COLLEGE / BOSTON SHAMROCKS
BEFORE SUFFOLK – SAINT ANSELM (2017-19)
Began her collegiate career at Saint Anselm's where she competed in two seasons on the Blue Line with the Hawks … Laced up her skates in 11 games … Handed out a pair of assists … Finished with a plus-1.
BEFORE SUFFOLK – BOSTON SHAMROCKS – WEYMOUTH
Competed for the Boston Shamrocks of the JWHL … Seventh Player Award recipient … Two-year letterwinner at Weymouth and captained the team as a sophomore … Named Defensive Player of the Year in 2014-15 … Two-year letterwinner in lacrosse … Lacrosse MVP as a sophomore … Also played Walpole Express of the EWHC in 2015-16 … Honor Roll student.
Wasylk has a knack for transforming first-year players into standout sensations as proved by last year's 23-skater squad built up primary of freshman. This year, she brought in a trio of true rookies to add to the mix.
"Julia (McLellan) will add some great competition to our goaltending position, while I expect Cassidy (Gruning) and Madison(Ricardo) to make immediate impacts on our offense. All three freshmen come from great programs and we are excited to see them in the blue-and-gold this season."
CASSIDY GRUNING | F | FR. | 5-7 | TEWKSBURY, MASS. / TEWKSBURY
BEFORE SUFFOLK – BOSTON JR. SHAMROCKS – TEWKSBURY MEMORIAL
Competed for the Boston Jr. Shamrocks of the NEGHL … Anchored the Shamrocks to the 2018 Massachusetts State Championship … Letterwinner at Tewksbury Memorial … Led Tewksbury Memorial to the 2019 MIAA State Championship … Helped Tewksbury Memorial to a 2018 MIAA State Runner-Up Finish … All-MVC First-Team selection as a senior … All-MVC second-team honoree in 2018 … 2019 Boston Herald "Dream Team" selection … Two-year letterwinner in track & field … Two-year member of Nationals Honors Society … Three-year Principal's List student … Boston Globe All-Scholastic selection.
JULIA MCLELLAN | G | FR. | 5-1 | GROSSE POINTE, WOODS, MICH. / STANSTEAD COLLEGE
BEFORE SUFFOLK – STANSTEAD COLLEGE
Letterwinner at Stanstead College … Backstopped Stanstead College to two NAPHA League Championships … Michigan Interscholastic Hockey League All-League Honorable Mention in 2016-17 … 2016-17 Grosse Pointe North Varsity Boy's Hockey Rookie of the Year … Also lettered in cross country and track & field … Manger of Stanstead College Lacrosse in 2019 … Two-time Stanstead College Headmaster's List … Served as Stanstead College Prefect in 2018-19.
MADISON RICARDO | F | FR. | 5-2 | NOBLETON, ONTARIO / BRAMPTON JR. CANADETTES (PWHL)
BEFORE SUFFOLK – BRAMPTON JR. CANADETTES (PWHL) – ST. JOAN OF ARC
Played for the Brampton Jr. Canadettes of the PWHL ... Letterwinner at St. Joan of Arc and captained the team in 2016 ... Also played frisbee ... Ontario Scholars Award recipient ... Four-year Honor Roll student-athlete.