2025–26 Wisconsin Badgers women's ice hockey season

2025–26 Wisconsin Badgers
women's ice hockey season
ConferenceWCHA
Home iceLaBahn Arena
Rankings
USA Today#1
USCHO.com#1
Record
Overall18–1–1
Conference12–1–1
Home9–1–0
Road5–0–1
Neutral4–0–0
Coaches and captains
Head coachMark Johnson
Assistant coachesDan Koch
Jackie Crum
Mark Greenhalgh
CaptainCaroline Harvey
Alternate captain(s)Lacey Eden
Laila Edwards
Kelly Gorbatenko
Marianne Picard
Wisconsin Badgers women's ice hockey seasons
« 2024–25 2026–27 »

The 2025–26 Wisconsin Badgers women's ice hockey season will represent the University of Wisconsin–Madison during the 2025–26 NCAA Division I women's ice hockey season. They will play their home games at LaBahn Arena and are coached by Mark Johnson in his 23nd season.

Offseason

Recruiting

Player[1][2] Position Nationality Notes
Nicole Gorbatenko[3] Forward  United States Two year attendee of the U18 National Camp for Team USA, sister of Kelly Gorbatenko[4]
Rachel Gorbatenko[5] Defense  United States Won a gold medal with Team USA, sister of Kelly Gorbatenko[4]
Mackenzie Jones[6][7] Defense  United States Three year attendee of the U18 National Camp for Team USA
Charlotte Pieckenhagen[8] Forward  Canada Won a bronze medal at the 2024 U18 Women's World Championship
Adéla Šapovalivová[9] Forward Czechia Won a silver medal at the 2024 U18 Women's World Championship
Rhyah Stewart[10][11][12] Goalie  Canada Won a bronze medal at the 2024 U18 Women's World Championship

Departing players

Player Position Nationality Notes
Sarah Wozniewicz Forward  Canada Drafted by the Ottawa Charge[13][14]
Casey O'Brien Forward  United States Drafted by the New York Sirens[13][14]
Katie Kotlowski Forward  United States Graduated
Quinn Kuntz Goalie  United States Graduated

PWHL Draft

Round Pick Player[13] Team
1 3 Casey O'Brien New York Sirens[14]
3 17 Makenna Webster New York Sirens[14]
3 21 Sarah Wozniewicz Ottawa Charge[14]
4 27 Maddi Wheeler New York Sirens[14]

Preseason

The Badgers were chosen to win the 2025-26 WCHA regular season title by the league's head coaches. Caroline Harvey was selected as the WCHA Preseason Player of the Year and Adéla Šapovalivová was voted by the coaches as the WCHA Preseason Rookie of the Year. For the preseason All WCHA team, Kirsten Simms and Harvey were chosen.[15]

Roster

As of September 14, 2025.[1]

No. Nat. Player Class Pos Height DoB Hometown Previous team
1 Rhyah Stewart Freshman G 5' 8" (1.73 m) 2006-11-23 Antigonish, Nova Scotia West Kent Steamers
2 Finley McCarthy Sophomore F 5' 9" (1.75 m) 2005-12-09 Whitefish, Montana Bishop Kearney Selects
3 Mackenzie Jones Freshman D 5' 11" (1.8 m) 2007-01-18 Andover, Minnesota Andover High School
4 Caroline Harvey (C) Senior D 5' 8" (1.73 m) 2002-10-14 Salem, New Hampshire North American Hockey Academy
5 Rachel Gorbatenko Freshman F 5' 11" (1.8 m) 2007-03-07 Barrington, Illinois Chicago Mission
6 Lacey Eden (A) Fifth Year (RS) F 5' 8" (1.73 m) 2002-05-02 Annapolis, Maryland Shattuck-Saint Mary's
7 Kelly Gorbatenko (A) Junior F 5' 11" (1.8 m) 2004-08-05 Barrington, Illinois Chicago Mission
8 Hannah Halverson Sophomore F 5' 6" (1.68 m) 2005-10-25 Edina, Minnesota Edina High School
9 Ava Murphy Junior D 5' 9" (1.75 m) 2005-04-15 Kitchener, Ontario Oakville Hornets
10 Laila Edwards (A) Senior F 6' 1" (1.85 m) 2004-01-25 Cleveland Heights, Ohio Selects Academy
11 Cassie Hall Junior F 5' 6" (1.68 m) 2005-10-18 South Lyon, Michigan Little Caesars
12 McKayla Zilisch Senior F 5' 7" (1.7 m) 2004-04-26 Appleton, Wisconsin Bemidji State
14 Maggie Scannell Sophomore F 5' 10" (1.78 m) 2006-03-24 Wynantskill, New York Shattuck-Saint Mary's
15 Nicole Gorbatenko Freshman F 5' 11" (1.8 m) 2007-07-20 Barrington, Illinois Chicago Mission
16 Claire Enright Senior (RS) F 5' 5" (1.65 m) 2004-04-16 Farmington, Minnesota Lakeville South High School
17 Grace Bickett Sophomore D 5' 4" (1.63 m) 2006-05-31 Orono, Minnesota Orono High School
18 Marianne Picard (A) Fifth Year (RS) F 5' 6" (1.68 m) 2002-11-13 Repentigny, Quebec Stanstead College
19 Bella Vasseur Junior F 5' 7" (1.7 m) 2005-02-15 Oregon, Wisconsin Bishop Kearney Selects
20 Vivian Jungels Senior D 5' 7" (1.7 m) 2003-10-08 Edina, Minnesota Edina High School
21 Emma Venusio Sophomore D 5' 6" (1.68 m) 2006-09-21 Toronto, Ontario Etobicoke
22 Laney Potter Junior D 5' 11" (1.8 m) 2004-12-05 Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania Philadelphia Jr. Flyers
24 Charlotte Pieckenhagen Freshman F 5' 10" (1.78 m) 2006-01-18 St. Catharines, Ontario Burlington Jr. Barracudas
26 Adéla Šapovalivová Freshman F 5' 4" (1.63 m) 2006-05-17 Beroun, Czechia MoDo
27 Kirsten Simms Senior F 5' 6" (1.68 m) 2004-08-31 Plymouth, Michigan Little Caesars
30 Ava McNaughton Junior G 6' 0" (1.83 m) 2004-10-27 Seven Fields, Pennsylvania Bishop Kearney Selects
32 Chloe Baker Senior (RS) G 5' 6" (1.68 m) 2004-07-02 Hermosa Beach, California Chicago Mission

Standings

2025–26 Western Collegiate Hockey Association standings
Conference Overall
GP W L T OTW OTL SOW PTS GF GA GP W L T GF GA
#2 Ohio State 12 11 1 0 1 0 0 32 54 20 14 13 1 0 68 27
#1 Wisconsin 12 10 1 1 1 0 1 31 63 20 16 14 1 1 85 21
#3 Minnesota 12 8 4 0 0 0 0 24 47 32 16 12 4 0 75 35
#6 Minnesota Duluth 12 6 6 0 0 0 0 18 30 31 16 10 6 0 47 37
#15 Minnesota State 12 4 7 1 0 1 1 15 21 38 16 8 7 1 36 43
St. Thomas 12 3 9 0 2 3 0 10 23 43 18 8 10 0 53 56
#14 St. Cloud State 12 2 9 1 1 2 0 8 33 48 16 5 10 1 46 51
Bemidji State 12 2 9 1 1 0 0 6 17 56 14 4 9 1 24 57
Championship: March 7, 2026
† indicates conference regular season champion; * indicates conference tournament champion
Rankings: USCHO.com; updated November 25, 2025
Source: WCHA

Schedule and results

Date Time Opponent# Rank# Site Decision Result Attendance Record Ref
Regular Season
September 26 6:02 PM at Bemidji State #1 Sanford Center • Bemidji, MN McNaughton W 9–2  313 1–0–0 (1–0–0) [Recap 1]
September 27 3:02 PM at Bemidji State #1 Sanford Center • Bemidji, MN McNaughton W 5–0  218 2–0–0 (2–0–0) [Recap 2]
October 3 7:00 PM Maine* #1 LaBahn Arena • Madison, WI McNaughton W 5–0  2,273 3–0–0 [Recap 3]
October 4 2:00 PM Maine* #1 LaBahn Arena • Madison, WI McNaughton W 5–0  2,273 4–0–0 [Recap 4]
October 11 11:00 AM #4 Minnesota Duluth #1 LaBahn Arena • Madison, WI McNaughton W 4–3  2,273 5–0–0 (3–0–0) [Recap 5]
October 12 1:00 PM #4 Minnesota Duluth #1 LaBahn Arena • Madison, WI McNaughton W 4–0  2,273 6–0–0 (4–0–0) [Recap 6]
October 17 11:07 AM vs. Vermont* #1 Mohawk Harbor Arena • Albany, NY (Icebreaker Tournament Semifinal) McNaughton W 8–1  313 7–0–0 [Recap 7]
October 18 2:37 PM vs. Union* #1 Mohawk Harbor Arena • Albany, NY (Icebreaker Tournament Championship) McNaughton W 4–0  700 8–0–0 [Recap 8]
October 25 2:00 PM Minnesota State #1 LaBahn Arena • Madison, WI McNaughton W 4–0  2,273 9–0–0 (5–0–0) [Recap 9]
October 26 2:00 PM Minnesota State #1 LaBahn Arena • Madison, WI McNaughton W 8–0  2,273 10–0–0 (6–0–0) [Recap 10]
October 31 6:00 PM #3 Minnesota #1 LaBahn Arena • Madison, WI (Rivalry) McNaughton L 1–5  2,273 10–1–0 (6–1–0) [Recap 11]
November 1 2:00 PM #3 Minnesota #1 LaBahn Arena • Madison, WI (Rivalry) McNaughton W 7–2  2,273 11–1–0 (7–1–0) [Recap 12]
November 14 6:00 PM at #10 St. Cloud State #1 Herb Brooks National Hockey Center • St. Cloud, MN McNaughton W 5–1  273 12–1–0 (8–1–0) [Recap 13]
November 15 2:00 PM at #10 St. Cloud State #1 Herb Brooks National Hockey Center • St. Cloud, MN McNaughton T 4–4 SOW 943 12–1–1 (8–1–1) [Recap 14]
November 20 7:00 PM #15 St. Thomas #1 LaBahn Arena • Madison, WI McNaughton W 8–0  2,273 13–1–1 (9–1–1) [Recap 15]
November 21 7:00 PM #15 St. Thomas #1 LaBahn Arena • Madison, WI McNaughton W 4–3 OT 2,273 14–1–1 (10–1–1) [Recap 16]
November 29 2:00 PM vs. Mercyhurst* #1 Ford Ice Center • Nashville, TN (Smashville Women's Collegiate Hockey Showcase) McNaughton W 5–1  530 15–1–1 [Recap 17]
November 30 11:00 AM vs. Stonehill* #1 Ford Ice Center • Nashville, TN (Smashville Women's Collegiate Hockey Showcase) Stewart W 17–2  300 16–1–1 [Recap 18]
December 5 5:00 PM at #2 Ohio State #1 Ohio State University Ice Rink • Columbus, OH McNaughton W 2–1  744 17–1–1 (11–1–1) [Recap 19]
December 6 2:00 PM at #2 Ohio State #1 Ohio State University Ice Rink • Columbus, OH McNaughton W 6–1  703 18–1–1 (12–1–1) [Recap 20]
January 9 3:02 PM at Minnesota Duluth Amsoil Arena • Duluth, MN   
January 10 2:02 PM at Minnesota Duluth Amsoil Arena • Duluth, MN   
January 16 2:00 PM at St. Thomas Lee and Penny Anderson Arena • St. Paul, MN   
January 17 2:00 PM at St. Thomas Lee and Penny Anderson Arena • St. Paul, MN   
January 23 TBD Bemidji State LaBahn Arena • Madison, WI   
January 24 TBD Bemidji State LaBahn Arena • Madison, WI   
January 30 TBD at Minnesota Ridder Arena • Minneapolis, MN   
January 31 TBD at Minnesota Ridder Arena • Minneapolis, MN   
February 6 TBD Ohio State LaBahn Arena • Madison, WI   
February 7 TBD Ohio State LaBahn Arena • Madison, WI   
February 13 3:00 PM at Minnesota State Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center • Mankato, MN   
February 14 2:00 PM at Minnesota State Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center • Mankato, MN   
February 20 TBD St. Cloud State LaBahn Arena • Madison, WI   
February 21 TBD St. Cloud State LaBahn Arena • Madison, WI   
*Non-conference game. #Rankings from USCHO.com Poll. All times are in Central Time.
Source:[16]

Milestones

Player Milestone Date
Maggie Scannell First collegiate hat trick September 26, 2025[17]
Charlotte Pieckenhagen First collegiate goal
Adéla Šapovalivová First collegiate assist
First collegiate goal September 27, 2025[18]
Lacey Eden 100th career assist October 17, 2025[19]
Caroline Harvey 150th career point October 18, 2025[20]
Most goals by a Wisconsin defender November 14, 2025[21]
Kirsten Simms 200th career point November 15, 2025[22]
Grace Bickett First collegiate goal November 20, 2025[23]
Caroline Harvey Most points by a WCHA defender November 29, 2025[24]
Lacey Eden 200th career point November 30, 2025[25]
Laila Edwards 100th career assist
McKayla Zilisch First goal with Wisconsin
First collegiate hat trick
Team Most goals scored in team history

References

  1. ^ a b "2025-26 Women's Hockey Roster". Wisconsin Badgers. Retrieved September 14, 2025.
  2. ^ Kennedy, Ian (July 10, 2025). "Recruiting Class: Incoming Players Set To Bolster National Champs In Wisconsin". The Hockey News. Retrieved September 27, 2025.
  3. ^ "Nicole Gorbatenko Commits to Wisconsin – Chicago Mission Tier I AAA Hockey". Retrieved September 27, 2025.
  4. ^ a b "Skating Sisters: Gorbatenko Trio Building Their Game Playing In Illinois – Chicago Mission Tier I AAA Hockey". Retrieved September 27, 2025.
  5. ^ "Rachel Gorbatenko Commits to Wisconsin – Chicago Mission Tier I AAA Hockey". Retrieved September 27, 2025.
  6. ^ Staff, Y. H. H. (March 10, 2024). "2024 GHS Player of the Year". Youth Hockey Hub. Retrieved September 27, 2025.
  7. ^ Felska, Derek (November 12, 2024). "GHS: Games of the Week (Nov. 12-16)". Youth Hockey Hub. Retrieved September 27, 2025.
  8. ^ "Road to CSSRA Student Stories: Charlotte Pieckenhagen '24 | News | Ridley College". www.ridleycollege.com. Retrieved September 27, 2025.
  9. ^ O'Brien, Derek (April 14, 2025). "Adela Sapovolivova 'Not The Biggest Player But Not Afraid To Play Against Anybody'". The Hockey News. Retrieved September 27, 2025.
  10. ^ Kennedy, Ian (June 21, 2023). "Wisconsin Commit Rhyah Stewart Earns QMJHL Invite". The Hockey News. Retrieved September 27, 2025.
  11. ^ Kennedy, Ian (September 10, 2024). "Rhyah Stewart Set To Become First Woman To Play Junior A Hockey In Maritime League". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved September 27, 2025.
  12. ^ Fraser, Jeremy (May 26, 2023). "Badgers nation: Cape Breton's Rhyah Stewart commits to Wisconsin women's hockey program". Retrieved September 27, 2025.
  13. ^ a b c "O'Brien, Wozniewicz picked in PWHL Draft". Wisconsin Badgers. June 24, 2025. Retrieved September 14, 2025.
  14. ^ a b c d e f Kennedy, Ian (October 16, 2025). "Full List Of PWHL Training Camp Rosters". The Hockey News. Retrieved October 20, 2025.
  15. ^ "Wisconsin Tops WCHA 2025-26 Preseason Coaches Poll". wcha.com. September 8, 2025. Retrieved September 15, 2025.
  16. ^ "2025-26 Women's Hockey Schedule". Wisconsin Badgers. Retrieved September 14, 2025.
  17. ^ "No. 1 Badgers begin the new season with 9-2 victory over BSU". Wisconsin Badgers. September 26, 2025. Retrieved October 21, 2025.
  18. ^ "No. 1 Wisconsin shuts out Bemidji, 5-0 for series sweep". Wisconsin Badgers. September 27, 2025. Retrieved October 21, 2025.
  19. ^ "No. 1 Badgers advance to Ice Breaker Tournament championship". Wisconsin Badgers. October 17, 2025. Retrieved October 21, 2025.
  20. ^ "No. 1 Wisconsin wins Ice Breaker Tournament". Wisconsin Badgers. October 18, 2025. Retrieved October 21, 2025.
  21. ^ Wakefield, Lily (October 26, 2025). "No. 1 Badgers defeat No. 10/12 Huskies, 5-1". Wisconsin Badgers. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
  22. ^ Wakefield, Lily (October 26, 2025). "No. 1 Badgers tie No. 10/12 Huskies, win shootout". Wisconsin Badgers. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
  23. ^ Wakefield, Lily (November 21, 2025). "No. 1 Badgers take down No. 15 Tommies". Wisconsin Badgers. Retrieved December 7, 2025.
  24. ^ Wakefield, Lily (November 21, 2025). "No. 1 Badgers secure win over Lakers in Nashville". Wisconsin Badgers. Retrieved December 7, 2025.
  25. ^ Wakefield, Lily (November 21, 2025). "No. 1 Badgers smash the record book against Stonehill". Wisconsin Badgers. Retrieved December 7, 2025.

Recaps

  1. ^ "Wisconsin vs Bemidji State". uwbadgers.com. University of Wisconsin Athletics. September 26, 2025. Retrieved October 6, 2025.
  2. ^ "Wisconsin vs Bemidji State". uwbadgers.com. University of Wisconsin Athletics. September 27, 2025. Retrieved October 6, 2025.
  3. ^ "Maine vs Wisconsin". uwbadgers.com. University of Wisconsin Athletics. October 3, 2025. Retrieved October 6, 2025.
  4. ^ "Maine vs Wisconsin". uwbadgers.com. University of Wisconsin Athletics. October 4, 2025. Retrieved October 6, 2025.
  5. ^ "Minnesota Duluth vs Wisconsin". uwbadgers.com. University of Wisconsin Athletics. October 11, 2025. Retrieved October 12, 2025.
  6. ^ "Minnesota Duluth vs Wisconsin". uwbadgers.com. University of Wisconsin Athletics. October 12, 2025. Retrieved October 13, 2025.
  7. ^ "Vermont vs Wisconsin". uwbadgers.com. University of Wisconsin Athletics. October 17, 2025. Retrieved October 19, 2025.
  8. ^ "Wisconsin vs Union". uwbadgers.com. University of Wisconsin Athletics. October 18, 2025. Retrieved October 19, 2025.
  9. ^ "Minnesota State vs Wisconsin". uwbadgers.com. University of Wisconsin Athletics. October 25, 2025. Retrieved October 26, 2025.
  10. ^ "Minnesota State vs Wisconsin". uwbadgers.com. University of Wisconsin Athletics. October 26, 2025. Retrieved October 27, 2025.
  11. ^ "Minnesota vs Wisconsin". uwbadgers.com. University of Wisconsin Athletics. October 31, 2025. Retrieved November 1, 2025.
  12. ^ "Minnesota vs Wisconsin". uwbadgers.com. University of Wisconsin Athletics. November 1, 2025. Retrieved November 1, 2025.
  13. ^ "Wisconsin at St. Cloud State". uwbadgers.com. University of Wisconsin Athletics. November 14, 2025. Retrieved November 15, 2025.
  14. ^ "Wisconsin at St. Cloud State". uwbadgers.com. University of Wisconsin Athletics. November 15, 2025. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
  15. ^ "St. Thomas vs Wisconsin". uwbadgers.com. University of Wisconsin Athletics. November 20, 2025. Retrieved November 21, 2025.
  16. ^ "St. Thomas vs Wisconsin". uwbadgers.com. University of Wisconsin Athletics. November 21, 2025. Retrieved November 26, 2025.
  17. ^ "Mercyhurst vs Wisconsin". uwbadgers.com. University of Wisconsin Athletics. November 29, 2025. Retrieved December 7, 2025.
  18. ^ "Stonehill vs Wisconsin". uwbadgers.com. University of Wisconsin Athletics. November 30, 2025. Retrieved December 7, 2025.
  19. ^ "Wisconsin vs. Ohio State". uwbadgers.com. University of Wisconsin Athletics. December 5, 2025. Retrieved December 7, 2025.
  20. ^ "Wisconsin vs. Ohio State". uwbadgers.com. University of Wisconsin Athletics. December 6, 2025. Retrieved December 7, 2025.
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