MADISON, Wis. -- The Wisconsin women's hockey program and head coach Mark Johnson announced the signing of seven student-athletes for the 2016-17 season on Tuesday.

Joining the Badgers next fall are goaltenders Alyson Baldwin (Richmond, Texas) and Nicole Cece (Oakville, Ontario), forwards Alexis Mauermann (Janesville, Wisconsin), Presley Norby (Shorewood, Minnesota) and Abby Roque (Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan) and defensemen Maddie Rowe (River Falls, Wisconsin) and MeKenzie Steffen (Centerville, Minnesota).

"It's a big class," Johnson said. "It's probably one or two players bigger than what we normally have, but with eight seniors graduating we need to fill positions and bring kids in who are capable of playing next year and helping the team. In saying that, you look at the group and whether in net, on the blue line or up front, there's a lot of exciting players and kids who have experienced good things at their respective club and high school teams but also at the national and international level."

Between the seven players, five have represented their respective countries at international events, including Norby, who played earlier this month for the United States National Team at the 2015 Four Nations Cup, helping Team USA win gold.

Alyson BaldwinBaldwin, a Richmond, Texas native, will add depth to the Badgers' goaltenders with her high school, club, and international experience. As a freshman, Baldwin played for the Alliance Bulldogs U-16 team, where her .964 save percentage and four-straight shutouts helped the team win the 2012 Rocky Mountain District Championship. The following year, she won the Tier 1 Rocky Mountain District Championship with the Dallas Stars Elite U-19. Last season with Kent School in Connecticut, Baldwin was named the Defensive Player of the Year, recording 406 saves during a 20-1-1 season and notched a shutout en route to the team's first-ever Founder's League championship. Baldwin also competed with the CT Southern Stars, which secured a third-place finish at the Tier 1 AAA National Championships last season.

In 2013, she skated at the Under-18 USA National Player Development Camp. That same year Baldwin, who holds dual citizenship with Russia, was invited to skate with the Russian Women's National team prior to the 2014 Winter Olympic Games. She also attended The International Goaltending School in Riga, Latvia, where she skated with the USSR 1980 Olympic starting goaltender Vladislav Tretiak.

Personal: Dad is Michael Baldwin… has a 19-year old brother Sean, and 17-year old brother Trey… catches left… intends to major in Russian… role model is J.J Watt… started playing hockey at 10.

Johnson on Baldwin: "Alyson has a Russian background and the steps that she has had to take to become a good goaltender says a lot about her. She has a tremendous work ethic and has overcome a lot of hurdles and challenges to get where she's at. Alyson had a great experience skating with the Russian national team prior to the 2014 Winter Olympics, which we believe helped her confidence. She will get an opportunity to come in here and get a great education and also compete for playing time."

Nicole CeceA goaltender from Oakville, Ontario, Cece brings both prep and national team experience with her when she steps between the pipes for the Badgers. Cece plays club hockey with the Oakville Hornets of the Provincial Women's Hockey League, capturing the league championship last season. She went 20-1-2 in 24 starts, earned seven shutouts and had a 1.28 goals-against average in regular season play. Cece also suited up for 90 minutes of the 2015 Detroit 2 Nations College Prep series this October, registering a shutout against the Anaheim Lady Ducks.

Cece attended the Hockey Canada Top 44 camp with the Under-18 Team this past summer, and won bronze with Ontario Blue at the U-18 National Championships, earning Player of the Game nods in the team's game against Atlantic. In addition, Cece attended  the 2015 Team Canada Summer Strength and Conditioning camp.

Personal: Parents are Carlo and Christine Cece… has a sister, Monique, and two brothers, Mark and Scott… catches left… attends Holy Trinity Secondary Catholic School, where she also plays soccer and field hockey… two-time varsity field hockey MVP… role model is Canadian goaltender Shannon Szabados… started playing hockey when she was four.

Johnson on Cece: "She had the chance to go to national camp with Hockey Canada this past summer. I think with all goaltenders it is a great experience because you find out your strengths and weaknesses. Obviously she has a lot of strength in her game and she has been a big part of the team up in Canada. We look forward to bringing her in and giving her a chance to start her college career and hopefully she will be able battle for playing time next year."

Alexis MauermannHailing from Janesville, Wisconsin, Mauermann attends Shattuck St. Mary's, where she took the team to back-to-back national championships in 2013 and 2014, adding a second-place finish last season. Through 26 games this season, she has already accumulated 13 goals and seven assists.

Mauermann participated in four USA Hockey player development camps from 2011-2014, and was a 2014 Women's National Festival Invitee. She notched a goal and an assist as a member of the Team USA under-18 squad in its three-game series  with Canada the same year. Most recently, Mauermann was selected to the U.S. U-18 team that won gold at the 2015 IIHF U-18 World Championships.

Personal: Parents are John and Sarah Mauermann… has one sister, Emily, and one brother, Ross… her brother won the 2015 National Championship with the Providence College men's hockey team… father, John, is the head coach of the Janesville boy's co-op high school team … attends Shattuck St. Mary's, where she is on the school's high honor roll … enjoys wake-boarding and mountain biking… started playing hockey at age five.

Johnson on Mauermann: "She comes from a hockey family. Alexis grew up in Wisconsin, played a lot of hockey in Janesville and her dad has coached many different teams in that area. She decided to attend Shattuck St. Mary's to elevate her game and had an opportunity to be a part of the U.S. under-18 team that won gold in Buffalo at the world championships earlier this year. I think not only what she does on the ice but she is a great student, a great kid from a fantastic family and has a great leadership skills. We are certainly excited for her to be a part of our program and it is great to have another Wisconsin player on our roster."

Presley NorbyA Minnetonka, Minnesota native, Norby has an impressive resume of hockey experience with her high school team as well as her international experience. The forward currently plays for Minnetonka High School and serves as the team captain. Norby was named the 2013 All-Conference team captain after the team captured the 2012-13 Minnesota State Championship, and were state runner-ups last season. Norby had led the program's offense, scoring 14 goals and 16 assists for 30 points in the 2013-14 season, adding an impressive 21 goals and 15 assists in 2014-15.

Norby attended Team USA Player Development Camp in 2013 and 2014, as well as the Women's National Festival in 2014 and 2015. She played on the U.S. under-18 squad in its series with Canada in 2014 and 2015, captaining the 2015 squad. Norby scored a goal and an assist at the 2015 IIHF U-18 World Championships, helping Team USA win the gold medal. Most notably, Norby suited up for the U.S. at the 2015 Four Nations Cup, helping the team win gold. At 17 years old, she was the youngest player on the squad.

Personal: Parents are PJ and Amy Norby... shoots right… three-year academic honor roll… also competes in track and field and cross country… favorite pro athlete is Zach Parise… started playing hockey at seven.

Johnson on Norby: "When kids like Presley get an opportunity to play on the national team at the Four Nations Cup, it helps them grow as players as they get to witness how the best players in the world train and conduct their daily business. For her to be a part of the gold medal team at the Four Nations Cup earlier this month, it helps with her confidence, it helps with her overall view of how the game should be played. As people watch her play, they will notice she's energetic, she's aggressive on the ice and she has a great skill set. Obviously other people have taken notice to it and it will be fun to watch her grow here."

Abby RoqueA forward from Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, Roque brings years of Team USA experience to the ice for UW, in addition to her four seasons with the Sault Area High School boys' team. Roque was the first girl on the team, and continues to be the only girl in the league. Despite this, she has averaged more than a point per game. The Blue Devils won the 2015 Regional Championship, and finished as state runner-ups in 2013 and 2014. Last season, Roque was awarded the team's Perseverance Award.

She has been a four-time National Player Development Camp attendee, and earned an invite to the 2014 Women's National Festival. Roque participated in the U-18 series against Canada in 2014. She also helped the U18's to silver at the 2014 IIHF Women's World Championships, where she notched a goal and two assists during the tournament. At this past year's IIHF Under-18 World Championships, Roque picked up a pair of assists to help Team USA win gold.

Personal: Parents are Julia and Jim Roque… father, Jim, is a scout for the Arizona Coyotes and spent nine years as a head coach of the Lake Superior State men's hockey team … has a 19-year old sister, Emma… also competes in soccer and golf… maintains a 4.0 GPA and was named the English/Language Arts Student of the Year… started playing hockey when she was four.

Johnson on Roque: "She was one of the key cogs to the U.S. under-18 gold medal team at Worlds earlier this year. Having a dad that coached a lot of years at the collegiate level and that's now a scout in the NHL, she has a great understanding about how the game should be played. She also has a good hockey sense, a solid skill set and I think she will be a very good college hockey player here at Wisconsin."

Maddie RoweA native of River Falls, Wisconsin, Rowe is a 5-11 defenseman currently playing for River Falls High School. A two-time team captain, Rowe tallied 60 or more points in both her sophomore and junior seasons, leading the team in goals, assists, and points to earn first-team all-conference nods both years as well. During the 2013-14 season, the Fusion went 19-8-1 to win the sectional championships. Rowe received the WIAA Sportsmanship Award, and earned first team all-state and state tournament second team accolades. Last year, Rowe was named the Big Rivers Conference Player of the Year after leading her team to the conference championship and sectional runner-ups. In addition, she also plays with the U19 Minnesota Blades, who won the 2015 Wisconsin NIT Championship.

She has skated at three USA Hockey National Player Development camps (2012, 2013, and 2014), making the All Star Team in 2014. Rowe also participated in the 2015 USA Hockey U-18 Top 66 Camp.

Personal: Parents are Tim Rowe and Cindy and Erik Bergmanis… has two brothers, Robbie and Jake, and three sisters, Lindsey, Jenna, and Jenna… shoots right… barrel races horses… started playing hockey at age seven.

Johnson on Rowe: "As the in-state programs continue to develop, it's exciting to have another young player come in and get a chance to play for us here at UW. Being from the northwest part of the state, Maddie has played more hockey in Minnesota growing up as she had the chance to play with some teams in Minneapolis. The first thing that people notice about her is her height, as she is very tall. She also barrel races horses, and that is an aggressive sport. I think as time goes on, Maddie will develop into a nice college hockey player."

Mekenzie SteffenSteffen, a defenseman from Centerville, Minnesota, has shined at both the prep and international levels. A member of the all-conference team her first three years, she led the Hill Murray High School team to back-to-back Minnesota State Championships in 2014 and 2015, making the all-state team both years. Last season, Steffen led all defensemen in scoring, notching 28 points in 26 games, including a goal and two assists during the state tournament.

Steffen was named to the American Family Insurance All-USA Girls Hockey Second Team during the 2014-15 season. She attended the 2012, 2013, and 2014 USA Hockey Player Development camps, and played on the 2014 U18 Team USA in a three games series against Canada. Most recently, she won a gold medal with Team USA at the 2015 Under-18 IIHF Women's World Championships.

Personal: Parents are Todd and Tracy Steffen… has a 20-year old brother Ben… shoots right… role model is Winny Brodt-Brown… started playing hockey when she was four.­­

Johnson on Steffen: "She has international experience playing for the U.S. She is very good friends with Presley and current Badger Sophia Shaver. These kids have played a lot of hockey together. MeKenzie has had the chance to play with Team USA with a few of our other incoming freshmen. When you have those types of experiences, you find out what your strengths and weaknesses are. For her to win a gold medal and be a part of the group, it is a great confidence builder. She has a great skill set and it will be fun to watch her develop during her four-year career in Madison."