Welcome back, Badger fans!

It's the start of a new chapter for the UW women's hockey team as we wrap up the first week of school, workouts and practice.
We're back in business, our hearts and minds filled with excitement as we begin another journey with our eyes on the ultimate prize: a national championship. Our veterans, including our newly-appointed captains Sydney McKibbon, Ann-Renée Desbiens, Sarah Nurse and Jenny Ryan, combined with the fresh new faces of our freshmen, create an unbreakable chemistry that we're eager to bring into competition.

I asked freshman Abby Roque, a former member of the United States Under-18 national team hailing from Sault St. Marie, Michigan, on successfully making it through her first official week at Wisconsin.

"My first official week as a Badger was great," she said. "Campus is awesome and so are all the people here. It makes you feel so lucky to be able to attend such a great university."

You have four years of such an incredible atmosphere, Abby! Soak it up.

In addition to Abby, we have six more baby Badgers: Presley Norby, Alyson Baldwin, Nicole Cece, Maddie Rowe, Mekenzie Steffen and Alexis Mauermann. 

Claudia Kepler, an Ohio State transfer, will also be joining the team as a redshirt junior. With her hometown being Verona, Wisconsin, Claude is happy to be back in her element.

"It feels so great to be closer to home," Claude told me. "The best thing about being a Badger so far is being able to be surrounded by great people. Being with the team is my favorite part of the day."

We're all glad to have you in Cardinal and White too, Claude!

With the first games of the season less than two weeks away, every practice is essential to adjusting to each other, learning the ways in which our freshmen play, and familiarizing ourselves with our linemates once again. It is great to be back together as one big, happy family. We can already sense that it's a special team, and cannot wait to experience what's in store for the season.

Our season kicks off in St. Cloud, Minnesota, with a two-game series against the St. Cloud State Huskies on Sept. 23-24. We can't wait to have our home opener against Ohio State on Oct. 7. There will be more information to come as time ticks closer to gameday! We're all thrilled to see you again at LaBahn Arena and thank you for your constant support!

I would also like to send a special shoutout to our assistant coach, Jackie Crum, who was recently married this summer and also finished an unbelievable race in Sunday's Ironman Wisconsin. I know the girls and I found it incredible to witness! Way to go, Jackie!

Until next time, Badger fans!

On, Wisconsin!

- Baylee