Apr. 18, 2008
Women’s Ice Hockey

BEMIDJI, Minn. - Bemidji State University women’s hockey coach Steve Sertich announced today the addition of four student-athletes for the 2008-09 season. Of the four new players, three have signed National Letters of Intent and one has signed a letter of admission.

The three players who signed NLI’s are forward Kaylee Keys, goaltender Alana McElhinney and forward Lauren Williams, while defenseman Brittany DeBoer has signed a letter of admission to BSU.

“On paper, it looks like we’re bringing in players that can add some skill to our program,” coach Sertich said. “We feel like we have added players who have a good work ethic.

“We currently have good kids, but we were just missing some skill players, which is apparent when looking at our power-play percentage and the goals that we scored last year. We’re hoping that this new class can add some skill and speed to our program as we build toward the future.”

The four newest additions are joining Emily Erickson, Montana Vichorek and Marlee Wheelhouse as the newest additions to Bemidji State. Vichorek and Wheelhouse signed their NLI’s during the early signing period on Nov. 16 and Erickson inked with the Beavers on the first day of the late signing period, April 9.

• Brittany DeBoer (D, 5’11”, Spring Lake Park, Minn./Spring Lake Park HS)

Played in the North Suburban Conference at Spring Lake Park High School...Had a winning record (39-38-3) over last three years...All-Conference member...Earned her team’s own Hobey Baker Award...All-Conference Honorable Mention in softball...Lettered all four years in hockey...Lettered three years in both softball and tennis...Member of the National Honor Society and the honor roll...Earned an academic letter and was a member of the academic all-conference team...Brother Addison plays hockey at Colorado College...Cousin Sandy Nelson plays hockey at Ohio State...Uncle Heath was drafted by the St. Louis Blues...High school coach was Tom Kullenkamp.

Coach Sertich on DeBoer:
“Brittany comes from a good hockey family. She is a very good athlete and played a number of sports at Spring Lake Park. She is a tall, rangy defenseman who is a really good defensive-type defenseman. Brittany has played well in high school and she is another one that, with her family background, knows what it’s going to take to play at this level.”

• Kaylee Keys (F, 5’4”, St. Paul, Minn./Cretin-Derham Hall HS)

Played in the Suburban East Conference for Cretin-Derham Hall High School...Scored 24 goals and had 16 assists in 25 games senior year...Was a captain..Named All-State Honorable Mention by the Associated Press and the St. Paul Pioneer Press three times...All-Conference all four years...Raiders made the state tournament freshman year, placed third senior year...Section champs freshman and senior years...Section semifinalists sophomore and junior years...Career record was 74-33-8...Recorded 80 goals, 68 assists and 148 points during high school career...Led the team in scoring final three years...Played for the Mission Ice Cats over the past two summers...Also went to USA Hockey’s National Development Camp in 2006 and ‘07...Grandfather George played hockey for the University of Minnesota...Father Jeff was an All-American hockey player for the University of St. Thomas...Sister Erin played hockey for Ohio State...High school coaches were Steve Williams and Jeff Keys.

Coach Sertich on Keys:
“Kaylee is another player that comes from a great hockey family. We’re hoping that she will bring some of the same attributes that her sister had to Ohio State’s program. Kaylee is a center ice player and great on faceoffs. She has a real high hockey IQ, great speed, and she really competes. I think she will bring a good work ethic to our program. She knows what it takes to play at the D-I level.

• Alana McElhinney (G, 5’8”, Calgary, Alberta, Canada/Alberta Major Midget AAA)

Played three years in the Alberta Major Midget AAA Female Hockey League (AMMFHL)...In 2007, played for U-18 Team Alberta at Nationals...Was a member of the 2007 Hokkeido-Alberta Sport Exchange, traveling to Japan...Played for the Rocky Mountain Storm AAA 1989 team in summer 2006...Played in the Czech Challenge Cup in Prague during summer 2006...Played for the Southern Alberta 1990 AAA Selects team during summer 2005, which won the silver medal at the Lady Flames Summer Splash Tournament in Boston...Also participated in three years of cross country, two years of badminton and one year of basketball...Field hockey team won the Division I City Championship junior year...Member of the school’s swim team senior year...Was on the honor roll three years...Had the social studies and English awards for the highest average...Has been accepted to BSU’s Honor Society...Father Bob played hockey at the University of Guelph...Brother Curtis played four years of hockey at Colorado College and currently is a member of the National Hockey League’s Calgary Flames...High school coaches were Becky McGee and Terry Larson.

Coach Sertich on McElhinney:
“Alana is a great athlete and another top student-athlete. She comes from an excellent goalie family. She has great instincts and is very quick. I really believe that she’s going to become a terrific goalie here. She is going to challenge for the top spot next season and provide quality depth at the goaltending position.”

• Lauren Williams (F, 5’2”, Eagan, Minn./Eagan HS)

Played in the Lake Conference for Eagan High School freshman and sophomore years...Led team in scoring in 2005-06... Lettered in hockey and track and field in high school...Was named Rookie of the Year...Lake Conference Honorable Mention twice and was an All-State Honorable Mention...Also played for the Minnesota Thoroughbreds U-19 team...Led team in goals scored in 2007-08...Attended USA Hockey’s National Development Camp in 2006...Went to Hockey Night in Boston in 2006...Father Brian played hockey for the University of North Dakota...Was a member of Team USA in 1986 and ‘87...Played for the Montreal Canadians in 1987 and played in Europe following his stint in the NHL...Sister Alex is currently playing hockey for North Dakota...Member of the honor roll and was named student of the month...Thoroughbred coaches were Steve Weber, Marci Bydlon and Ivan Weiss.

Coach Sertich on Williams:
“Lauren Williams is another one of those that comes from a good hockey family. She is another quick, competitive small forward who was the leading scorer on her Thoroughbreds team this year. I think she’s going to bring some sorely needed offense to us. She’s another real intense, competitive player.”

--bsu--