There is going to be a mini Erickson family reunion on next season's Union women's hockey team.
The Dutchwomen recently picked up a commitment for next season from Achiever Academy's Hannah Erickson, the younger sister of Dutchwomen freshman forward Emily Erickson.
The two haven't played together since they helped the North American Hockey Academy win the Junior Women's Hockey League championship during the 2012-2013 season.
"I am very excited to be teammates with my sister again," said the younger Erickson, a 5-foot-5 forward who also considered Colgate, Dartmouth and Mercyhurst. "It’s not often sisters have the chance to play together at the Division I level and it’s nice I get a few extra years with her since we're so close."
The younger Erickson, a high honors student with 3.80 grade point average, had additional reasons for choosing Union.
"When I was out on my visit, something about the campus felt like home," she said. "The nostalgia of the rink and the workout facilities were also huge factors. Union has a long history of successful people that attended and received an education from its school, and I wanted to be part of that."
Achiever Academy girls hockey head coach Chris Peterson said the Dutchwomen are getting one of the "most complete student-athletes" he has coached in a "long time." She was recently named one of the recipients of the 2014 Hobey Baker Character Award, which develops, recognizes and rewards exemplary character and sportsmanship among high school players.
"Hannah’s teammates elected her captain for this season [and] there is no doubt she has been successful in that position," Peterson said. "With a roster dominated with younger players, she has had to wear many hats -- role model, teacher, teammate, student, etc. With only a few short months left in high school, she will leave Achiever Academy with a legacy that will be difficult to duplicate."
Union struggled to generate offense this season, ranking fifth-to-last in the country with 1.53 goals per game. The younger Erickson could help jump start the offense, as she scored 39 points (15 g, 24 a) in 25 games this season.
The speedy 18-year-old could also boost the Dutchwomen's penalty-killing unit, which was next-to-last in the country at 76.5%.
"She was an exceptional penalty killer this season and could possibly fill a similar role at Union sometime during her career," Peterson said.
According to Peterson, the biggest challenge she faces as she makes the jump to Division I hockey will come from the increased level of competition.
"Every Division I player is talented," he said. "Hannah’s biggest adjustment will be skating against the best every practice and game. There are no layups or easy games in college -- it is a grind. [There is] no doubt she will adapt and the coaches at Union will help her."
The younger Erickson thinks she can make an impact on the Dutchwomen.
"I feel that my speed and positive attitude will have a big impact on the Dutchwomen," she said. "My goal is to crack the lineup freshman year and become a regular player, but [I] will accept any role the coaches want me to fill. With my hard work and determination, I hope to improve and increase my role over the next four years."
Union, which is graduating five seniors, has also picked up commitments for next season from Honeybaked Hockey 19U forward Nicole Russell and Nichols (NY) School defenseman Brandy Streeter.
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The Dutchwomen recently picked up a commitment for next season from Achiever Academy's Hannah Erickson, the younger sister of Dutchwomen freshman forward Emily Erickson.
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| Hannah Erickson in action for the Minnesota-based Achiever Academy |
"I am very excited to be teammates with my sister again," said the younger Erickson, a 5-foot-5 forward who also considered Colgate, Dartmouth and Mercyhurst. "It’s not often sisters have the chance to play together at the Division I level and it’s nice I get a few extra years with her since we're so close."
The younger Erickson, a high honors student with 3.80 grade point average, had additional reasons for choosing Union.
"When I was out on my visit, something about the campus felt like home," she said. "The nostalgia of the rink and the workout facilities were also huge factors. Union has a long history of successful people that attended and received an education from its school, and I wanted to be part of that."
Achiever Academy girls hockey head coach Chris Peterson said the Dutchwomen are getting one of the "most complete student-athletes" he has coached in a "long time." She was recently named one of the recipients of the 2014 Hobey Baker Character Award, which develops, recognizes and rewards exemplary character and sportsmanship among high school players.
"Hannah’s teammates elected her captain for this season [and] there is no doubt she has been successful in that position," Peterson said. "With a roster dominated with younger players, she has had to wear many hats -- role model, teacher, teammate, student, etc. With only a few short months left in high school, she will leave Achiever Academy with a legacy that will be difficult to duplicate."
Union struggled to generate offense this season, ranking fifth-to-last in the country with 1.53 goals per game. The younger Erickson could help jump start the offense, as she scored 39 points (15 g, 24 a) in 25 games this season.
The speedy 18-year-old could also boost the Dutchwomen's penalty-killing unit, which was next-to-last in the country at 76.5%.
"She was an exceptional penalty killer this season and could possibly fill a similar role at Union sometime during her career," Peterson said.
According to Peterson, the biggest challenge she faces as she makes the jump to Division I hockey will come from the increased level of competition.
"Every Division I player is talented," he said. "Hannah’s biggest adjustment will be skating against the best every practice and game. There are no layups or easy games in college -- it is a grind. [There is] no doubt she will adapt and the coaches at Union will help her."
The younger Erickson thinks she can make an impact on the Dutchwomen.
"I feel that my speed and positive attitude will have a big impact on the Dutchwomen," she said. "My goal is to crack the lineup freshman year and become a regular player, but [I] will accept any role the coaches want me to fill. With my hard work and determination, I hope to improve and increase my role over the next four years."
Union, which is graduating five seniors, has also picked up commitments for next season from Honeybaked Hockey 19U forward Nicole Russell and Nichols (NY) School defenseman Brandy Streeter.
Follow @UnionHockeyBlog
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