Change is in the air — autumn leaves are beginning to fall — and that means hockey season has arrived. For some players, the new season brings a change of scenery and a chance to make an impact for new teams. Here are six transfers to watch in the 2025-26 NC women’s hockey season.
PRESEASON: 5 questions heading into the 2025-26 women’s hockey season
1. Sarah Paul, F — Minnesota (from Princeton)
Minnesota gets a huge boost to its offense this season with the addition of Sarah Paul. The senior from West Kelowna, B.C., is an elite goal scorer coming off a career season at Princeton where she led the nation in goals per game (0.90) and power play goals (10). Paul posted a career-high 36 points on 28 goals and 8 assists.
Princeton (1), Quinnipiac (1) | 6:28, 2nd period
Bobcats struggle to control Sarah Paul tying the game up in the 2nd! #GoTigs
📺ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/IK9IiuikzB
— Princeton Women’s Ice Hockey (@PWIH) January 11, 2025
Paul is a shot-first player who boasts a powerful, accurate shot, and she is a threat to score from anywhere on the ice, especially from the high slot. She joins a potent Gophers offense, and she will likely be a main weapon on the Minnesota power play this season. Don’t be shocked if you see her name near the top of the goal leaders come February.
2. Jamie Nelson, F — Minnesota (from Minnesota State)
The second of three big transfers for Minnesota, Nelson brings a complete 200-foot game and elite playmaking to a high-powered Gopher forward core. She had 102 points in 124 games at Minnesota State, including three straight 25+ point seasons, and she’s coming off a career-high in assists (22). But don’t be fooled, she still knows when to pull up and shoot it herself.
Jamie Nelson gets the Mavericks on the board! #hornsup pic.twitter.com/3eUHfu1yY6
— Minnesota State Women’s Hockey (@MinnStWHockey) March 2, 2025
Sharing the ice with prolific scorers in Murphy and Paul, Nelson could see a significant uptick in scoring in her graduate season.
3. Julia Pellerin, F — UConn (from Boston College)
UConn failed to reach the NCAA tournament last season, in large part due to its scoring troubles — the Huskies scored just 80 goals last year with a .075 shooting percentage. The addition of Julia Pellerin adds much-needed goal scoring help to the lineup. Pellerin comes over from Hockey East foe Boston College, where she finished second on the Eagles in points (34) and led the conference in goals (20).
That’s ✌️ for Julia!!! pic.twitter.com/iuw2VvSUro
— Boston College Women’s Hockey (@BC_WHockey) November 2, 2024
The junior from Windham, N.H., will bring a blend of speed, skill and creativity to help jump start the Huskies’ offense as they look to get back to the NCAA tournament.
4. Kaia Malachino, F — Ohio State (from Colgate)
Malachino took a big step in her sophomore season at Colgate, tying for second on the team in goals (19) and finishing fourth in points (33). Now, the junior from Brighton, Mich., comes to an Ohio State team looking to fill some roster holes after losing six key players in the PWHL draft. Malachino has a nose for the net and a deadly shot in tight, and she always seems to be in the right place for her teammates to find her in the low slot.
Kaia Malachino with her 8️⃣th of the season!
Raiders lead 6-1! pic.twitter.com/09xw1c44sF
— Colgate Women’s Hockey (@ColgateWIH) October 25, 2024
Malachino joins a loaded Ohio State roster, and she should be a main scoring threat for the Buckeyes as they try to make another national championship run. She’ll be fun to watch as she makes the move over to the WCHA.
5. Molly Jordan, D — Minnesota (from Boston College)
The third major transfer joining Minnesota, Molly Jordan brings excellent vision and skill to an already loaded Gophers blue line. Jordan comes over from Boston College, where she tallied 41 points in 69 games over two seasons. The rising junior from Berlin, Conn., is a talented skater and shooter, and she’s not afraid to pinch from the blue line when she sees a scoring chance.
Molly give BC an Early 2-0 lead!! pic.twitter.com/rQaKbPQvKS
— Boston College Women’s Hockey (@BC_WHockey) January 21, 2025
Jordan should be a key dual-threat piece for the Gophers to contend with WCHA powerhouses Wisconsin and Ohio State.
6. Megan McKay, D — Clarkson (from Mercyhurst)
McKay is coming off a career year at Mercyhurst, where she finished second among AHA defensemen in assists (18). McKay is a shot-blocking machine, tallying 159 blocked shots in three seasons with the Lakers. Her toughness and athleticism are the main selling points, but her hard shot adds an offensive element to her strong two-way game.
LAKER GOALLLLL by Megan Mckay 🔥🔥🔥
P2
MU: 1
LW: 1 pic.twitter.com/y2vW6roEBh— Mercyhurst Women’s Hockey (@HurstWHockey) November 1, 2024
McKay brings size and strength to the Golden Knights’ blue line, and she is sure to be an instant impact with her new squad.
