UMD women’s hockey talks secret weapon ahead of season opener

The sixth ranked University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) women’s hockey team opens their program’s 25th season this Friday hosting Long Island University.

The Bulldogs swept the Sharks in New York to open their season last year. Now they have home ice advantage and a secret weapon: newly acquired Long Island transfer, Swedish defender Paula Bergstrom.

“I’m really close friends with Emma Soderberg who was here. She always talked so highly of the Bulldogs. While I was at my old school, and I felt that it was time for a change, she just really, really talked so good about this program,” Bergstrom said.

Soderberg, also a Swedish Olympian, broke UMD women’s hockey’s single season shutout record with 12 in 2022-23, and career shutout record with 23. She also backstopped UMD to back-to-back Frozen Fours (2021, 2022).

Regarding Bergstrom, head coach Maura Crowell added, “she’s mature, she’s older. With so many young, new people on the team it’s nice to have more of those players that have been in big spots.”

A 2022 Swedish Olympian Bergstrom played three seasons for the Sharks, last year tallying 17 points.

Puck drop Friday is 6:01 p.m. at AMSOIL Arena. Game two of their series is Saturday at 3:01 p.m.