HOCKEY PREVIEW 2006-07: Putting on the Sweater

The Harvard women’s hockey team has more to look forward to than the return of its Olympians. The addition of six highly regarded rookies is going to translate into offensive firepower and gritty defense for the ’06-’07 season.

In their impressive pre-collegiate careers, these standout freshmen have been scoring goals, stopping goals, and doing pretty much everything else between the blue lines.

They’ve played on club teams and national teams, and on October 28 they will begin playing for Harvard’s team.

CHRISTINA KESSLER

Christina Kessler is the biggest star in this year’s recruiting class. A native of Oakville, Ont., Kessler was honored with a selection to the Canadian Under-22 National team this past year.

“Obviously, [Kessler] is going to be fantastic for us,” Harvard coach Kathy Stone says. “She could be the best goalie Harvard has ever seen.”

She may be highly regarded, but it is going to be a while before this young talent gets in on the action.

Kessler recently suffered a tear in her MCL and her meniscus that is going to keep her on the sidelines until at least November.

“We are going to do exactly what the doctors say and what the trainers tell us to do,” Stone says. “Once she is ready to go she will play as much as she can.”

“I’m looking forward to stepping on the ice with the girls,” Kessler says. “I hope to be back soon.”

CORI BASSETT

With a powerful shot and impressive vision on the ice, Cori Bassett is going to be a strong addition to an already prolific Harvard offense that averaged 2.6 goals a game last year and graduated just one of its top five scorers.

“I have a good sense of the game, with reading plays and trying to anticipate what will happen,” Bassett says.

“She has a tremendous shot,” Stone says. “She works hard, she really gets the game.”

Her future in a Harvard uniform may be bright, but for now the rookie is just excited to be here.

“[Coming to Harvard] was one of those opportunities that you aren’t handed everyday,” Bassett says. “I would have been crazy to not take it.”

KATHRYN FARNI

At 5’10”, Kathryn Farni is one of the tallest players on the team and yet height is not this Minnesotan’s only asset.

As a two-time All-State selection in high school, Farni proved that she can play.

She graduated from Hopkins High School with the school record in career goals—and she’s a defender.

Harvard is going to benefit from her services on both ends of the rink.

“I hope to bring some help in the defensive end,” Farni says, “and maybe help out in the offensive zone as well.”

“She is very, very smart,” Stone says. “Once she settles down and relaxes a little more...she knows exactly what to do. She is a good defenseman.”

JEN BRAWN

One Canadian forward from Surrey, B.C. is the wild card of the bunch. Jen Brawn is lightning fast and has striking stick skills.

“I think she has been a huge surprise so far and hopefully continues,” Stone says. “She has done everything we asked her to do and she has come in better than we thought she was.”

“I’ve wanted to go to Harvard since I was little,” Brawn says. “I’m really looking forward to playing on a team with such a high level of talent.”

As the captain of Southridge School’s team last year, Brawn had 12 goals and 18 assists.

RANDI GRIFFIN and AMY UBER

Randi Griffin, a native of Apex, N.C., is a proven talent with a knack for goal- scoring. Last year she led all scorers at the U-19 national tournament.

But college hockey is a bit different.

“The biggest challenge has been keeping up not physically, but mentally,” Griffin says. “Decisions have to be made at top speed.”

Although being a hockey player at Harvard may take some getting used to, Griffin knows how lucky she is to have the opportunity.

“I go to class with geniuses and play hockey with Olympians.” she adds. “Name one other place where you can do that.”

Amy Uber, also a forward, comes to Harvard from the North American Hockey Academy. Students at the NAHA live in Stowe, Vt. where they eat, sleep, and breathe hockey for five months out of the year.

“Living away from home and learning to manage my time were things that definitely made the transition to Harvard smooth,” the Michigan native says.

Her work ethic and gutsy determination made another transition—that of becoming a collegiate hockey player, easier. Her effort has not gone unnoticed by her coaches.

At the same time, adjusting to a new level of hockey is a process that will some time.

“[Griffin and Uber] work really hard, [and] they are physically fit,” Stone says. “With the puck, they know what to do. Off the puck, that transition is going to take a little bit longer. But they will be fine. They are going to be good players.”