(WIAC) – MADISON, Wis.–The Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) has announced its preview and predictions for the 2027 women’s ice hockey season. The predictions were voted on by the conference’s head coaches and sports information directors.
University of Wisconsin-River Falls, winner of six straight regular-season championships and seven consecutive O’Brien Cup trophies, is predicted to claim the regular-season crown. The Falcons are the three-time defending NCAA Division III champions and enter the 2026-27 campaign as the No. 1-ranked team in the USCHO.com Division III Preseason Poll.
UW-Eau Claire is ranked No. 14 in the USCHO.com poll and is pegged for second in the WIAC predictions.
The remaining order in the conference predictions feature: UW-Stevens Point (third); UW-Superior (fourth); and Beloit College (Wis.) (fifth).
WIAC teams will begin their non-conference schedules on Oct. 30, while the conference slate will start on Nov. 20. The top-four teams in the conference standings will qualify for the WIAC Tournament/O’Brien Cup (presented by Culver’s) with all games hosted by the higher-seeded team. Semifinal series will take place Feb. 26-27, while the championship game is March 6.
2026-27 Preseason Predictions – Voted on by WIAC Head Coaches and Sports Information Directors
2025-26 Record
- UW-River Falls (30-1 overall, 11-1 WIAC/33 pts.)
- UW-Eau Claire (20-8, 10-2/30 pts.)
- UW-Stevens Point (11-16, 5-7/14 pts.)
- UW-Superior (4-22-1, 4-8/13 pts.)
- Beloit College (2-23, 0-12/0 pts.)
Team Capsules
Beloit College (Wis.)
Head Coach: Kelly Millins; 2nd season at BEL; 2-23
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 18/6
Goalies Returning/Lost: 1/1
Returning All-WIAC: Kennedy Gruhlke, Sr., F (2026-Honorable)
Notable Returning Players: Addison Gruhlke, So., F; Natalie Gurr, Jr., F; Makenzee Kostiuk, So., F; Kylie Schryer, Jr., F
UW-Eau Claire
Head Coach: Jarrad Vroman; 2nd season at UWEC; 20-8
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 24/7
Goalies Returning/Lost: 4/0
Returning All-WIAC: Kambelle Freije, So., G (2026-First); Adrienne Hansen, Jr., F (2026-Honorable); Maddie Hutler, Sr., F (2026-First); Kenzie Keller, Sr., F (2026-Honorable); Madisyn Krumholz, Sr., F (2025-First, 2026-First); Ashley Wagenbach, Jr., D (2026-First); Kylie Wiltse, Sr., D (2026-First)
Notable Returning Players: Lauren Ballinger, Jr., F; Nora Carstensen, So., F; Jordan Hancock, Jr., F; Jana Lesch, Jr., F
UW-River Falls
Head Coach: Joe Cranston; 28th season at UWRF; 548-161-48
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 16/9
Goalies Returning/Lost: 2/2
Returning All-WIAC: Kylie Jones, Jr., F (2025-Honorable/Newcomer of the Year); Sophia Hess, So., F (2026-First); Madison Kadrlik, Sr., F (2025-First, 2026-Honorable); Alexa Niccum, Jr., F (2026-First); Brooklyn Riley, So., D (2026-Honorable)
Notable Returning Players: Kennedi Bielenberg-Howarth, Sr., D; Makenna Kadrlik, Sr., F/D; Gracyn Knowles, So., F; Cahlilah Lindquist, Sr., D
UW-Stevens Point
Head Coach: Ann Ninnemann; 21st season at UWSP; 264-219-50
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 20/6
Goalies Returning/Lost: 3/0
Returning All-WIAC: Emily Griege, Sr., G (2025-First, 2026-Honorable); Molly Pohlkamp, Jr., F (2025-Honorable, 2026-First); Alyssa Yokom, Sr., D (2026-First)
Notable Returning Players: Anne Beck, Sr., G; Riley Novak, Sr., F; Amanda Pouchnik, Sr., D; Dani Weiland, So., F
UW-Superior
Head Coach: Bre Simon; 3rd season at UWS; 16-36-3
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 14/9
Goalies Returning/Lost: 1/2
Returning All-WIAC: Kendal Gustavsson, So., F (2026-Honorable)
Notable Returning Players: Addison Fee, So., F; Veda Roeske, Sr., D
Comments