BOSTON - Twelve former Atlantic Hockey America (AHA) players have earned spots on Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) opening night rosters, with the regular season beginning on Friday.

Five of seven AHA programs have at least one former player on a roster to begin the 2025-26 campaign. Syracuse leads the conference with four players, and joins Mercyhurst, Penn State and Robert Morris as the AHA teams with multiple players on active PWHL rosters.

Of the 12 players, nine former AHA student-athletes were drafted in a PWHL Entry Draft. Blueliner Mae Batherson (Syracuse) and goaltender Nicole Hensley (Lindenwood) won the 2025 Walter Cup (PWHL Championship) last season as members of the Minnesota Frost.  

191 former Division I players have made opening night rosters. Each PWHL team can roster no more than 23 players, plus up to three additional players signed to reserve player contracts. Additionally, rosters may also carry players on long-term injured reserve.

OPENING NIGHT PWHL PLAYERS BY PROGRAM
Lindenwood: Nicole Hensley, G (Minnesota Frost)

Mercyhurst: Samantha Isbell, D (Ottawa Charge) | Vanessa Upson, F | (Minnesota Frost) | Alexa Vasko, F (Ottawa Charge)

Penn State: Brianna Brooks, F (Vancouver Goldeneyes) | Lyndie Lobdell, D (Seattle Torrent)

Robert Morris: Raygan Kirk, G (Toronto Sceptres) | Marah Wagner, F (Seattle Torrent)

Syracuse: Mae Batherson, D (Minnesota Frost) | Shiann Darkangelo, F (Ottawa Charge) | Jessica Digirolamo, D (Montréal Victoire) | Allie Munroe, D (Toronto Sceptres)

ABOUT ATLANTIC HOCKEY AMERICA
Atlantic Hockey America (AHA) is in its second season following the merger between the Atlantic Hockey Association and College Hockey America. The conference fields 10 Division I men's teams and seven women's teams. For more information, visit atlantichockeyamerica.com.

Connect with AHA on X (@Atlantic_Hockey), Instagram (@atlantichockeyamerica) and Facebook (Atlantic Hockey America).

Watch AHA home games on FloHockey this season.