Moon Township, Pa. – For the upcoming 2023-24 season, head coach
Logan Bittle and his staff had to basically start from scratch, adding 19 players to their squad in the off-season.
In building their roster over the past year, they traveled all across the states and into Canada to bring in veterans and youth.
Of those 19 players, 10 are transfers and nine are freshmen just starting out their collegiate careers.
It was important for Bittle to not only bring in talent, but also good people to the program.
Below, each player explains their reasons for transferring to RMU and/or why they want to begin their collegiate career as a Colonial.
All 19 have different reasons, but there is a common theme that they want to win…
TRANSFERS
Courtney Hall – "I chose RMU for a fresh start and to help create a winning culture. The staff was so welcoming and had a genuine interest in myself as a player and as a person. I'm excited to grow with this program and make this first year back successful."
Jersey Phillips – "I chose RMU because of the reputation they had as a program prior to the shutdown, and then the measures the community took into bringing the program back. It shows how much we meant, and still mean to the community and I look forward to being a part of this historic team."
Shailynn Snow – "I chose RMU to be part of the rebuild and help shape the program into what it will become. I believe we have the potential to win a championship this year."
Chloé Puddifant – "There was no better choice than RMU for my academic, athletic and personal goals. Although I knew I was choosing a place that I would only be able to play at for one year, I knew I would be choosing a place I could call home for the rest of my life. I'm excited to join a united group, from the coaching and supporting staff to my teammates to recreate history."
Emma Gorski – "I chose RMU because it presented me with opportunities both on and off the ice. I knew the team would be having so many new faces but shortly after I discovered that we all had the same goal in mind. It was the coach's passion and belief in the program and girls who were coming in that really sealed the deal. I was excited and knew immediately that I wanted to step up to the challenge and show people how successful we can be, even as a group of misfits."
Mya Neugent – "I chose RMU because of a new opportunity, great schooling which allows me to focus on my specific major and I just fell in love with the campus, city and the rink. I'm beyond excited for this upcoming season."
Chace Sperling – "I chose to come back to play for the Colonials because I have a lot of unfinished business. From breaking my leg freshman year and then the programs being discontinued, there are a lot of things to prove to not only myself and my team but the whole RMU community. With everyone that has happened to me the past three years of college, I want to prove that I can play at a high level and compete with anyone in sight. I also want to help rebuild RMU and prove why RMU hockey is something everyone should dream of. I have high standards for myself and the team going into this season and one of those is being the best team in the CHA, and winning a championship. We can prove who we are and make it happen."
Madison Primeau – "I'm a big believer in communication between coaches and players. Logan, Liam and Jordan have all exceeded my expectations in this regard already. I look forward to getting things started on campus and officially becoming a Colonial."
Morgan Giannone – "I transferred to RMU because I wanted to be part of something bigger than myself and play for a team and coaching staff that is as dedicated to the game as I am."
Alaina Giampietro – "I came to RMU because of how involved they are with their community. The family aspect of things is very important to me and RMU has just that. To go along with that, I know the program wasn't here last year but that's what made it more special. I wanted to be a part of something that can shock the world, and I believe we can do just that. We have the coaches, staff and players to do so much damage and that excites me."
FRESHMEN
Kaitlyn Schooley – "I chose RMU because of the strong team culture and history of success within the women's hockey program. RMU also has a beautiful campus and has the perfect major for me. I am also looking forward to impacting the community and inspiring young female hockey players just like the program did for me when I was growing up."
Brynn Levinson – "I am excited for this upcoming season and to make an impact as a freshman. I like the Pittsburgh area and the big city as well as the hockey facilities near campus. I also love the academics that RMU has to offer and cannot wait to step foot on the campus and on the ice."
Laura Eustace – "I decided to play at RMU because I loved the campus when I toured. Everyone was so polite and welcoming. I believe RMU is going to be a great university to further my education and athletics. I am very excited to be able to be part of bringing back the women's hockey program."
Alyssa Rasmuson – "When I started my search for schools back as a sophomore in high school, RMU came up as a great school with an impressive hockey program. Some other girls from Saskatchewan committed to Robert Morris a couple years ago which peaked my interest to look into the school as an option. I was excited with what I found and am elated to have been given the opportunity to attend RMU and play hockey."
Catriona Crarer – "When I came to visit the school last spring, I loved what I saw. The campus really gave me a small town feel while also having the city of Pittsburgh so close by. With this being our first year back, I am also very excited and honored to be a part of such a special journey that this upcoming season will bring us."
Thalia D'Elia – "I chose RMU to further my education and hockey career for a couple of reasons. First, RMU's academic programs boast an excellent reputation for offering a challenging curriculum that aligns perfectly with my personal and academic growth goals. Also, joining the efforts to rebuild the RMU women's ice hockey program is something that I'm excited about and am honored to take part in."
Lindsey Smolen – "I came to RMU because of the unique position that they had been put in and how I could be a part of a program that is being given a second chance. Also, I was swayed by Coach Bittle and how he believed that having good people is just as important as having good players to have a successful program."
Janelle Evans – "I picked RMU because I was excited about the opportunity to help grow the hockey team back into a successful program. I fell in love with the campus, its size and the family-like atmosphere that made me feel at home."
Liviya Rubin – "I chose RMU because I wanted to take part in the program that had a big impact on me growing up. I grew up playing at the island, going to RMU games with my teammates and being in the little sister program. I got to experience firsthand the impact RMU has on the community and I'm so excited to be a piece of bringing the program back."
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