TROY, N.Y. - Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) head women's hockey head coach Bryan Vines has announced that five newcomers, all freshmen, will join the Engineers for the 2021-22 season, including three forwards, a defender and a goalie. Four are from the United States and the other hails from Canada.

"We are thrilled to officially welcome this group into the RPI Hockey Family," said Vines. "They will be great additions to our team on the ice and, most importantly, high character individuals in our locker room and community. They join a young team eager to get back together and start our 2021-22 season."

Academically, the student-athletes have a variety of majors, including biology, biomedical engineering, civil engineering, computer and systems engineering, and mechanical engineering.
 
Below is an alphabetical list of Rensselaer's newcomers:

Meg Hildner
Forward (Shoots Left)
Jersey #22
5-5 / Austin, Texas / Dallas Stars Elite
Mechanical Engineering

• Four years with Dallas Stars Elite ... Team won Rocky Mountain district championship each season ... 2019 High School National Champion with Team Texas ... Played soccer in high school ... Academic All-State ... Team played in state finals.

Why RPI? "I chose RPI because of its exceptional engineering program and its academics across the board. Getting to go to a school that has a competitive nature in both its education and hockey is something that I am looking forward to. I can't wait to experience all the campus has to offer and am excited to be an Engineer."

Mika Jahnke
Forward (Shoots Right)
Jersey #8
5-2 / Allen, Texas / Dallas Stars Elite
Computer and Systems Engineering

• Six years with Dallas Stars Elite ... Ten goals and two assists in 20 games in 2020-21 ... First quartile in graduating class ... Sister of Riena Jahnke '24, who also plays hockey for Engineers.

Why RPI? "It's a great school to attend for a competitive athletic and academic environment."


Ashlyn Lewis
Goalie (Catches Left)
Jersey #30
5-9 / Breckenridge, Colorado / North American Hockey Academy
Civil Engineering

• Had 1.53 goals against average and .959 save percentage in 2020-21 ... Had 1.62 goals against average and .925 save percentage in 2019-20 ... Played in JWHL All-Star Game ... All-League Second Team ... Team won JWHL Playoff Championship ... Played with Rocky Mountain Rough Riders ... Most Valuable Player to team that won District Championship and advanced to National Tournament for first time in program history ... Multiple National Camp invitations.

Why RPI? "I chose RPI because once I stepped on campus for the first time I knew it was the place for me athletically and academically. I also really like the team environment and it is a place where I will be pushed to be my best everyday."

Audrey McCutcheon
Forward (Shoots Left)
Jersey #12
5-4 / St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec / Stanstead College
Biology

• Had 25 goals and 23 assists in 58 games in 2019-20 ... Scored 28 goals with 20 assists in 2018-19 ... Bursary Award from Foundation "Athlete Excellence du Quebec" for best athletes in Quebec ... Played on Team Quebec U-18 Team at 2020 Canadian National Championship ... Finished third.

Why RPI? "Above everything I chose RPI because I fell in the love with the place and the people. Athletically, I chose RPI for a particular reason: I want to help RPI women's hockey to climb the rankings and win an NCAA Championship in my four years."


Michelle Nutescu
Defense (Shoots Left)
Jersey #2
5-7 / Northfield, Illinois / Shattuck-St. Mary's School
Biomedical Engineering

• Four years at Shattuck-St. Mary's ... Three assists in five games in 2021 National Tournament ... Had 27 points in 29 games in 2018-19 ... Team won 2021 State Championship ... JWHL Champions in 2020 and NIT Champions in 2019 ... Third in 2018 National Tournament ... High Honor Roll ... Marthina Drivebred prize (highest achievement in Spanish) ... Graduated with distinction in BioScience ... School proctor.

Why RPI? "I chose RPI because of the prestigious engineering program combined with the opportunity to play on a D1 hockey team. I wanted to be alongside student-athletes with similar goals and values. I chose to be a part of a program that combines cutting edge science with high level athletics that will challenge me to become a student-athlete who can change the world."

Rensselaer's 2021-22 season begins with an exhibition game against Université du Québec à Montréal on Sunday, September 19. The regular season starts five days later when RPI travels to Mercyhurst University on September 24 for the first of a two-game set.