Seven WDA players to watch this season on the ice

BISMARCK – The puck has dropped on the 2024-25 season. Once again the conference has its share of impactful players. Here are seven WDA players to keep an eye on this campaign.

Century: Avery Matt, F
The senior netted a team-high 38 points a season ago, including 27 goals. Coach Tim Meyer says Avery is always working to get better as a player and a leader. Often the first one to practice and the last to leave the ice she’s dedicated to her team. The captain is expected to be one of the top scorers in the ND League. She entered the season with 79 career points.

Dickinson: KeAna Hendrickson, F
The sophomore has been an offensive contributor for the past two seasons, despite her young age. Coach Lance Knudson believes she is going to have a breakout season. The forward is playing with a lot of confidence buoyed by her previous experience. She is super competitive and enjoys coming to the rink and improving her game. Last season, she tallied 18 points for the squad.

Jamestown: Ellie Krueger, F/D
The senior enters her fifth year of varsity play and is one of the most experience players in the ND League. Coach Andy Fitzgerald says her experience and skating ability will help her as she has moved from forward to defense to support a young core of blueliners and goaltenders. She will still be called upon to move up in the play and generate offense. She entered the season with 54 career points.

Legacy-Bismarck High: Ainsley Johnson, F
The junior missed all of last season due to an injury but provided leadership and encouragement from the bench. Coach Nick Johnson says Ainsley possess good hockey sense and reads plays well. She is one of the team’s hardest workers and having her back on the ice will be a boost to the program. The forward notched 23 points as a freshman, which was tied for tops on the squad.

Mandan, McKenzie Yantzer, F
The senior forward is the top returning scorer to the Braves lineup from a season ago and has netted over 60 points in her three season in the program. First-year coach Tony Swearingen says she brings a strong offensive punch with her speed, hockey smarts and selfless play. Her veteran leadership will be counted on as the squad pursues a top half finish in ND League play.

Minot High, Fallon Fagerland, F
The senior has the skating ability to get to open ice and make plays in the offensive zone, but also can control play in the defensive zone and thwart offensive chances. Coach Christopher Stokke says Fallon is a multi-tool player that plays all 200-feet of the ice surface. She can be used in any situation, including special teams. Last season her five goals was third best on the team.

Williston: Emily Fuchs, G
The senior is in her fifth year in goal for the Coyotes. First year coach Cal Nass says her strengths include her positioning and how she tracks pucks. She had a 90 percent save percentage the past two seasons making her one oft the top goaltenders in the state. She allowed two or fewer goals in 13 games a season ago for a team that scored under three goals a game on average. Her leadership and work ethic are a great inspiration to her younger teammates.

Photo: Ellie Krueger, Jamestown