WOMEN'S HOCKEY: Three Players Sign with SCSU

SCSU Head Coach Jeff Giesen.

St. Cloud State University women's hockey coach Jeff Giesen has announced the signings of three student-athletes to letters of intent to play for the Huskies. Those three players are Skye Kelly (Brandon, Manitoba/Balmoral Hall), Vanessa Spataro (Stouffville, Ontario/Toronto Aeros), and Ivy Smith (Rice Lake, Wis./H.S.).

Kelly is a 5-7 left-handed shooting defender from Balmoral Hall School in Manitoba. Kelly scored 10 goals and had 14 assists in 28 games last season for Balmoral Hall. She was selected as a JWHL First-Team All-Star in 2011-12.

"Skye is a very skilled defender who skates well and has very good puck skills," said Giesen. "She has a good vision of the ice and is able to distribute the puck as well as jump into the play and become and offensive threat. She has good physical presence and has the potential to be an outstanding college player and we are excited to add her to our team."

Spataro is a 5-5 left-handed shooting forward from Stouffville, Ontario. Spataro has spent the last few seasons playing for the Toronto Jr. Aeros. Her team was the 2012 Regular Season Champions and League Finalists. In 2011 Spataro and the Aeros won the PWHL League Championship.

"Vanessa is a very tough, gritty and quick forward," said Giesen. "She really competes and is strong in tight areas where she is able to get the puck and make plays to her teammates as well as score goals herself. She is a smooth skater with good speed. She is a very mature person and will have an easy time adjusting to the college game."

Smith is a 5-9 right-handed shooting defender from Rice Lake, Wis. Smith was an All-State Honorable Mention at Rice Lake and was named a captain of the team.

"Ivy is a big strong defender that skates well," said Giesen. "She will bring a presence to our defensive corps and is very competitive. She has the potential to keep developing into a top player in the WCHA. She has played boys high school hockey and that has pushed her to be competitive and a heads up player."

Earlier this year the Huskies announced the signings of Hanna Brodt (Roseville Area) and Katie Fitzgerald (Chicago Mission). 

"Overall I think we have added some strong players," said Giesen. "We have good speed and size as well as some solid play makers and a very good goaltender. All five will help us continue to improve in the WCHA."

An NCAA Division I affiliate in women’s hockey, St. Cloud State University competes as a member of the always rugged Western Collegiate Hockey Association. Founded in 1869, St. Cloud State University enrolls over 17,000 students and its main campus is located in the city of St. Cloud, Minn.