Notebook: Jada Habisch returning to UConn women's hockey

UConn women’s hockey is getting a key player back for a fifth season: On Thursday, the Huskies announced that leading scorer Jada Habisch will use her bonus year of eligibility in Storrs.

A native of Buffalo, Minnesota, Habisch is one of the most prolific goal scorers in program history. Her 48 career tallies ranks sixth all-time while she’s paced UConn in goals during each of the last three seasons.

As a senior, Habisch put up 17 goals and 13 assists while helping the Huskies win their first Hockey East regular season and tournament titles, as well as their first NCAA Tournament appearance. She also earned a First Team All-Hockey East nod.

With Habisch back in the fold, UConn is set to return six of its top eight goal scorers from last year.

Transfer portal departures

Last season, the Huskies had two true seniors: Habisch and Kathryn Stockdale. While Habisch is returning, Stockdale will use her fifth year at in-state rival Quinnipiac.

Stockdale had a breakout campaign with 11 goals and seven assists after she put up just nine goals and four assists in her first three seasons combined. She sent UConn to the Hockey East championship game with an overtime goal against Boston College in the semifinals.

Along with Stockdale, redshirt freshman Brigitte McGuire also put her name in the transfer portal. The Stamford, Connecticut native didn’t play in a single game this past season due to injury.

The Huskies aren’t expected to add anyone through the transfer portal, but they do have five freshmen incoming.

First pitch

On Friday night, the Huskies were ahead before UConn baseball’s win over Villanova. The entire team went onto the field with the two trophies while Ava Rinker threw out the ceremonial first pitch.