The University of Minnesota Duluth women's hockey coaching staff has signed Lauren Niska, an Alexandria, Minn. native to the 2016-17 Bulldog freshman class.
 
Niska becomes the fifth member of next fall's rookie class, which includes Catherine Johnson (Lakeville, Minn.), Jayln Elmes (Brandon, Manitoba), Brooklyn Schugel (New Ulm, Minn.), and Sydney Brodt (Oaks, Minn.).
 
The captain defenseman wrapped up her senior season by guiding Alexandria Area High School to its second-straight Class A Minnesota State High School Hockey Tournament after recording six goals and 13 assists for 19 points in 27 games.  As a junior, Niska led the Cardinals to the tournment with 12 goals and 11 assists in 28 skates.  She followed that achievement up with a selection to the 2015 USA U-18 Player National Development Camp last July that was held in St. Cloud, Minn.  A 2014-15 Central Lakes All-Conference pick, she is also a two-time Central Lakes All-Conference Honorable Mention (2015-16 and 2013-14).  Niska also played for the Minnesota Blades, an AAA Hockey Club, last fall. She is also a three-time softball letter-winner as a second baseman for the Cardinals.