The University of Minnesota Duluth women's hockey program announced its early signing class Monday, and it's safe to say, the future of the Bulldog program is in good hands.

Eight high school standouts have a signed a National Letter of Intent in the early period to join UMD's 2018-19 freshman class.  The future 2018-19 Bulldog freshman class includes Taylor Anderson (Eagan, Minn.), Maggie Flaherty (Lakeville, Minn.), Kylie Hanley (Minnetonka, Minn.), McKenzie Hewett (Edmonton, Alberta), Gabbie Hughes (Lino Lakes, Minn.), Anneke Linser (Lino Lakes, Minn.), Lizi Norton (Orono, Minn.), and Kailee Skinner (Penticton, British Columbia).

"Today is a proud day for us in Bulldog Country as we announce this remarkable class, said head coach Maura Crowell. "We have put a strong focus on this group for quite some time, and look forward to seeing them in maroon and gold next fall. I would like to thank my assistant coach Laura Bellamy for her tireless work bringing this very strong group -- one that boasts three Under-18 gold medalists -- to UMD, as well as former assistants who helped along the way."

 Anderson, a forward and current team captain for Eagan High School, was selected to USA Hockey's Under-18 National Development Camp in 2016, 2015 and 2014 in St. Cloud, Minn.  All-State honorable mention as both a junior (2016-17) and a sophomore (2015-16), Anderson is a three-time South Suburban All-Conference selection (2016-17, 2015-16, 2014-15).  A three-time team MVP, Anderson led the Wildcats points in three of her last four years on varsity (2016-17, 2014-15, 2013-14) and four consecutive years was Eagan's top scorer (2016-17, 2015-16, 2014-15, 2013-14).
 
Flaherty attended the 2017 USA Hockey Girls Select Under-18 Player Development Camp in 2017, and netted a goal in the U-18 Series.  An All-State honorable mention in 2017 for Lakeville North High School, Flaherty is a two-time South Suburban All-Conference selection (2016-17, 2015-16) and two-time South Suburban All-Conference honorable selection (2014-15, 2013-14).  Flaherty has led the Panthers in scoring since her freshman season (three consecutive years), and a will captain the Lakeville North for a second-straight season in 2017-18.  

Hanley was also a member of the Panthers MSHS Tournament third place team in 2014. Hanley was USA Hockey Under-18 Select 66 Camp attendee in Biddeford, Maine in 2016, and was also tabbed for the Under-18 National Development Camp in St. Cloud, Minn. in 2015.  An alternate for the U.S. National U-18 Team in 2016, Hanley was a CCM NIT Champion with Minnesota High Performance Team Gold U-18 in 2017.  Hanley was also a CCM NIT Champion MSHSL Elite League and in 2015, earned second place in the national championships.  An Elite League participant in 2017, 2016 and 2015, Hanley was a Lake Conference All-Conference selection for Hopkins High School the past three seasons (2016-17, 2015-16, 2014-15).  A three-year captain, Hanley has also led the Royals in points the past two seasons (2016-17, 2015-16).
 

Hewett was named the captain for Team Alberta Under-18's in 2017, one year after serving as an assistant captain in 2016.  Skated for the Slash of the Alberta Female Hockey League, Hewett was an 2015-16 JWHL All-Star selection at Warner Hockey School, she was a member of Alberta's Under-18 women's provincial team that competed in the Canadian National Women's Under-18 Championship last November, and has been rostered on that squad since 2015.  An assistant captain of South Side Athletic Club boys team in 2014-15, she was awarded the South Side Athletic Club Scholarship and Sports and Excellence Award.   

 
Hughes, like her high school teammate Linser, was a member of the U.S. Women's National Under-18 Team that participated in the 2017 IIHF Under-18 Women's World Championship gold medal team.  A member of the 2016 U.S. Women's Under-18 Select Team at the Under-18 Series vs. Canada, Hughes was a participant in USA Hockey's 2016 Women's National Festival and attended the 2016 Girls Select U-18 Player Development Camp.  Hughes is a two-time All-State selection (2016-17, 2015-16), and was an East Metro Girl Hockey Player of the Year finalist last season as a junior.  Twice a Star Tribune All-Metro Team honoree (Third Team in 2016-17, Second Team in 2015-16), Hughes, a All-Metro East Team member in 2015-16, is also a four-time Northwest Suburban Conference All-Conference selection (2016-17, 2015-16, 2014-15, 2013-14).  A Centennial High School assistant captain as both a junior and senior, Hughes was the Cougars Most Valuable Player as a freshman and junior, and was the team's Offensive Player of the Year twice (2015-16, 2014-15), and Co-Offensive Player of the Year in 2016-17.  Hughes has led Centennial in both points and goals for four-consecutive years, and last season led all of Class AA with 72 points.  Already the career leader for the Cougars in points (234), goals (126), and assists (108), Hughes was also a member of the 2017 NIT Minnesota Under-18 Team that was the 2017 Minnesota Hockey CCM High School National Invitational Tournament Champions.

Linser has a wealth of USA Hockey experience, including as a member of the U.S. Women's National Under-18 Team that participated in the 2017 IIHF Under-18 Women's World Championship gold medal team.  A member of the 2016 U.S. Women's Under-18 Select Team at the Under-18 Series vs. Canada, Linser also participated in USA Hockey's 2016 Women's National Festival and attended the 2016 Girls Select U-18 Player Development Camp.  Named to the 2016-17 All-State team, as well as to the 2016-17 Star Tribune All Metro Second Team as a forward at Centennial High School, Linser was also named the 2016-17 Co-Offensive Player of the Year.  Named to the Northwest Suburban All-Conference Team for three-consecutive years, Linser was an All-State honorable mention in 2015-16, and an All-Conference honorable mention honoree in 2013-14.  An assistant captain as a junior, Linser will captain the Cougars this winter.

Norton won gold with the U.S. National Under-18 Team in the 2017 IIHF U-18 Women's World Championship, and was a member of the 2016 U.S. Women's Under-18 Select Team at the Under-18 Series vs. Canada.  A participant in the 2016 Women's National Festival, Norton also attended two Girls Select U-18 Player Development Camps in 2017 and 2016.  As a junior last season, Norton ranked second for Orono in points with eight goals and nine assists for a total of 17 in 24 games from the blueline. In 26 high school skates over the past two seasons, Norton has compiled 14 goals -- including two in section playoff games -- and 17 assists for 31 points.

Skinner, a 5'10 defenseman, picked up a bronze medal with Team British Columbia just this week in the 2017 National Hockey Tournament. Prior to becoming a bronze medalist, Skinner finished the 2016-17 season with Okanagan Hockey Academy tied as the Canadian Sport School Hockey League's top scoring blueliner with five goals and 13 assists for 18 points in 20 games. Won the 2017 CSSHL Prep League Championship with Okanagan, where Skinner will also be an assistant captain for the 2017-18 season. Skinner who played in the 2017 Hockey Canada Nationals, also was named to the Top Performer List for the 2017 Stoney Creek University Showcase by the Neutral Zone.