Minnesota women’s hockey head coach Laura Halldorson announced that Danielle Ashley from Burlington, Ont., has signed a National Letter of Intent and will join the Gopher women’s hockey team for the 2003-04 season.
Ashley, a defenseman, currently plays for the Beatrice Senior Aeros and was a member of the National Women’s Hockey League Championship team in 2002.
In 2001-02, Ashley played in 18 games, scoring a goal and 13 assists for 14 points. In addition, she competed at the Canadian Under-18 Challenge Championships in Quebec, last February, where she was named the most valuable player on the gold medal winning Team Ontario. Prior to her time with the Aeros, Ashley was a member of the Mississauga Ice Bears in 2000-01.
In April of 2000, Ashley became the youngest member on a Canadian’s National Women’s Hockey team at the age of 14.
“We are excited to sign Danielle because she is a very talented defenseman who plays in the top women’s hockey league in Canada,” Halldorson said in a release. “She is strong, tough, and very skilled. Also, because of her great personality, she will fit in very well with her teammates. I’m looking forward to coaching her.”