Wisconsin Female Forwards of the Future

Wisconsin has a pretty deep crop of upcoming female forwards in the 15 & 16 year old age group. No less than four Wisconsin girls were in the top five scoring leaders at this year's USA Hockey Girls 15/16 Festival. Due to ties in scoring, there were 17 players in the "top 5", and Wisconsin had four of those players.

Tied for fourth in scoring at the Festival was Brianna Decker from Dousman, who I would rate as the best of this group of forwards. I have seen her play a couple of times, and she has a complete game, and regularly competed with the best in the country this season as a second-line forward for Shattuck St. Mary's top team as a Freshman.

Second on my list would probably be Kim Tess-Wanat from Fond du Lac, who tied for fifth in scoring at the Festival. I have only been able to see her play once, but also seems to have a complete game.

Amanda Kessel and Jamie Kenyon also tied for fifth in scoring at the Festival. The thing about Kessel's scoring though is that she scored all of her goals in one game...meaning she may have just done well against one team with poor defenseman. In the times I have seen her play against girls (she has played with the Capitol boys team during the season) her only weapon seems to be her speed and her capability to utilize that as an individual threat.

Jamie Kenyon's sister is Cyndy Kenyon, who as a Senior last season helped lead the UW Women's Hockey Team to the National Title. I have not been able to see Jamie Kenyon play at all, so can't really weigh an opinion on her.

Dawson Bancroft Short is also in this age group, and she finished at the Girls 15/16 Festival with one goal in five games. She was the leading scorer for the Capitols Girls team last season, but in the times I've seen her play she just does not jump out at me. I mention her name as many people do hold her play in high regard.

All in all, it's good to see that there are potentially several girls capable of making the jump to Division 1 hockey in a few years. Hopefully Mark Johnson will be able to use their services at UW, and these girls will elect to stay in-state.