By Bill Alden

Having said goodbye to a stellar group of 10 seniors from last year’s squad, the Princeton Day School girls’ hockey team will be featuring new faces in new places on the ice this winter.

“There is a lot of opportunity available, we are just trying to feel it out,” said PDS head coach Jamie Davis, who guided PDS to a 12-6 record and a spot in the semifinal round of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) state tournament last winter. “It is going to take a little bit of learning for everyone because we have some players who aren’t used to the ice time and have the opportunity to step up. We also have our players who have been contributors for us.”

With two of the Panthers’ top returning forwards, senior Eibhleann Knox (9 goals and 12 assists in 2023-24) and junior Brynn Dandy (4 goals, 5 assists), currently sidelined by injury, others will have opportunity to step up.

A pair of freshmen, Layla Sosner and Alexis Moslin, are poised to emerge as stars.

“They are both talented players so they are going to contribute a lot this year,” said Davis, nothing that sophomore Della Gilligan (4 goals, 3 assists) and senior Grace Ulrich (2 goals, 6 assists) will be seeing time at forward.

On defense, PDS will be relying on a trio of veterans — senior Aerin Bruno (1 goal, 4 assists), sophomore Sam Dandy (2 goals, 5 assists), and junior Mariana Lee (1 goal) — to hold the fort.

“Bruno is looking really good she has been banged up but is finally healthy,” said Davis, whose team was slated to start the season hosting Morristown-Beard on December 10, Oak Knoll on December 12, and Trinity Hall on December 17. “She is a really hard worker, she is a leader on the team and a great defender. Sam brings security on defense. She is a great puck carrier. She can break out any pass in our zone and also contributes offensively. That is another player we are hoping takes that next step. We are going to run Mariana on defense, she is holding her own. She is a player who can play offense or defense. With light numbers, we are trying defense first.”

At goalie, junior transfer Kelly Stevens will be a welcome addition for the Panthers.

“Kelly is a really strong goalie,” said Davis. “She hasn’t been totally tested yet, we have only had one scrimmage. In practice, she stands on her head. She is a competitor, which is nice. She is going to be one of our best players this year.”

With PDS starting the season with nine skaters plus Stevens, Davis believes the squad can grow into a force.

“Once we have our injured players back we have a really strong team,” said Davis. “Until then, it is going to take a little work. We have got good players that don’t get the usual ice time and hopefully they get used to it. We will do some rebuilding and get a couple of key players back and hopefully it all comes together at the right time.”