Hailey Armstrong named captain; Bemidji State announces leadership group

112024.S.BP.BSUWHKY Hailey Armstrong.jpg — The Beavers celebrate after sophomore Hailey Armstrong scored a goal during the third period against St. Thomas on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, at the Sanford Center.

By Pioneer Staff Report

June 05, 2025 at 7:16 PM

BEMIDJI 鈥� Bemidji State women's hockey head coach Amber Fryklund announced on Thursday that Hailey Armstrong, Raeley Carney and Morgan Smith will captain the Bemidji State Women鈥檚 Hockey team for the upcoming 2025-26 season.

Armstrong will wear the 鈥淐鈥� as captain of the green and white, while Carney and Smith will don the 鈥淎鈥� as alternates. All team captains are voted on by returning players.

022625.S.BP.BSUWH Hailey Armstrong — Bemidji State's Hailey Armstrong (29) sends the puck around the boards against Wisconsin during the third period on Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, at the Sanford Center.

Armstrong, a junior from Dawson Creek, British Columbia, and RINK Hockey Academy Kelowna alumni, wears a letter for the first time in her Beaver career. She has skated in 73 career games for the Beavers, totaling 28 points off 19 goals and nine assists.

Armstrong is a WCHA Scholar-Athlete, All-Academic Team selection and an AHCA/Krampade All-American Scholar. Last season, she totaled the second-most points and goals on the team, recording 18 points off 10 goals and eight assist,s while her three game-winning goals were the most on the team. She led the team with 97 shots on goal and recorded a program record 14 against Lindenwood on Oct. 18.

Wasilla, Alaska, native and Alaska All Stars alumni Raely Carney will serve as one of two alternates for the Beavers. She has skated in 101 career games and has totaled 14 points off of eight goals and six assists. She is a two-time WCHA Scholar-Athlete, All-Academic Team and AHCA All-American Scholar in the classroom.

112024.S.BP.BSUWHKY Raeley Carney.jpg — Bemidji State's Raeley Carney (10) reacts after scoring a goal to put the Beavers ahead 4-1 during the third period against St. Thomas on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, at the Sanford Center.

Last season, Carney totaled a career-high seven points off five goals and two assists and was fourth on the team in goals. She paced the Beavers' shooters at a 20-percent efficiency, scoring five goals on just 25 shots.

Smith becomes just the fourth sophomore in BSU women's hockey history to wear a letter, serving as an alternate for the upcoming season. The Winnipeg, Manitoba, native made an immediate impact in her first season with the Beavers, playing in all 37 games and leading the team in points (20) and goals (11), becoming the first 20-point scorer at BSU since 2021-22.

Smith scored the most goals by a Beaver freshman since 2000-01 and became the first Beaver to net two hat tricks in a season since 2010-11. Smith was named the WCHA Rookie of the Week three times during the season, the league鈥檚 Rookie of the Month in December and was voted Bemidji State鈥檚 Female Newcomer of the Year.

011125.S.BP.BSUWHKY Morgan Smith 2.jpg — Bemidji State's Morgan Smith (21) controls the puck during a game against Minnesota on Nov. 1, 2024, at the Sanford Center.

By Pioneer Staff Report

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