HAMILTON – Colgate head women's ice hockey coach Greg Fargo announced the signing of seven new players for the 2023-24 season. 

Five Canadians and two Americans join an already stacked roster looking to win its fourth straight ECAC Hockey Championship this winter. The freshmen will play alongside the reigning ECAC Hockey Player of the Year, Danielle Serdachny, and defensemen Sydney Bard who joined Serdachny as an All-ECAC Hockey First-Team selection last season. 

"We feel incredibly fortunate to welcome our incoming recruiting class to the Colgate hockey family," Fargo said. "This is an exceptional group with talent, impressive character and drive and they will undoubtedly add tremendous value to our program and our vibrant campus community."

"Together, we look forward to fostering a culture of teamwork and growth while ensuring we leave our program better than we found it. With their dedication and passion for the game, we are excited to see how this class will leave a positive impact both on and off the ice."
 
Kaia Malachino
#4 | Wing | 5-7
Brighton, Mich. | Brighton High School
 
Before Colgate
Played for coach Tom Forgione on the 2021 Little Caesars U16 AAA United States Hockey National Championship team … Repeated as United States Hockey National Champions with the same team competing in the U19 AAA division … As a lacrosse player, won the 2022 and 2023 MHSAA Division I State Championships with the Brighton Bulldogs … Was named to the Division I Lacrosse MHSAA All-State First Team for the 2022-23 school year. 
  
Personal
Born: Kaia Malachino in Howell, Mich. 
Family: Daughter of Joe Malachino and Miriam Cavanaugh… has one brother, Kieran, and one sister, Kate

Madeline Palumbo
#7 | Forward | 5-6
Courtice, Ontario | Holy Trinity Catholic Secondary School
 
Before Colgate
Helped Holy Trinity to win a Lake Ontario Secondary School Athletics Women's Hockey Championship in 2020 … Captained the Durham West Junior Lighting last season … Led her team in points and finished third in the OWHA for total points scored … Won a Durham West Provincial Championship last season and finished with a bronze in the Durham West League Championships.  

Personal
Born: Madeline Italia Palumbo in Oshawa, Ontario 
Family: Daughter of Domenic Palumbo and Sandra Taylor …  has three brothers, Lucas, Reid and Liam
 
Avery Pickering
#21 | Defense | 5-10
St. Adolphe, Manitoba | Balmoral Hall School
 
Before Colgate
Part of the Balmoral Hall Blazers squad that won the Mandi Schwartz Tournament during both the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons … Captained the same team during her senior year, scoring 40 points in 34 games en route to receiving JWHL Top Defenseman honors … Competed on the 2022-23 U18 Canadian Women's Hockey Team, dishing out an assist in the U18 World Championship victory. 

Personal
Born: Avery Pickering in St. Adolphe, Manitoba
Family: Daughter of Tom and Dana Pickering… has two brothers, Owen and Graeme
 
Sydney Morrow
#32 | Defense | 5-7
Darien, Conn. | Shattuck Saint Mary's School
 
Before Colgate
Tallied 78 and 89 points in her junior and senior year, respectively, for coach Gordie Stafford's Shattuck Saint Mary's squad  … Won a silver medal while representing the United States as a member of the 2022 U18 Women's World Championship Team. 

Personal
Born: Sydney Morrow in Stamford, Conn. 
Family: Daughter of Steve and Karen Morrow …  has one sister, Sophie, and two brothers, Scott and Spencer

Ella Belfry
#43 | Defense | 5-6
Ontario, Canada | Blyth Academy
 
Before Colgate
Played three years of junior hockey with the Oakville Junior Hornets of the OWHL … Notched 20 total points in 63 games as assistant captain of the Hornets … Winners of the 2019 Quebec tournament, 2021 Stoney Creek Showcase and 2019 Best of the Nest … Attended the Hockey Canada U18 national team showcase camp in the summer of 2021. 

Personal
Born: Ella Belfry in Ridgeway, Ontario
Family: Daughter of Darryl and Ruth Belfry …  has one brother, Easton
 
Emma Pais
#44 | Forward | 5-9
London, Ontario | St. Thomas Aquinas Secondary School
 
Before Colgate
Played three years for the London Junior Devilettes … Put in 31 goals and 24 assists across 36 games … Named assistant captain for the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons … Served as assistant captain on the 2023 U18 Team Canada and Team Ontario squads … Won an OWHL U22 Elite League Championship with the Devilettes in 2023 

Personal
Born: Emmalee Pais in Kenora, Ontario 
Family: Daughter of Tony and Heather Pais …  has one brother, Tyler

Jaimee Spring
#84 | Defense | 5-10
Cranbrook, British Columbia | George Elliot Secondary School
 
Before Colgate
Scored 11 goals and logged 19 assists in her 57-game career at George Elliot Secondary School … Won the CSSHL Championship in 2023 with RHA Kelowna … A member of the 2023 Canada Winter Games gold medalist Team British Columbia … Played on Team British Columbia in 2021, winning the Western Canadian U18 Championship. 

Personal
Born: Jaimee Spring in Cranbrook, British Columbia
Family: Daughter of Corey and Katie Spring …  has two brothers, Sam and Dexter