Greatest women’s ECAC rookie years since 2010

The women’s ECAC Hockey conference has been running since 1984-85. Its current member schools have been together since 2006-07.

There have been a large number of impressive women’s ECAC freshman seasons over the course of these years. Given the volume, there are simply too many standout performances for a single list. Accordingly, this list focuses on the top individual rookie campaigns of this calendar decade.

This list includes a defender who won the national championship during her rookie campaign. Another honoree led her program to its first NCAA tournament in 10 years. There is also a forward who won an Olympic bronze medal as a freshman. A number of standout goalies earned a spot.

All this being taken into consideration, here are the 10 greatest women’s ECAC freshman seasons.

10. Ella Shelton, Clarkson, 2016-17

Shelton was one of many Golden Knights to have a standout season en route to the program’s second national title. She tallied six goals and added 19 assists for 25 points from the blue line.

This point total and assist total led the nation’s rookie defenders. Her point total was fourth among all rookies in the conference. She earned all-conference rookie team and third-team honors for her performance.

9. Lovisa Selander, Rensselaer, 2015-16 

Selander stood out for the Engineers and was one of the top rookie goalies in the nation. She posted a 2.11 goals-against average and .939 save percentage, impressive numbers for a team that struggled overall.

She earned a spot on the all-conference third team for her performance. Nationally, her save percentage and ranked first among rookies and seventh overall. Her GAA ranked second, and her four shutouts tied for first.

8. Karlie Lund, Princeton, 2015-16

While piloting Princeton to its first NCAA tournament since 2006, Lund scored 39 points in 33 games played. This point total ranked third among ECAC skaters, first among freshmen. Within the conference, she was named rookie of the year and earned a spot on the first all-star team.

Nationally, her point total ranked third among rookies. She also had five game-winning goals, good for second in the conference.

7. Shea Tiley, Clarkson, 2014-15

Tiley filled big pads with no hesitation at Clarkson. Tasked with replacing national-championship netminder Erica Howe, she went 24-11-3 with a .939 save percentage, 1.40 goals-against average and nine shutouts.

That output earned her the conference top-goalie and top-rookie awards. She also landed a spot on the all-conference first team.

Tiley capped her first campaign by confirming her ability to shut other teams down when it mattered most. She allowed one goal or none during each of the final seven games of the regular season, securing first place in the conference tournament.

6. Phoebe Staenz, Yale, 2013-14

Staenz played just 20 games for the Bulldogs as a freshman due to her role on the Swiss national team. But she made the most of those 20 games, leading Yale with 11 goals and 15 assists for 26 points.

She was rewarded in numerous ways for her performance. She was named the USCHO.com rookie of the year, ECAC rookie of the year and to the New England Division I hockey writers all-star team. To top that off, she represented her school well in the Olympics, scoring a key equalizer in the bronze-medal game en route to an upset of Sweden.

5. Victoria Vigilanti, Quinnipiac, 2009-10

Vigilanti put up incredible numbers during her rookie campaign. She posted a .950 save percentage and 1.25 goals-against average, topping the nation in both categories. This went along with an overall record of 18-10-8.

Her save percentage was the seventh-best single-season mark in NCAA Division I women’s hockey history. She was named to the ECAC first all-star team as well as the goalie and rookie of the year.

4. Brianne Jenner, Cornell, 2010-11

Jenner started her career with 23 goals, 27 assists and 50 points in 33 games for the Big Red. This tied her for the team lead in points and was tied for second in the conference overall. This point was tied for 13th nationally and second among rookies.

She was named the Ivy League rookie of the year and earned a spot on the ECAC first team for her performance.

3. Erin Ambrose, Clarkson, 2012-13

Ambrose’s freshman campaign was a strong year for rookies, and she managed to rank eighth nationally among her classmates with 36 points. That total, which included 30 assists, was first among rookie defenders and second among all blueliners in the nation.

She was the conference rookie of the year and earned a spot on the all-conference second team. Within the conference, her 36 points ranked ninth, first among rookies. It also led all defenders in the ECAC.

2. Jillian Saulnier, Cornell, 2011-12

Saulnier jumped right out of the gate in outstanding fashion. She scored four goals in her collegiate debut. This was a sign of things to come, as she was incredible for the Big Red during her entire rookie year. She led all rookies nationally with 52 points (22 goals and 30 assists) in 33 games.

This total ranked third in the conference among all players, behind her regular linemates Rebecca Johnston and Jenner. She earned the ECAC’s top-rookie honor for her performance, as well as a spot on the all-conference second team.

1. Kelly Babstock, Quinnipiac, 2010-11

Babstock rapidly emerged as a clutch collegiate player. Of her 30 goals, scored 10 were of a nation-leading game-clinching variety. With 29 assists, her 59 points in 37 games led the conference and placed her fifth nationally and first among all rookies.

Her performance was rewarded with recognition as the top women’s ECAC freshman and league MVP.