Eight Newcomers Join Orange Hockey

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The Syracuse women's ice hockey team has added eight newcomers to the 2016-17 roster. Amanda Bäckebo, Ady Cohen, Logan Hicks, Alexandra Olnowich, Savannah Rennie, Kelli Rowswell, Brooke Avery and Lindsay Eastwood will each suit up for the Orange in its ninth season.

"Our staff and returning players are very excited about our 2016-17 incoming class," head coach Paul Flanagan said. "Six freshmen, a sophomore transfer and a redshirt freshman have joined our program. This group will not only provide quality depth at all three positions, but also should help create a very challenging and competitive competition for playing time."

Bäckebo (Djurås, Sweden) played on the Swedish U18 National Team from 2013-15 as a defenseman. Bäckebo participated in several camps including, the International Ice Hockey Federation Women's High Performance camp held in Sheffield, Great Britain in 2013 and in Vierumaki, Finland in 2014, and the Swedish U-20 Russincamp in 2014 and 2015. Bäckebo also played in the Riksserien National League from 2011 on through high school.

Cohen (Boynton Beach, Fla.) adds depth at the goalie position for the Orange after playing four years at Gilmour Academy. She finished her high school career with 49 shutouts and 70 wins and was named the Most Valuable Female athlete at Gilmour her senior year. Aside from her prep career, Cohen also took part in USA Hockey National and Mid-American District Development Camps.

Hicks (Scotsdale, Ariz.) comes to Syracuse after two years with the St. Louis Lady Blues U-19 Tier One team as a defenseman. While with the Lady Blues, Hicks scored 13 goals and 29 assists in 56 games. She participated in USA Hockey Development Camps in 2012 and 2013. Hicks was also a standout lacrosse player, winning a state championship her senior year.

Olnowich (Madison, N.J.) prepped at The Lawrenceville School where she played for three seasons as a defender. In her senior year, Olnowich scored seven goals and had 10 assists as a team captain. She was named First Team All-State by NJ.com in the 2015-16 season. Olnowich participated in the USA Hockey Development Camp in 2015.

Rennie (East St. Paul, Manitoba) played with the Shaftesbury Titans Prep team for four seasons in high school and earned Rookie of the Year honors her first year. In 2015, she and the Manitoba U-18 team won silver at the national tournament.

Rowswell (Winnipeg, Manitoba) brings more depth to the forward position. While playing for Balmoral Hall, she scored 18 goals and had 18 assists her senior season. In 2015, Rowswell played with the Manitoba U-18 team and she was invited to the Canadian U-18 Strength and Conditioning Camp.

Avery (Concord, N.H.) is a sophomore transfer from New Hampshire and she will bring experience to the Orange's offense. As a forward, Avery played in 41 games, registering one goal and one assist during her time with UNH.

Eastwood (Nepean, Ontario) will make her Orange debut after sitting out last season. She was a member of the Canada U-18 team in 2014 and played defenseman for the Ontario U-18 squad in 2013. Eastwood led Nepean to a league championship during the 2013-14 season and was named a team captain during her junior and senior seasons. In her career, she tallied 14 goals and 53 assists, ranking her as a top-five points leader among defenseman in Provincial Women's Hockey League history.

The eight newcomers will join 15 returners for the 2016-17 season. The Orange won a program record 14 conference games and advanced to the CHA title game against Mercyhurst as the No. 2 seed last season.

For complete coverage of Syracuse and Syracuse women's ice hockey, follow us on Facebook (Syracuse Orange & Syracuse Women's Ice Hockey), Twitter (@Cuse & @CuseIce), Instagram (@CusePics & @CuseIce) and watch exclusive video content on Cuse TV.

Syracuse University Athletics

Players Mentioned

Lindsay Eastwood

Related Videos