MADISON, Wis. -- Six incoming freshmen have signed their National Letter of Intent to join the Wisconsin women's hockey program next fall, head coach Mark Johnson announced on Tuesday. 

Forwards Kelly Gorbatenko (Barrington, Illinois), Cassie Hall (South Lyon, Michigan) and Bella Vasseur (Oregon, Wisconsin), defenders Ava Murphy (Kitchener, Ontario) and Laney Potter (Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania) and goaltender Ava McNaughton (Seven Fields, Pennsylvania) are set to join the Badgers next fall.

"This is a very well-rounded and talented group," Johnson said. "Our fans got to see many of these players play here in June at the 2022 IIHF Under-18 Women's World Championship at LaBahn Arena for their national teams. With their experience playing with their under-18 teams, their skill levels, their work habits their future is very bright. 

"We're excited to welcome the group to Madison and there's going to be opportunities for each one of them to come in and help the program." 

Kelly Gorbatenko
A forward from Barrington, Illinois, Gorbatenko represented the United States at the IIHF Under-18 Women's World Championships in 2022 at LaBahn Arena in Madison, where the team won silver. She attended the 2021 USA Hockey Women's National Festival and was chosen to participate in the 2019 & 2021 USA Hockey Girls U18 Select Player Development Camp. In her sophomore year, she won the 2021 USA Hockey Youth Nationals with Chicago Mission. 

Gorbatenko is currently in her fifth season with Chicago Mission, where she plays under Erin Rourke.  

Personal: Parents are Greg and Karen Gorbatenko… has two brothers, Mark and Matt, and four sisters, Danika, Rachel, Nicole, Kendra… role models are her brother, Mark and her parents.

Why Wisconsin? "It's close to home, has great academics, has an elite hockey team and athletics. My dad is an alumni, and I want to play in front of a big crowd."

Johnson on Gorbatenko: "We're excited to see Kelly take her game to the college level and continue what she's done. Kelly's a hard worker, she's got a great shot and is a power forward. She's scored in big games at all different levels, even scoring three goals in the National Championship game with the Chicago Mission in 2021."

Cassie Hall
A forward from South Lyon, Michigan, Hall skated for the United States in both the IIHF Under-18 Women's World Championship and U.S. Under-18 Select Team at the Under-18 Series vs. Canada in 2022. She tallied four points on two goals and two assists in five games during the IIHF U18 Women's World Championship at LaBahn Arena in Madison, helping lead the team to a silver medal. Hall was invited to participate in the USA Hockey Women's National Festival in both 2021 and 2022, as well as the  2021 and 2022 USA Hockey Girls U-18 Select Player Development Camps. Outside of USA Hockey, the forward competes with Little Caeser's AAA Hockey, who she won USA Hockey Youth Nationals with in both her under-16 and under-19 year. 

Hall currently plays on the Under-19 AAA Little Caesar's team under Tom Forgione. 

Personal: Parents are Kevin and Elizabeth Hall… has an older brother, Cameron and an older sister, Courtney… role model is her older sister Courtney, who plays Division I hockey at St. Cloud State.

Why Wisconsin? "It is a great school academically, with a highly skilled team that is always competing at the highest level, with an amazing coaching staff. The arena has a great atmosphere that is always filled with the best fans."

Johnson on Hall: "Cassie's creative with the puck, she's someone that can use her speed effectively and beat people wide. She's won multiple national championships with Little Caesars and she's very skilled. We've watched her grow throughout the years, she has had experience playing here for the IIHF Under-18 Women's World Championship  and she's a good fit for what we do here." 

Ava McNaughton
A goaltender from Seven Fields, Pennsylvania, McNaughton represented the U.S. at the 2022 IIHF U-18 Women's World Championship at LaBahn Arena in Madison. She started in a 5-0 win for Team USA against Finland as the U.S. earned silver at the tournament. She also attended the USA Hockey Women's Festival in 2021 and participated in the 2021 USA Hockey Girls U-18 Select Player Development Camp.

McNaughton currently plays for BK Selects out of Bishop Kearney High School where she plays under Paul Colontino  and alongside fellow future Badger, Bella Vasseur.

Personal: Parents are Robert and Gretchen McNaughton… has an older sister, Emily… role models are Carey Price, her sister Emily, and her trainer at home, James Lederach.

Why Wisconsin? "I chose Wisconsin because as soon as I stepped on campus I felt at home. I love living on the water, so being that Madison has two, it was like icing on the cake. I loved the lively college town of both students and residents of the area. On top of the incredible campus and academics, the legacy of elite division one hockey that Wisconsin has built over the years had me in love with the school from the start, and I am beyond excited to become a Badger."

Johnson on McNaughton: "We've seen and watched Ava for a while, and she's a dedicated player who continues to work on her game. She has great size, her techniques and movements are precise and she brings a competitive attitude where she treats every practice like a game. Ava played here during the IIHF Women's Under-18 World Championship so she knows the environment and I think she'll adapt to the college game pretty smoothly."

Ava Murphy
A defender from Kitchener, Ontario, Murphy skated for Canada at the 2022 IIHF Under-18 Women's World Championship at LaBahn Arena in Madison, where the team won gold and she led Team Canada in scoring with two goals and three assists. She has also attended numerous development camps including the Under-18 Canadian National Women's Camp and the Under-18 Ontario Women's Hockey Association High Performance Camp. Murphy was also chosen to attend the inaugural Gatorade - Fueling the Future Camp sponsored by the Toronto Maple Leafs. 

Murphy currently plays for Oakville Hornets U-22 Team under Stacey McConnell. 

Personal: Parents are John and Kelly Murphy… has a younger brother, Finn and three sisters, Ella, Eden, and Pippa… role models are Renata Fast and Megan Bozek.

Why Wisconsin? "The University of Wisconsin has it all, including a gorgeous campus, rich academic offerings, excellence in athletics and incredible support for athletes. The hockey program has a long history of success and a strong, loyal following."

Johnson on Murphy: "Badger fans have already seen Ava play here at LaBahn Arena as she had a stellar gold medal game for the Canadians. She's strong with a good shot, and has great work habits. She's got a great personality and fans will enjoy watching her play."

Laney Potter
A defender from Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania, Potter represented the U.S. at the 2022 IIHF Under-18 Women's World Championship at LaBahn Arena in Madison, where she picked up an assist in the gold-medal game. She also attended the USA Hockey Women's Festival in 2021 and participated in the 2019 and 2021 USA Hockey Girls Under-18 Select Player Development Camp. 

Potter currently plays for the Philadelphia Jr Flyers Under-19 Team under Chris Baer. 

Personal: Parents are Mark and Alicia Potter… has an older brother, Joey who plays in the NAHL and is her role model. 

Why Wisconsin? "The combination of academics, remarkable atmosphere, and unbelievable hockey made it the right school for me."

Johnson on Potter: "Laney's got a great shot and is strong in all three zones. We've watched her develop since she was young and it's going to be fun to see her continue to develop throughout the collegiate level. Laney brings a solid skill set, is strong and loves being on the ice." 

Bella Vasseur 
A forward from Oregon, Wisconsin, Vasseur participated in the USA Hockey's Girls U18 Select Camp in both 2021 and 2022. Skating for Bishop Kearney's BK Selects alongside future Badger Ava McNaughton, Vasseur has captured two state championship titles, as well as Rookie of the Year her freshman year and Team MVP her sophomore year. 

Vasseur currently plays for BK Selects out of Bishop Kearney High School, with fellow incoming freshman Ava McNaughton, where she plays under Paul Colontino. 

Personal: Mother is Cristal Vasseur… considers her mom her role model … favorite professional athlete is Serena Williams.

Why Wisconsin? "​I love the campus as it feels like home. The energy of the hockey program really caught my attention."

Johnson on Vasseur: "Bella is somebody that has matured and improved her game on the ice immensely over the past couple of years. She brings a positive attitude to the rink every day and has great work habits. She's creative with the puck, is a playmaker, has a lot of skill and can put the puck in the back of the net."