MADISON, Wis. – Four 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 Wednesday. 

Forwards Hannah Halverson (Edina Minnesota), Finley McCarthy (Whitefish, Montana), Maggie Scannell (Wynantskill, New York) and defender Emma Venusio (Toronto, Ontario) are set to join the Badgers next season. 

"This class has a lot of experience," UW head coach Mark Johnson said. "Three of them have experience playing for their national teams, including Finley and Maggie who both have experience playing at LaBahn Arena during the 2022 IIHF Under-18 Women's World Championship. They are also great leaders on and off the ice as Emma and Maggie are both captains of their respective national teams and Hannah captains her high school team."

"All four of them are very skilled players and have had great success at whatever level of hockey they have played at. Their next step is to continue to work hard and come to Madison to help our program succeed at the highest level."

Hannah Halverson

A forward from Edina, Minnesota, Halverson is a two-time all-conference honoree and was chosen to the Minnesota State All-Tournament team her junior year. She won the Minnesota State Class AA Tournament her freshman year with Edina High School alongside current Badger Vivian Jungels after helping Breck School win the state class A crown as an eighth grader. In 2022, Halverson helped lead MN Grey to their first ever national championship title at the Girls Tier I 16U level. The forward also spent some time with Team USA, as she was invited to participate in the 2022 USA Hockey Women's National Festival. 

Halverson is currently in her fourth season with the Edina Hornets where she plays under Sami Cowger. 

Personal: Parents are Tom and JJ Halverson… has a twin brother, John, and older sister, Ashley… role models are her mom and sister… also plays tennis. 

Why Wisconsin? "I love the culture of the team, coaches and program. It was always my dream to be a Badger."

Johnson on Halverson: "I think she's a really smart hockey player. She is a good playmaker and sees the ice really well. If you look at her numbers you can tell she obviously has the ability to score. She played high school hockey with Vivian Jungels and has a sense of what our program is all about."

Finley McCarthy

A forward from Whitefish, Montana, McCarthy skated with Team USA in both the 2022 and 2023 IIHF Under-18 Women's World Championships where the team earned silver and bronze finishes. She attended the 2021 and 2022 USA Hockey Women's National Festival and represented the United States in the 2022 U.S. Under-18 series against Canada. McCarthy is a three-time New York State Champion with Bishop Kearney Selects and was recently chosen as the tournament MVP at the ROC City Girls Fest in November. 

McCarthy is currently in her fourth season with Bishop Kearney Selects, where she plays under Paul Colontino. 

Personal: Parents are Cody and Richard McCarthy… has an older brother, Darby, who is her role model… enjoys alpine skiing. 

Why Wisconsin? "The elite training facilities, amazing team, school culture and impressionable coaches."

Johnson on McCarthy: "Finley is the first ever player we've had from Montana, which is exciting and shows the growth of our game. She is a power forward with a heavy shot and has the ability to score as well."

Maggie Scannell

A forward from Wynantskill, New York, Scannell represented the United States in both the 2022 and 2023 IIHF Under-18 Women's World Championships where the team picked up silver and bronze finishes. She served as alternate captain of the United States squad at the 2023 IIHF Under-18 Women's World Championship and captain of the U.S. Under-18 Women's Select Team at the 2023 Select Series against Canada. In her junior year at Shattuck-St. Mary's, Scannell won the 2023 USA Hockey National Championship, tallying 98 points in 56 games as a co-captain. 

Scannell is in her third season with Shattuck-St. Mary's, where she plays under Goride Stafford and Badgers legend Brianna Decker. 

Personal: Parents are Bryan and Christine Scannell… has an older brother, Owen, and younger sister, Zoe… also played lacrosse. 

Why Wisconsin? "I am excited for the athletic and academic opportunities presented and am in awe at the sense of belonging felt in Madison. I am eager to be a part of the Badger community."

Johnson on Scannell: "Maggie has served as captain for the U.S. Under-18 team and is a great leader on and off the ice. She is a smart center and is not afraid to go to the dirty areas. She has the ability to put the puck in the net and is a creative playmaker."

Emma Venusio

A defender from Toronto, Ontario, Venusio won gold with Canada in the 2023 IIHF Under-18 Women's World Championship in Sweden. She captained Canada's National Women's Under-18 Team that participated in the 2023 Select Series, where the team won two of three games against the United States. In her sophomore year, Venusio helped lead the Etobicoke Junior Dolphins to a Provincial Championship title and she enjoyed a 40-point season with the Dolphins in the U22 Elite League. She also currently serves as the captain of Team Ontario Red. 

Venusio is currently in her fourth season with the Etobicoke Dolphins, where she plays under Joe Butkevich. 

Personal: Parents are Jack and Helen Venusio… has a younger sister, Mia… role model is Renata Fast… also enjoys playing soccer. 

Why Wisconsin? "Getting to be a part of an incredible community and a hockey program with an exceptional culture."

Johnson on Venusio: "Emma is another player who wears the "C" for her national team and will bring in incredible leadership skills as a freshman. She is a strong offensive player that has a one-timer that might be the best in Canada. She's also a very strong player who is defensively sound."