MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin women's hockey team announced on Thursday that defender Anna Wilgren from Minnesota State will join the Badgers for the 2023-24 season. 

A native of Hudson, Wisconsin, Wilgren joins UW after five seasons with Minnesota State. The defender took a redshirt year during 2021-22 to join Team USA at the 2021 My Why Tour and 2022 Olympic Residency Program. 

"I couldn't be more excited to play along with such a talented group of women for the school I grew up cheering for," Wilgren said. 

"We're excited to add a player of Anna's caliber to our program," UW head coach Mark Johnson said. "She's an experienced player who not only has a lot of familiarity with our program, but with our league as well."

Wilgren collected 42 points on 12 goals and 30 assists throughout 91 games at Minnesota State. Named to the WCHA All-Rookie Team her freshman year and the All-WCHA Third Team her sophomore year, Wilgren made her impact on the program early, solidifying her spot as captain for three-straight seasons. 

She also excelled in the classroom as the blueliner is a four-time WCHA All-Academic selection and a four-time WCHA Scholar Athlete honoree. 

Prior to her collegiate career, Wilgren skated at Hudson High School for four years and spent a season with the Madison Capitols Under-19 Team. She was the 2017 and 2018 Molly Engstrom Award Winner, given to the best defender in the state, and finished her prep career as the all-time leading scorer in Hudson girls hockey program history. 

The Badgers are coming off of their record seventh NCAA title thanks to a 1-0 win over Ohio State in the national championship game last month.