Badger women's hockey early senior day; injury update
A women's college hockey season unlike any other features a unique mid-season Wisconsin women's hockey senior send-off
Madison, WI - Days before the departure of five Wisconsin Badgers for the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Italy, Wisconsin women’s hockey will celebrate its graduating seniors. Yes, a senior day in January for a regular season that will not conclude until nearly a month from now is odd. It is yet another unique facet in an unprecedented women’s college hockey season.
UW’s Olympians depart from Madison this upcoming week. Because seniors Caroline Harvey, Laila Edwards, and Kirsten Simms could be competing in Milan through the medal games for Team USA until February 19th, it is likely they will miss Wisconsin’s final regular season series inside LaBahn Arena on February 21st and 22nd. Closing ceremonies at the Olympic Games are on February 22nd, 2026.
Junior goaltender Ava McNaughton will join her teammates on Team USA. Czech standout and collegiate rookie Adéla Šapovalivová will suit up for her respective national team led by head coach and former Badger women’s hockey captain Carla McLeod.
Before then, Wisconsin plays one more series with both rosters at equal strength (“that’s debatable”).
Who to Watch: Wisconsin women’s hockey senior class
Including its Olympians, Wisconsin will honor nine seniors before its series opener on Saturday against the Bemidji State Beavers. A pregame ceremony will be held beginning 30 minutes prior to puck drop.
In addition to the senior Olympians, Wisconsin will honor: Claire Enright, Chloe Baker, Marianne Picard, Lacey Eden, Vivian Jungels, and McKayla Zilisch.
“They’re obviously amazing hockey players, and then, off the ice, they’re even better people,” UW forward Cassie Hall said of her senior teammates."
“They’ve matured. They bought into what we try to sell here,” Wisconsin head coach Mark Johnson said of the group. “Even though they’re elite players, they’re willing to do things that help the team, help the community. And then, set an example of working hard and being consistent in their work habits over a long period of time.”
Injury update: Alternate captain Marianne Picard
A member of Wisconsin’s leadership group this season, Marianne Picard has been an integral depth piece at center for UW this season. In each of the past three seasons, the fifth-year has appeared in every game for the Badgers. During her first year in Madison, Picard suffered a season-ending injury after skating in six games.
Last weekend at St. Thomas, Picard suffered what her head coach called a “gut wrenching” injury. While killing a penalty, the Repentigny, Quebec native’s right leg collided with the goal post. Picard is a key member of that special teams unit, and with Wisconsin scheduled to be without other players on its roster due to the Olympics, her potential prolonged absence would be a significant hit to UW’s hopes of winning a WCHA conference title. Wisconsin currently sits one point ahead of the Ohio State Buckeyes and two points ahead of the Minnesota Golden Gophers in the standings.
“After this weekend, then it really affects us,” Johnson said on Tuesday of Picard’s injury. “So, that was a real tough one to swallow.”
Johnson indicated that he would learn more about Picard’s injury status and her potential to play in the “next two, three, four weeks” throughout this week leading up to the series. The Stanstead College product missed last weekend’s series finale after suffering that injury.
When, where, how to watch Wisconsin vs Bemidji State women’s hockey
Where: LaBahn Arena — University of Wisconsin-Madison
Listen: 1070AM The Game / iHeart Radio (Play-by-play: Aidan Michaels; Commentary: Mark Greenhalgh)
Game 1
When: Saturday, January 24th, 1:00 p.m. Central
Watch: Big Ten Plus
Game 2:
When: Sunday, January 25th, 11:00 a.m. Central
Watch: Big Ten Plus
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What I find fascinating about this story is how it captures something unlike the typical sports narrative we're used to hearing. Usually, we celebrate athletes who power through everything, who never let circumstances dictate their path. But this situation—honoring seniors mid-season because of Olympic commitments—reveals a more human reality: sometimes the calendar doesn't align with our plans, and that's okay.
The fact that Wisconsin is making space for this ceremony, even though it falls outside the traditional timeline, speaks to something I think we often miss in competitive environments. Recognition matters not because of when it happens, but because of what it acknowledges. These athletes have given years to this program, and unlike a manufactured celebration that fits neatly into a season finale, this one meets them where they actually are in their journey.
It's a small reminder that the best way to honor people isn't always the most convenient way. Sometimes it's the one that says, "We see you, and your timing is valid, even if it's unlike what we've done before."