BEMIDJI, Minn. – For just the fifth time in program history a Bemidji State Women's Hockey student-athlete repeated as team captain when Hailey Armstrong was announced to lead the program as the team's captain for the second consecutive season Friday.
 
Armstrong dawns the "C" for the second straight year and will be assisted by Morgan Smith, Olivia Dronen, Talya Hendrickson and Autumn Cooper who each will wear an "A". Smith repeats as an assistant captain for the Beavers while Dronen, Hendrickson and Cooper will each serve as captains for the first time in their collegiate careers.
 
The five captains will serve during the upcoming 2026-26 season and are the most in one season in program history. All captains are voted upon and elected by returning players.
 
"We are excited to announce Hailey Armstrong as our captain and Morgan Smith, Olivia Dronen, Talya Hendrickson, and Autumn Cooper as assistant captains," said head coach Amber Fryklund. "These players have earned the respect of their teammates through their daily habits, their leadership, and their commitment to the team. Each brings a unique perspective and leadership style that will strengthen our culture and continue to move our program ahead."
 
Hailey Armstrong returns to lead the Beavers for her senior season becoming the fifth Beaver and first since Erin Cody (2009-10) to repeat as captain in back-to-back seasons. She has appeared in 109 career games for the green and white. She has totaled 50 career points so far for Beavers becoming the 35^th Beaver to reach 50 career points achieving the feat in just 889 days, the 18^th fastest in program history. She is tied for 10^th in the program with a career 35 goals and is coming off a 2025-26 season where she scored a career-high 16 goals and 22 points. Armstrong is a two-time WCHA Scholar-Athlete, WCHA All-Academic Team selection and AHCA All-American Scholar.
 
Morgan Smith repeats as an assistant captain for the Beavers after becoming just the fourth sophomore at BSU to wear a letter last season. She has skated in 73 career games and has amassed 48 career points (24-24—48) to rank ninth in program history averaging .66 points per game and fourth with .33 goals per game. She set career highs in points (28), goals (13) and assists (15) last season and is the first Beaver since Clair DeGeorge (2018-19) to record back-to-back 20-point seasons. She is the first Beaver since Kelly Hart (2003-07) to record 20 or more points in her first two seasons. Smith earned WCHA Scholar-Athlete and WCHA All-Academic Team accolades last season in her first year eligible.
 
Olivia Dronen is the lone defender for the Beavers to serve as a captain this season and wears the "A" for the first time in her collegiate career. She leads the Beavers' defensive corps with 103 career games played and has amassed 11 points (3-8—11) from the blueline in three seasons with the Beavers. She returns a team-best three career goals from the blueline. Dronen is a two-time WCHA All-Academic Team selection.
 
Talya Hendrickson dawns the "A" for the first time in her collegiate career. She stands fourth among returners with 101 career games played and has totaled 17 points (5-12—17) as a Beaver. She is coming off a 2025-26 season where she registered five points (1-4—5) in 29 games. Hendrickson is a two-time WCHA Scholar Athlete, WCHA All-Academic Team and AHCA All-American Scholar.
 
Autumn Cooper joins Smith as a junior captain in 2026-27 for the Beavers and wears the "A" for the first time in her collegiate career. She has scored six points (3-3—6) in her two seasons as a Beaver and is coming off scoring a career-best two goals in 24 games in 2025-26. In her first season eligible, Cooper earned WCHA Scholar-Athlete and WCHA All-Academic Team accolades last season and is an AHCA All-American Scholar.
 
For more information on the Bemidji State women's hockey program, tickets or schedules, visit BSUBeavers.com, follow the Beavers on X or Instagram, or like them on Facebook.
 
Located on the shore of Lake Bemidji, Bemidji State University sponsors 15 varsity athletic programs with NCAA Division I men's hockey membership in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association and women's hockey membership in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, while its 13 NCAA Division II programs hold membership in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC).
 
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