Ohio State Buckeyes Women’s Hockey Sends Five Players to 2026 USA Hockey Women’s National Festival in Lake Placid

Ohio State women’s hockey continues to make its mark on the national stage. Five Buckeyes student-athletes have been invited to the 2026 USA Hockey Women’s National Festival, set for August 2-9 in Lake Placid, New York.

The prestigious event brings together top college and under-18 players as part of the evaluation process for U.S. Collegiate and Under-18 Select Teams that will compete against Canada later in August.

Five Ohio State Players Selected for 2026 USA Hockey Women’s National Festival

The Buckeyes’ contingent includes a strong mix of experience and rising talent:

• Rylee Bartz – Forward, Senior
• Kassidy Carmichael – Forward, Sophomore
• Ellah Hause – Defense, Senior
• Kaia Malachino – Forward, Senior
• Jordyn Petrie – Forward, Junior

These five players represent Ohio State among the 46 college athletes invited to the festival. Their selection highlights the depth and national recognition of the Buckeyes’ roster under the program’s continued success in the WCHA.

What the USA Hockey Women’s National Festival Means

Held at the Olympic Center in Lake Placid, the festival serves as a key evaluation camp. Players compete in practices and scrimmages while USA Hockey staff assesses talent for future national team opportunities, including the Collegiate Select Team series against Canada.

For Ohio State, sending five players underscores the program’s development pipeline and the individual excellence of its athletes. It also reflects the growing strength of women’s hockey at the collegiate level and the Buckeyes’ consistent presence among the nation’s top programs.

Ohio State Women’s Hockey National Stage Momentum

The invitations arrive as the Buckeyes continue building on recent conference and national success. Having multiple players recognized by USA Hockey reinforces the culture of high-level competition and player development that defines the program.

Fans can expect these five athletes to gain valuable experience against elite competition before returning to campus for the 2026-27 season. Their performances in Lake Placid could further elevate both individual profiles and the team’s national profile.

Congratulations to Rylee Bartz, Kassidy Carmichael, Ellah Hause, Kaia Malachino, and Jordyn Petrie. The Buckeyes are headed to Lake Placid and the rest of the hockey world will be watching