The University of Wisconsin women's hockey team will face former teammates on the other side of the rivalry next season.
Forward Maddie Wheeler will transfer to Ohio State for her final season of eligibility. The Buckeyes announced her contract on Thursday after she entered the transfer portal on April 22nd.
Wisconsin women's hockey average crowd size increases in 2023-24 for NCAA Tournament games
Wheeler will join Makenna Webster as former Badgers forwards playing for the Buckeyes. Webster left the Badgers after the 2021-22 season and played both field hockey and ice hockey at Ohio State University. Wisconsin does not have a field hockey team.
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Wheeler was ninth on Wisconsin's roster in 2023-24 with 28 points and eighth with 10 points. The Badgers defeated Ohio State for the Western Collegiate Hockey Association playoff title, but lost to the Buckeyes in the NCAA Championship Game.
She played as a third-line left winger for most of her senior season. Wheeler has scored two of the Badgers' 24 goals against the Buckeyes, including her first goal on Nov. 28, 2020, in Columbus.
Goaltender Jane Gervais and defender Sophie Helgeson also entered the transfer portal in March after Wisconsin's season ended. Neither player has announced their destination for the 2024-25 season.
Photos: Wisconsin women's hockey takes on Ohio State in Frozen 4 title game
Wisconsin's Caroline Harvey, of Salem, N.H., hits Ohio State's Jen Gardiner during the first period of Sunday's NCAA Division I championship game at the Whitmore Center in Durham, N.H. Broke the pass.
Mark Bolton, Labor Leader
Wisconsin goaltender Eva McNaughton faces Ohio State's Hadley Hartmets and teammate Eva McNaughton during the first period of the NCAA Division I championship game at the Whitmore Center in Durham, New Hampshire, on Sunday. He made a save in front of Murphy.
Mark Bolton, Labor Leader
Wisconsin's Laney Potter defeats Ohio State's Jenna Brioni in the first period of the NCAA Division I Championship Game on Sunday at the Whittemore Center in Durham, New Hampshire.
Mark Bolton/Union Leader
University of Wisconsin's Eva Murphy poke-checks Ohio State's Kiara Zanon during the first period of the NCAA Division I Championship Game at the Whittemore Center in Durham, New Hampshire, on Sunday.
Mark Bolton, Labor Leader
Wisconsin's Lacey Eden and Ohio State's Stephanie Murkowski chase the puck during the first period of the NCAA Division I Championship Game on Sunday at the Whittemore Center in Durham, New Hampshire.
Stephen Sene, Associated Press
University of Wisconsin forward Britta Karl hits the ice following the puck from Ohio State forward Kelsey King during the first period of the NCAA Division I championship game at the Whitmore Center in Durham, New Hampshire, on Sunday.
Stephen Sene, Associated Press
Wisconsin's Kirsten Sims and Ohio State's Lauren Bernard chase the puck and crash into the boards during the first period of the NCAA Division I Championship Game at the Whitmore Center in Durham, New Hampshire, on Sunday.
Stephen Sene, Associated Press
Ohio State's Kenzie Hauswirth and Wisconsin's Laney Potter chase the puck during the first period of the NCAA Division I Championship Game at Whittemore Center in Durham, New Hampshire, on Sunday.
Stephen Sene, Associated Press
Wisconsin forward Kirsten Sims fails to score and Ohio State goaltender Raegan Kirk loses the puck during the second period of the NCAA Division I championship game Sunday at the Whittemore Center in Durham, New Hampshire. deflected.
Stephen Sene, Associated Press
Wisconsin goaltender Ava McNaughton deflects a shot during the second period of the NCAA Division I championship game Sunday at the Whittemore Center in Durham, New Hampshire.
Stephen Sene, Associated Press
Ohio State's Jenna Brioni and Wisconsin's Anna Wilgren battle for position during the second period of the NCAA Division I championship game Sunday at the Whittemore Center in Durham, New Hampshire.
Stephen Sene, Associated Press
Ohio State's Hadley Hartmets and Wisconsin's Kirsten Sims clash in the second period of the NCAA Division I Championship Game on Sunday at the Whittemore Center in Durham, New Hampshire.
Steven Senne, related coverage
Ohio State forward Joy Dunn celebrates with defenseman Lauren Bernard, 19, after Dunn scored in the third period against Wisconsin on March 24, 2024 in Durham, New Hampshire.
Stephen Sene, Associated Press
Ohio State forward Joy Dunn celebrates after scoring in the third period against Wisconsin on March 24, 2024 in Durham, New Hampshire.
Stephen Sene, Associated Press
Ohio State goaltender Raegan Kirk deflects the puck after Wisconsin forward Kirsten Sims fails to score in the second period on March 24, 2024 in Durham, New Hampshire.
Stephen Sene, Associated Press
Wisconsin goaltender Eva McNaughton deflects a goal attempt during the second period against Ohio State on March 24, 2024 in Durham, New Hampshire.
Stephen Sene, Associated Press
Ohio State forward Joy Dunn, left, celebrates after scoring a goal against Wisconsin goaltender Ava McNaughton in the third period on March 24, 2024 in Durham, New Hampshire.
Stephen Sene, Associated Press
Ohio State forward Sloane Matthews (left) and defenseman Emma Peschel celebrate with the NCAA women's championship trophy after defeating the University of Wisconsin on March 24, 2024 in Durham, New Hampshire.
Stephen Sene, Associated Press
Ohio State forward Olivia Mobley hits part of the net while celebrating her team's victory over Wisconsin during the NCAA women's college championship hockey game on March 24, 2024 in Durham, New Hampshire cut.
Stephen Sene, Associated Press
Ohio State University players celebrate after defeating the University of Wisconsin in the NCAA women's championship game on March 24, 2024 in Durham, New Hampshire.
Stephen Sene, Associated Press
Ohio State celebrates defeating Wisconsin in the NCAA women's college hockey championship game on March 24, 2024 in Durham, New Hampshire.
Stephen Sene, Associated Press
Ohio State goaltenders Quinn Kuntz (center left) and Amanda Thiele (center right) celebrate defeating the University of Wisconsin in the NCAA women's championship game on March 24, 2024 in Durham, New Hampshire.
Stephen Sene, Associated Press
