Kolstad coming home

North Dakota made the stunning, budget-slashing decision last month to drop it's women's hockey program. That left several players twisting in the wind, wondering what their future in the sport will be. One player already has announced her intention to move on, though.

Mankato native Rebekah Kolstad will come home and play her final two seasons of hockey at Minnesota State. She signed with MSU on Monday before returning to Grand Forks, N.D., for the remainder of her semester.

Kolstad has played in every game over two seasons with the Fighting Hawks but saw a big jump in her point production this past season. At 5-foot-10, she will add some significant size to the Mavericks' lineup.

Kolstad said it's not an easy time for players to transfer. Many schools' rosters are fairly full, as are their scholarship commitments. Minnesota State did have space and money for her, she said. Could more North Dakota players end up at MSU? Kolstad wasn't sure, but she hoped so.

North Dakota's move leaves the WCHA with seven teams. The Fighting Hawks were 16-16-6 and in fourth place in the league last season. The Mavericks were eighth at 7-26-4.

North Dakota also cut men's and women's swimming in order to control costs at a time when the university is in some financial trouble. Minnesota State, on the other hand, appears committed to women's hockey. The upgrades to the Verizon Center facility, which included equal space for men and women, are just two years old. And, recently, MSU athletic director Kevin Buisman said that recent commitments made to men's coach Mike Hastings for in cost-of-attendance aid for players and other improvements would also benefit the women's team.