BURLINGTON, Vt. – The University of Vermont women's hockey program announced the incoming class set to join the Catamounts for the 2020-21 season.
 
The signees are Jessie McPherson (Chatham, Ont.), Natálie Mlynková (Zlin, Czech Republic), Bella Parento (Montpelier, Vt.), and Maddy Skelton (Isanti, Minn.)
 
"This is an exceptional recruiting class for us with impact players at all positions," head coach Jim Plumer said. "This group embodies all of the qualities that we have been striving for over the past years - world class athletes, serious students, and great character. Our entire staff has worked tirelessly to identify the right kind of student-athletes for our program and I believe that this group will fit in immediately with our on-ice persona and our great team culture off the ice. I cannot wait to have them join us in the fall."
  
Jessie McPherson | G | Chatham, Ont. | Cambridge Rivulettes 
McPherson joins the Catamounts after three consecutive seasons with the Cambridge Rivulettes. The 5'9" netminder posted a .945 save percentage and a 1.27 goals against average in 14 games last season. Her GAA ranked third in the Provincial Women's Hockey League while her SV% ranked fourth. McPherson earned a silver medal with Team Canada in the 2019 IIHF Women's U18 World Championship.
 
Natálie Mlynková | F | Zlin, Czech Republic | HTI Stars
Mlynková brings several years of competing on the international stage to Vermont's offensive unit. The forward has represented the Czech Republic in 71 games, whether on the national team or U18 team. In 2019, Mlynková led the Czech Republic at the IIHF Women's Word Championship with three goals and was named one of Team Czech Republic's Top 3 Players. She has spent the last three seasons with the HTI Stars in Ontario. She posted 76 points (43 goals, 33 assists) with the Stars last season and will join former teammate Tynka Patková. Mlynková has also played with UVM goaltender Blanka Škodová and former captain Sammy Kolowrat '19 while representing the Czech Republic.
  
Bella Parento | D | Montpelier, Vt. | Kimball Union Academy
Parento returns to her home state after attending Kimball Union Academy. At KUA, Parento served as captain and was named to the NEPSAC All-League teams in 2019 and 2020. Prior to her time at KUA, Parento skated for U-32 High School and earned All-State First-Team honors with a 27-goal, 13-assist campaign as a defenseman in 2017. Parento played for the Vermont Shamrocks in 2018 and 2019 and skated in the national finals. Her Boston Junior Eagles team in 2020 was championship bound. Listed at 5'5", the Montpelier native is the lone blueliner among the signees.
 
Maddy Skelton | F | Isanti, Minn. | North Wright County
Skelton becomes the fourth Minnesota native on the Vermont roster when she joins the Catamounts in the fall. The 5'6" right-shooting forward posted 34 points last season for North Wright County High School. In her 2018-19 campaign, Skelton tallied a career-high 55 points (27 goals, 28 assists) for Cambridge-Isanti High School.
 
The Windjammer and Upper Deck Pub is the presenting sponsor of the UVM women's hockey program.