The IX: Hockey Friday with The Ice Garden, Dec. 13, 2024
Wisconsin coach Mark Johnson (center) and the Badgers women's hockey team follow the action in their national semifinal against Colgate at Whittemore Center Arena in Durham, New Hampshire on Friday March 22, 2024. (Photo credit: Mark Stewart | Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | USA TODAY NETWORK)
Congratulations folks, we made it to the end of the week and it’s finally Friday! My name is Alyssa Turner from The Ice Garden and I’m back bringing you today’s Hockey Friday. For this week’s edition, I wanted to shine some light on one of hockey’s brightest young stars.
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If you don’t know the name Nela Lopušanová yet you’re going to know all about her soon. Nela Lopušanová is a 16-year old Slovakian phenom who first went viral for hitting the ‘Michigan’ back in 2023. She was 14 at the time for those keeping track at home. When I was 14 I could barely stand on my own two feet without losing my balance.
During the 2023 U18 Women’s World Championship she not only scored the goal of the year, but she also put up impressive numbers as she had nine goals and 12 points in her five games played with Slovakia. She would go on to be named the Top Forward and MVP of the tournament. Her stat line took a heavy dip during the 2024 tournament but she also made the move to North America, where she now plays club AAA hockey at Bishop Kearney. Last season Nela recorded 25 goals and 47 points in 30 games.
Nela Lopušanová had 2 goals (around 6 seconds apart) today for @BKSelectsGirls 19U in 3-0 win over Pens Elite.
Goal scorers for BK: Finley McCarthy Nela Lopušanová Nela Lopušanová
Earlier this week Nela Lopušanová made her senior national team debut for Slovakia in an Olympic qualifying game. In the first 16 minutes of the game Lopušanová had a hat trick and finished the game with four goals and an assist in the 8-1 win over Kazakhstan.
Not only did she make her impact on the scoresheet, she pulled off the ‘Michigan’ once again almost two years after she did it the first time.
Amazing Nela Lopušanová : 📌 16 years old 📌 1st official game with senior Team Slovakia 🇸🇰 📌 Hat trick after 16 minutes of the game 📌 4 goals / 5 points 📌 And (once again) a Michigan goal 👇
The young Slovakian star will join the likes of many hockey greats to play Division I hockey at Wisconsin. Hailey Salvian of The Athletic reported that Lopušanová will begin playing for the Badgers in 2026.
