News File Photo Alpena resident Emma Gentry is seen visiting Ella White Elementary School in this photo from January 2020 after winning the Gold Medal with Team USA in the U18 Women’s World Championship.

Emma Gentry, a resident of Alpena, has signed a national letter of intent to attend St. Cloud (Minnesota) State University and play NCAA DI ice hockey for the Huskies.

Gentry joins the Huskies after playing for the 19U HoneyBaked Hockey team in the 2019-20 season, where she notched 50 goals and 26 assists (76 points) in 50 games. In the 2018-19 season, Gentry tallied 71 goals and 34 assists for a 105-point season in 65 games for the Meijer AAA Hockey 19U team.

Gentry has attended the USA Hockey Girls National Player Development Camp in 2017 and 2018. In 2019, she attended the USA Hockey U18 Select Player Development Camp, as well as the USA Hockey U18 Women’s National Festival in Lake Placid, New York. Most recently, Gentry helped the U.S. claim gold at the 2020 IIHF Under-18 Women’s World Championships.

In Bratislava, Slovakia during the semifinal game, Gentry tallied a goal in Team USA’s 3-0 win against Russia. Gentry appeared in all five games.

Gentry stated, “After visiting St. Cloud, it reminded me a lot of home. I loved the rink and campus, it has many programs that I am interested in studying as well. I was able to stay at St. Cloud throughout my summers at National Camp. Being able to stay in the dorm, eat at the cafeteria, and play on the rink all made me realize that St. Cloud was where I wanted to attend and play hockey.”

“Emma is an elite scorer who possesses a rare combination of size, strength, and elite skill. She has a proven track record of scoring at a high level, and we anticipate Emma having an immediate impact as a Husky. We are thrilled to have Emma join the Husky family,” says Head Coach Steve Macdonald.

Emma is the daughter of Natalie and Wesley Gentry. She has one sister, Tori.

Her intended major at St. Cloud State is Recreation and Sports Management with an Athletic Coaching Minor.

St. Cloud State is located approximately one hour northwest of Minneapolis-St. Paul on the scenic banks of the upper Mississippi River in the city of St. Cloud. Founded in 1869, St. Cloud State enrolls more than 11,000 students.

An NCAA Division I affiliate, SCSU is a member of the always rugged Western Collegiate Hockey Association.