Vanessa Upson

Last updated

Vanessa Upson
Born (2003-11-18) November 18, 2003 (age 22)
Stoney Creek, Ontario, Canada
Height 5 ft 5 in (165 cm)
Position Forward
Shoots Left
PWHL team Minnesota Frost

Vanessa Upson (born November 18, 2003) is a Canadian ice hockey forward for the Minnesota Frost of the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL).

Contents

She played college ice hockey for the Mercyhurst Lakers from 2021 to 2025, totaling 147 points in 148 games. Upson was selected in the fifth round, 38th overall, by the Minnesota Frost in the 2025 PWHL Draft.

Early life

Upson is from Stoney Creek, Ontario. She played youth hockey with the Stoney Creek Sabres (OWHL U22) and multi-sport in high school. Her youth highlights include OMHA gold and bronze medals with the Hamilton Jr. Bulldogs, an Esso Cup bronze medal in 2019, and participation with Team Ontario at the Ontario Summer Games. She was also invited to a Hockey Canada U18 summer camp. [1]

Playing career

College

As a freshman in 2021–22, Upson led Mercyhurst with 39 points (19 goals, 20 assists) in 35 games and was named USCHO National Rookie of the Year and CHA Rookie of the Year. She earned All-CHA First Team and CHA All-Rookie Team honors, and was selected to the USCHO All-Rookie Team. [2] [3] [4]

She posted 28 points (16 goals, 12 assists) in 37 games as a sophomore in 2022–23. [5] In 2023–24 she recorded 37 points (17 goals, 20 assists) in 38 games, earned CHA All-Tournament Team honors, won the conference’s Individual Sportsmanship Award, and tied a CHA postseason single-game record with five points in a semifinal game. [1] [6] [7]

As a senior in 2024–25, after the CHA transitioned to Atlantic Hockey America (AHA), Upson led Mercyhurst with 43 points (13 goals, 30 assists) in 38 games, topping the league in assists. She was named First Team All-AHA and the league’s January Player of the Month. [8] [9] [10]

Professional

On June 24, 2025, the Minnesota Frost selected Upson with the 38th pick in the 2025 PWHL Draft. [11] Following pre-season training camp, she signed a one-year contract with the Frost prior to the 2025–26 season. [12]

Career statistics

Regular season Playoffs
Season TeamLeagueGP G A Pts PIM GPGAPtsPIM
2021–22 Mercyhurst University CHA 351920398—————
2022–23 Mercyhurst UniversityCHA3716122812—————
2023–24 Mercyhurst UniversityCHA381720378—————
2024–25 Mercyhurst University AHA 381330434—————
NCAA totals148658214732—————

Source: College Hockey Inc.; HockeyDB; Mercyhurst Athletics. [5] [13] [14] [1]

Awards and honours

HonourYear
College
USCHO National Rookie of the Year2022 [2]
CHA Rookie of the Year2022 [3]
All-CHA First Team2022 [3]
CHA All-Rookie Team2022 [15]
USCHO All-Rookie Team2022 [4]
CHA Individual Sportsmanship Award2024 [1]
CHA All-Tournament Team2024 [1]
First Team All-AHA2025 [16]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Vanessa Upson – 2024–25 Roster & Bio". Mercyhurst University Athletics. Retrieved October 9, 2025.
  2. 1 2 "Mercyhurst's Vanessa Upson is USCHO's 2022 Rookie of the Year". USCHO.com. April 1, 2022. Retrieved October 9, 2025.
  3. 1 2 3 "Upson Claims CHA Rookie of the Year". Mercyhurst University Athletics. February 23, 2022. Retrieved October 9, 2025.
  4. 1 2 "2021–22 All-USCHO Teams". USCHO.com. April 1, 2022. Retrieved October 9, 2025.
  5. 1 2 "Vanessa Upson – Career Statistics". College Hockey Inc. Retrieved October 9, 2025.
  6. ↑ "Athlete Awards: Vanessa Upson (Feb. 26, 2024)". Atlantic Hockey America. February 26, 2024. Retrieved October 9, 2025.
  7. ↑ "2023–24 Mercyhurst Statistics". College Hockey Inc. Retrieved October 9, 2025.
  8. ↑ "Atlantic Hockey America Announces 2024–25 Women's All-Conference Teams". Atlantic Hockey America. February 26, 2025. Retrieved October 9, 2025.
  9. ↑ "AHA Players of the Month – January 2025". Atlantic Hockey America. February 4, 2025. Retrieved October 9, 2025.
  10. ↑ "Penn State Hosts AHA Championship vs. Mercyhurst". Penn State Athletics. March 7, 2025. Retrieved October 9, 2025.
  11. ↑ "Mercyhurst's Vanessa Upson Drafted 38th Overall in 2025 PWHL Draft". Mercyhurst University Athletics. June 25, 2025. Retrieved October 9, 2025.
  12. ↑ "Minnesota Frost Announce 2025-26 Roster". thepwhl.com. November 20, 2025. Retrieved November 20, 2025.
  13. ↑ "Mercyhurst Women 2024–25 – Roster and Statistics". HockeyDB. Retrieved October 9, 2025.
  14. ↑ "Mercyhurst Women 2023–24 – Roster and Statistics". HockeyDB. Retrieved October 9, 2025.
  15. ↑ "2022 All-CHA Teams & All-Rookie Team". USCHO.com. February 22, 2022. Retrieved October 9, 2025.
  16. ↑ "2024–25 All-AHA Teams". Atlantic Hockey America. February 26, 2025. Retrieved October 9, 2025.
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