Former Methuen High star Brooke Harb dreamed, since childhood, of taking on the best women’s college hockey has to offer, on the sport’s biggest stage.
Stonehill College offered exactly that opportunity.
“This year, Stonehill played against Boston College and (the No. 2-ranked team in the country) Ohio State!” said Harb. “Having the opportunity to play against the best has always been a dream of mine — and to play the game that I love for as long as I can and at the highest level I can.”
Having recently closed out another stellar year as the captain for prep power Cushing Academy, Harb has committed to play her college hockey at Division 1 Stonehill (Easton, Mass.), starting in the 2026-27 season. The Skyhawks also faced the No. 7 team in the country, Penn State, and three other teams ranked in the top-30 in Division 1 this winter.
“I’m really excited to continue playing hockey for another four years at a great school like Stonehill,” said Harb, who noted Colby was another finalist. “Coach Lee-J (Mirasolo) is very passionate and energetic and that is the type of coach I want to play for. I know playing against the best will be a big challenge, and I just want to continue to work hard so that I’m ready for that challenge.”
Harb — who was an Eagle-Tribune All-Star playing for the Methuen/Tewksbury co-op team in 2021 — made her college choice while leading Cushing Academy (Ashburnham, Mass.) to a record-setting year.
This past winter as a junior, Harb scored 15 goals and added 10 assists, helping Cushing to a 24-8-1 record and a trip to the NEPSAC Elite Eight — where she scored both Penguins goals in a loss to Loomis Chaffee. She also scored a crucial goal in the championship game of the elite Watkins Tournament, which Cushing won.
“(Harb has) gained the trust of her teammates of all years,” said Cushing coach Valerie Bono-Bunker. “She has the ability to balance being a fierce athlete and a compassionate teammate. Her aggressive style of play and relentless determination make her a formidable opponent. We expect her to contribute with her greatness again starting this offseason. It’s been an absolute pleasure coaching her and watching her develop as a player, leader, and person over the last four years and we get to do it for one more!”
Since joining Cushing, Harb has tallied 35 goals and 27 assists. That after recording nine goals and 17 assists as an eighth grader for Methuen/Tewksbury.
“Every year I just try to work hard to improve all parts of my game,” she said. “As a forward, everyone goes through stretches where they score a lot and then some games where they don’t. My goal is always to play my best and produce in the most important games, to help our team get to the next level.
“I think I’m lucky that I’ve been a consistent goal scorer. But most importantly, I think that I see the ice well and I’ve always been able to find my linemates when they’re open and make good decisions passing the puck. I think that will be important for me as the game gets faster and faster in college.”
But before Stonehill, Harb has some unfinished business.
“Cushing has been such a memorable experience and we’re going to have a strong team returning next year,” she said. “With a big season, I could reach 100 points in my career. Most importantly, my goals are to lead our team to another Elite 8 appearance, win another Watkins Tournament, and hopefully win a hockey championship as a team!”
TWITTER: DWillisET