SYRACUSE, NY – Oswego senior defender Kate Randazzo (Ancaster, Ontario, Canada/Burlington Barracuas) has been selected the 2020 Northeast Women’s Hockey League Scholar Athlete of the Year.
This marks the third straight year Randazzo has claimed the award after earning the inaugural honor in 2018 and repeating as the winner in 2019. In fact, Randazzo is the only NEWHL player to ever win the honor.
The Scholar Athlete of the Year award is nominated and voted upon by the athletic communication directors from the NEWHL and is based on a combination of success in the classroom and in the arena of competition.
The NEWHL announced the winner on Friday, March 27, from its league office in Syracuse, N.Y.
A biology major with a 3.98 grade point average, Randazzo was named NEWHL All-Conference Second Team as a defender this season for the Lakers after compiling 17 points on three goals and 14 assists.
The All-NEWHL selection was the third straight for Randazzo who was named First Team in 2018 and Second Team last year.
In 2018, Randazzo was awarded the inaugural NEWHL Elite Academic Award for boasting the highest grade point average among all participating student-athletes at the NEWHL Championship. She repeated as the Elite Academic Award winner in 2020 during this year’s league championship contest.
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Oswego freshman forward Megan Teachout (Auburn, NY) has been selected the 2020 Northeast Women’s Hockey League Rookie of the Year and is one of six players to land on the NEWHL’s All-Rookie Team.
Teachout earned Rookie of the Year honors for being the player who received the most points during voting for the NEWHL All-Rookie Team. She received four out of a possible six first-place votes. The NEWHL All-Rookie Team is voted upon by the head coaches of the conference and was announced by the league on Wednesday, March 4, from its office in Syracuse, N.Y.
Teachout has amassed 28 points on 13 goals and 15 assists while compiling a +7 rating and scoring four power play goals. She has a pair of game-winners and is currently ranked eighth in scoring in the NEWHL. Teachout also is tied for sixth in goals scored and tied for 11th in assists.
NEWHL All-Rookie Team · F Ivy Boric (Plattsburgh) · F Dany Donegan (Cortland) · F Alana McDonald (Morrisville) · F Kaylee Merrill (Potsdam) · F Megan Teachout (Oswego) – Rookie of the Year · D Kendall Wasik (Plattsburgh)
The Elmira Junior Enforcers, proud member of the USPHL Premier Division, have announced the hiring of Cody Murphy as head coach for the team’s inaugural season. Murphy brings a wealth of experience to Elmira, having competed in the USHL for the Tri-City Storm and Cedar Rapids Roughriders before playing 4 years of NCAA Division 1 hockey at Miami University of Ohio, where he earned a degree in sports leadership and management as his team made multiple NCAA Tournament appearances. The Highwood, Illinois native participated in the Washington Capitals training camp in 2015. He then went on to a successful pro hockey career, playing in Sweden’s top division for 4 seasons after a brief stint with the ECHL’s Reading Royals.
Cody has coached at the U-16 level in Illinois, and has conducted numerous clinics and individualized hockey training programs. He will scout and recruit for the Junior Enforcers from Chicago until he relocates to the area in August. Cody remarked – “I’m honored to be selected as head coach and to set the tone for the organization moving forward. I couldn’t be more excited to take on the challenge and develop young hockey players into young men. Under my leadership my main focus will be development, hard work, and winning. Working alongside GM Ray Welsh and the ownership group our first year will be a great experience and together, we will make Elmira into a powerhouse. It begins now, who is with us? Go Junior Enforcers!”
General Manager Ray Welsh declared – “Cody Murphy is the perfect fit to be the organization’s first head coach because of his commitment to developing these young men on and off the ice. We are truly excited by the energy he brings to the organization.”
The Junior Enforcers roster will be made up of players ages 20 and under from all across North America and the world. The Junior Enforcers look forward to an exciting and successful season, which will start in late August with training camp, and will see the puck drop for the season on September 25th. Tryout information will be communicated as
soon as it is finalized due to the fluid situation resulting from the Coronavirus pandemic.
More exciting news, including players signings and staff announcements coming next week. For further information and inquiries regarding Elmira Junior Enforcers hockey please contact Andy Ritter, Junior Enforcers Media Director, at info@jrenforcers.com
By Janet Schultz, NYHOL; Photos from file of NYHOL
Feature Photo is Savannah Rennie facing off with Lindenwood at the 2019 CHA finals in Buffalo.
2020 NWHL Draft Recap
The one sports league that seems to be functioning in a somewhat normal mode is the National Women’s Hockey League.
While the League didn’t have their Isobel Cup Finals due to the Coronavirus they used the final standings to determine the 2020 Draft and held that Draft on April 28 and 29 via Twitter, as they have done in the past.
Commissioner Dani Rylan invited sports celebrities to make the announcements from the safety of their homes. A thrill for Buffalo to see former Sabre Pat LaFontaine announce the Beaut #1 choice for 2020.
So with that said let’s take a look at the new NWHL players.
Boston traded the new expansion team, Toronto, for the first pick and chose from Boston University Forward Sammy Davis. Davis is a native of Pembroke, Massachusetts and was the 2019 Beanpot MVP. She led the Boston Terriers in goals with 37, added in 24 assists for 41 points in her senior year. She was named Hockey East All-Star and has never went three straight games without a point.
Davis served as assistant captain for Team USA U18 taking the gold at the 2015 IIHF Women’s World Championship. She played four seasons at Tabor Academy and took the John Carleton Award given by the Boston Bruins for exceptional hockey skills and academic excellence. She also played for the Bay State Breakers.
The Connecticut Whale had the second overall pick and chose Kayla Friesen, a forward from Clarkson University. Coming from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Friesen played a key role in her lone year with the Knights. She was their fourth leading scorer, even though she was out for nine games due to injury. In 28 games played she had 10 goals and 30 assists. Prior to Clarkson she spent three seasons at St. Cloud/Minn of the WCHA where she had 50 points in 103 games.
Prior to college Friesen played for St. Mary’s Academy of Winnipeg and was a member of Team Canada U18 and Team Manitoba. She is the daughter of former NHL player, Rob Friesen.
The Buffalo Beauts had the third pick and named Carly Jackson, a goalie from the University of Maine, to their roster. Jackson, a native of Amherst, Nova Scotia, is the winningist goalie in the history of U of Maine, making the most waves in history at 3,029; 45 wins in goal, the highest save percentage at .918; the lowest goals against at 2.15 and 10 record shutouts.
Jackson played for the Cumberland Blues of the NSJHL and took the silver at the U18 IIHF Women’s World and gold with Team Nova Scotia at the Atlantic Challenge Cup. She works as the social media/IT coordinator for Basketball Nova Scotia.
Saroya Tinker, a defender, was selected by the Metropolitan Riveters as the fourth overall draftee. Tinker is a graduate of Yale and a native of Oshawa, Ontario. She played in all 32 games as a Senior scoring a goal and 11 assists, as well as her 100th collegiate career goal. She was named to the Nutmeg Classic All Tournament Team, was a member of U18 Team Canada that won silver at the 2016 U18 IIHFf Women’s World and was assistant captain of the Durham West Junior Lightning.
Tinker also won gold with Canada at the 2017 World Ball Hockey Federation Championship. She served as team captain at Monsignor Pau Dwyer Catholic for three years and was Team MVP in 2013-14 and 2014-15. She also played basketball, soccer, track and field, badminton, lacrosse, ultimate frisbee and curling in high school, serving as captain, receiving MVP awards in several of those sports. She is recognized for her organization of “Inside Ride” which raises money for children with cancer. She also has been involved with World Vision since 2004 sponsoring a child from Nepal.
The Minnesota Whitecaps stayed close to home when they chose Forward Alex Woken from the University of Minnesota. The Fargo, North Dakota, native attended Shattuck St. Mary’s and played on their USA National Championship U19 team. She finished there with 188 points (103 goals/85 assists).
At U of Minn she was named WCHA Student Athlete of the Year, WCHA Scholar Athlete and WCHA All Academic Team honoree while serving as assistant captain of the team. She was fifth on the team with a career high 32 points this season and is one of 15 Gophers to play in all 36 games. She also tied for Team Leader in Power Play goals at 4 and second the team with a .193 scoring percentage (16 goals on 38 shots).
Toronto had the final pick , and their first-ever pick, in the first round and choose Forward Jaycee Gebhard from Robert Morris College. Gebhard was the leading scorer for Robert Morris, beating records she set in her junior year including most points at 63, beating the 51 she set last season; 43 assists, beating the 32 she set last season. She has been named Player of the Month by the CHA twice and Player of the Week, twice. She is also a First Team All CHA honoree.
Gebhard, of Plenty, Saskatchewan, served as assistant captain of U18 Team Canada in 2014-15, was JWHL Player of the Year in 2014 and was AAA Midget Rookie of the Year in 2011.
The Connecticut Whale opened Round 2 by selecting Victoria Howran of the University of New Hampshire. The defender is a native of Bancroft, Ontario and is a graduate of North Hastings High School. She was named to Hockey East All Academic Team in her freshman year and has a history of blocking shots on a regular basis. She was eight in blocked shots in her freshman year with 25; fifth in her sophomore year with 42 and had 57 in her senior year.
Howran was a member of the U18 Team for Ontario that won the gold.
Toronto’s second draftee in team history is Amy Curlew of Cornell University. The Forward comes from Goose Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador. With the Big Red she had 24 career goals; 46 assists for 50 points in 121 games played. Curlew played for the Oakville Hornets of the Provincial Womens Hockey League, Team Nova Scotia/Labrador and four years at Appleby College. She also played soccer.
Buffalo selected Codie Cross, a defender from Northeastern University who posted 62 points, the 11th most All-Time as a Defender. She posted a Team-High 76 blocks while recording 4 goals and 12 assists. In her freshman year she was named to the WHEA All Tournament Team and was named ProAmbitous Rookie of the Week; sophomore year attended the Canadian National Camp and was named to Hockey Canada 2018 Nations Cup Roster and in her junior year was named to Hockey East All Academic Team. In her Big Red career she played in 134 games posting 12 goals, 50 assists for 60 points on 132 shots.
She attended Edge School, Warner Hockey School and was named Top Defenseman and to the Second Team Junior Women’s Hockey League (JWHL). She majored in business.
The Riveters selected Boston College Forward Delaney Belinskas. A native of Port Orange, Florida, Belinskas played four seasons at Williston Northampton School, posting 106 points in four years. At BC last season she had 20 goals and 6 assists in 35 games.
Once again the Minnesota White Caps stayed close to home and took Patti Marshall from the University of Minnesota. The defender comes from Thief River Falls, Minn. and is a WCHA All Academic Team honoree. She served as Team Captain in her senior year and posted a goal and 9 assists while taking third overall in blocked shots at 44. Marshall played for Shattuck St. Mary’s where she was on the teams that took the 2013, 2014, 2016 USA National Championships at U19. She was a member of Team USA U18 playing in three IIHF Women’s Worlds with gold in 2015 and 2016 and took part in three USA Hockey Women’s National Festivals.
The final selection in Round 2 went to Boston who selected from the University of Maine, Tereza Vanisova. The Forward is from Strakonice, Czech Republic where she played boys hockey before playing for HC Slavia Prague Women’s Team. She played for the Czech National Team since she was 13 years of age and then attended the Ontario Hockey Training Institute. She was named Co-Rookie of the Year in 2017; named to Second Team All Hockey East in 2018 and was the All Time Leader in Assists with 66 in her senior year at U of Maine. She is also the second All Time U of Maine in scoring with 63 career goals.
Third Round:
Savannah Rennie playing in the CHA finals in Buffalo
The Whale choose first with Connecticut selecting Savannah Rennie from Syracuse University. The Forward is from East St.Paul Manitoba and played at Shaftesburg Titan Prep for four years.
The Buffalo Beauts had the second selection with Autumn MacDougal from the University of Alberta. The Forward was introduced as the “only professional hockey player to come from Cole Harbor, Nova Scotia.” She is described as a “talented offensive weapon who creates chances.”
Toronto selected Erin Locke, a forward from York University born in Toronto. She played for the Etobicoke Junior Dolphins of the PWHL and was Team Captain at York. Her brother, Eric, was drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in 2013.
The Metropolitan Riveters selected Tera Hoffman, a goalie from Yale and a native of Toronto. She went into the record books at Yale by posting 6 shutouts, fifth overall; and 1,904 saves, seventh best overall. She also played at Ursula Franklin Academy.
Minnesota had the 17th overall selection and took Presley Narby, a forward from the University of Wisconsin and native of Minnetonka, Minnesota.
Taylor Wenczkowski of the University of New Hampshire was selected by Boston as the final choice in Round three of the NWHL Draft. The Forward comes from Rochester, New Hampshire.
Round 4:
Connecticut selects Amanda Conway, Norwich University, a forward. Hometown: Methuen, Mass. Played for the Boston Shamrocks of the JWHL.
Buffalo: Kelly O’Sullivan of Adrian College. Defender from Inverness Illinois who played for the Chicago Mission. She is a four-time All-American Athlete and is said to play at a high level. In 31 games this past season she had 14 goals and 21 assists; had the second-best plus/minus record at +27; was named to First Team AHCA/CCM All American Athlete and NCHA All Conference and All Academic Team.
Metropolitan Riveters: Forward Bridgette Prentiss from Franklin Pierce College and a native of Buffalo, New York. She played for Nichols School in Buffalo and in 31 games played at FP she had 190 goals and 26 assists on 125 shots with one hattrick.
Toronto: Forward Natalie Marcuzzi of Robert Morris. She is from Thornhill, Ontario and played for the MIssissauga Junior Chiefs. She has experience from playing in both CHA Tournaments.
Minnesota: Haley Mack, a Forward, from Bemidji State. The East Grand Forks, Minn. native is a WCHA Scholar Athlete and played for the Minnesota Revolution Junior Team from 2014 to 2016.
Boston: Clarkson University’s Taylor Turnquist a defender from Blaine, Minn.
Nicole Guagliardo playing for Lindenwood at the 2018-29 CHA finals in Buffalo
Connecticut: Forward Nicole Guagliardo from Adrian College who also played for Lindenwood and Mercyhurst in her collegiate career. She is from Hoffman Estates, Illinois and was named AHCA All American and NCHA All Conference in 2020.
Logan Land at RIT last season
Buffalo: Logan Land from Rochester Institute of Technology. A Defender who comes from Turkey Point, Ontario and played for the Burlington Barracudas. In her RIT career she had 10 goals and 17 assists in 112 games. This was Buffalo’s final pick in the 2020 NWHL Draft.
Connecticut: Maddie Bishop, a forward from Sacred Heart. She served as co-captain this season and was named First Team All NEWHA after an 11 goal/19 assist season. She is fourth in the NEWHA in assists.
Minnesota: Maddie Rowe from the University of Wisconsin. The defender was a member of the 2019 National Championship Wisconsin Team and also played for St.Croix Valley Tusin. She is a recipient of the Molly Engstrom Award for Top Female Defender.
Boston had the final two picks of the evening and chose Meghara McManus, a forward from the University of New Hampshire and Paige Capistran a defender from Northeastern.
McManus comes from Milton, Mass. and in 36 games had 17 goals and 10 assists leading the team in points and goals.
Capistran is from Manchester, New Hampshire and was the recipient of the 2020 Hockey East Sportsmanship Award. She served as captain in her senior year.
The next step for this athletes is signing contracts with the NWHL for the upcoming season.
AMERKS AGREE TO TERMS WITH FORWARD DOMINIC FRANCO ON ONE-YEAR AHL CONTRACT
Army forward led Black Knights in scoring each of the past three seasons
(Rochester, NY) – Rochester Americans General Manager Randy Sexton announced today that the team has agreed to terms with Army forward Dominic Franco on a one-year American Hockey League contract for the 2020-21 season.
Franco, 24, recently completed his senior season at West Point, leading the Black Knights in scoring for the third straight year with 23 points (10+23) in 33 games while serving as an assistant captain. His best season came during the 2017-18 campaign when he paced all Army skaters with a career-high 30 points as a sophomore while also leading the team with six multi-point games.
A native of Portsmouth, R.I., Franco enjoyed a breakout season a freshman in 2016-17, ranking third on the team with 22 points (9+13) in 34 games, earning him a selection to the Atlantic Hockey Association All-Rookie Team.
In 141 career games with Army, the 6-foot-5, 218-pound forward amassed 97 points on 45 goals and 52 assists.
OSWEGO, NY — The Oswego State Women’s Hockey team announced their 2020-21 captains. Philomena Teggart and Aislinn McAleerwill be the captains of the Lakers next season.
Both players will be seniors next season and will be playing in their 4th season with the program. Philomena Teggart, the 5’ 7” defenseman from Pickering, Ontario, Canada, has 37 career points (12 goals & 25 assists) in 78 career games played over the past three seasons.
This past year, Teggart finished third on the team in points and led defenseman with 21 points (9 goals & 12 assists).
Aislinn McAleer, the 5’ 4” forward from Manasquan, New Jersey, has played in 60 career games and has recorded 6 points (2 goals & 4 assists) in the past three seasons. The forward recorded a goal and one assist last season, the goal coming against SUNY Cortland in a 3-2 win.
These two players look to lead the Lakers in another successful season as the group were runner-up in the NEWHL conference this past season. WTOP 10 will continue coverage on Oswego State Athletics into the summer as the start of the fall sports season looms overhead.
Hasek makes 31 saves through regulation, one more than Brodeur. But the Devils outshoot the Sabres 35-20 through three overtimes and take the first four shots in the fourth extra period. However, Hannan takes a pass from Jason Dawe and lifts a backhand shot through traffic that goes past Brodeur’s glove. It sends the series to a seventh game in New Jersey that’s almost as good; the Devils win 2-1 to advance.
10 TEAMS REPRESENTED, INCLUDING FOUR TEAMS WITH MULTIPLE PLAYERS NAMED
The United States Hockey League (USHL) announced Thursday the All-USHL First, Second, and Third teams for the 2019-2020 season. The All-USHL teams are represented by 10 of the 16 USHL Member Clubs, including the Dubuque Fighting Saints (5), Chicago Steel (3), Omaha Lancers (2) and Sioux Falls Stampede (2) with multiple members on the teams.
The First Team is backed by Dubuque Fighting Saints netminder Erik Portillo, who led USHL netminders with a 2.11 goals against average and was third in save percentage (0.915) and fourth in wins (19). Portillo, a Swedish netminder and Buffalo Sabres prospect (2019, Round 3, 67 overall), is committed to University of Michigan and finished his first season in the USHL with a 19-5-1-0 record in 27 appearances, including two separate four-game winning streaks.
On the backend are Owen Power (Chicago Steel) and Mitchell Miller (Tri-City Storm). The defensemen finished first and tied for third, respectively, in USHL defensive scoring this season. Power, a University of Michigan prospect, finished with 40 points (12-28-40) in 45 games. The 2021 NHL Draft-eligible defenseman is in his second season in the USHL and registered a career-high two goals and three points on February 26 this season. Miller, committed to University of North Dakota, had 33 points (8-25-33) in 44 games this season with the Storm. The Sylvania, Ohio native registered multiple points in nine of 11 games from January 14 to February 22, finishing with 22 points (6-16-22) in that span. Miller was ranked 49th among North American skaters in the final NHL Central Scouting rankings ahead of the 2020 NHL Draft.
The forward class includes Dubuque’s Reise Gaber, Chicago’s Brendan Brisson and Alexander Campbell of the Omaha Lancers. Gaber, who is eligible for this year’s Draft, finished tied for 8th in the USHL with 55 points (34-21-55), just six points behind the league’s leading scorer. The University of North Dakota commit now has 105 points (56-49-105) in 108 career regular season games, finishing as the Saints Tier-I leading goal scorer. Brisson, a USHL rookie, finished the season with 59 points (24-35-59) in 45 games, which was second in the league. The University of Michigan commit finished as the 20th ranked North American skater according to NHL Central Scouting after registering three-separate four-point games. Campbell rounds out the forwards as the Nashville Predators prospect (2019, Round 3, 65 overall) posted 57 points (18-39-57) in 46 games this season. The 57 points was tied for fifth in the league, in the middle of Brisson, Gaber and six other Fighting Saints and Steel players. The Clarkson University commit registered a 13-game point streak (8-14-22) from January 24 to February 23, including six multi-point games.
Sioux Falls Stampede netminder Jaxson Stauber was named to the Second Team All-USHL squad after returning to the Stampede from Minnesota State University, where he appeared in one game. The Providence College commit, who was named the 2019 Clark Cup Final MVP, appeared in 24 games this year with a 14-6-2-2 record and a league-best 0.918 save percentage.
The Second Team defensemen include Mason Lohrei (Green Bay Gamblers) and Nash Nienhuis (Omaha Lancers). Lohrei, an Ohio State University commit, posted 37 points (8-29-37) in 48 games this season, which was second among defensemen in the league. The Verona, Wis. native was ranked #132 among North American skaters in the final NHL Central Scouting final rankings. Nienhuis, who is committed to Michigan State University, also finished in the top-10 of defensive scoring with 32 points (2-30-32) in 44 games this season. The USHL veteran came over to the Lancers midway through his third season with the Muskegon Lumberjacks, finishing his USHL career with 51 points (4-47-51) in 154 regular season games.
On the offensive side of things, the Second Team includes Mathieu De St. Phalle (Chicago), Trevor Kuntar(Youngstown Phantoms) and Dylan Jackson (Dubuque). De St. phalle finished the season with a league-leading 60 points (30-30-60), leading an offensively stacked Chicago roster that finished with five of the top seven USHL point getters this season. The University of Wisconsin commit is 2020 NHL Draft eligible and finished his Steel career with 107 points (42-65-107) in 100 regular season games after joining the team midway through last season. Kuntar, a Harvard University commit, proved the third time is the charm, finishing his third season with Youngstown with 53 points (28-25-53) in 44 games. The Williamsville, N.Y. native posted 93 points (49-44-93) in 148 USHL games, all with the Phantoms, and was ranked #143 among North American skaters according to the final NHL Central Scouting rankings. Jackson was part of another offensively-stacked team in Dubuque, finishing the 2019-20 campaign with 55 points (21-34-55) in 48 games. The Northeastern University commit is 2020 NHL Draft eligible and registered 99 points (34-65-99) in 110 games over the last two seasons with the Fighting Saints.
Third Team netminder Christian Stoever finished fifth in the USHL with a 0.912 save percentage in 37 combined games with the Madison Capitols and Des Moines Buccaneers. The Northville, Mich. native closed the season on a three-game winning streak with a 0.954 save percentage, including stopping 88 of the 90 shots he faced in back-to-back wins over the USA Hockey National Team Development Program in the final matchups of the year.
Braden Doyle (Dubuque) and Jordan Power (Lincoln Stars) are the Third Team defensemen for the 2019-20 season. Doyle, a Boston University commit, finished the season with 32 points (7-25-32) after appearing in five games for the Fighting Saints last year and being selected by the Los Angeles Kings (2019, Round 6, 157 overall) in the 2019 NHL Draft. Power, the Stars captain, put up 33 points (4-29-33) in his second season in Lincoln. The Clarkson University commit appeared in 101 games with the Stars over the last two seasons, notching 51 points (7-44-51) over that time.
Dubuque’s Ty Jackson leads the forward group of the Third Team All-USHL squad as his 58 points (17-41-58) tied for third in the USHL scoring. The Northeastern University commit, and twin brother of Second Team forward Dylan Jackson, put together a great pair of USHL seasons, culminating in 98 points (32-66-98) in 110 career games. Muskegon forward Danil Gushchin finished the season ranked #41 among North American skaters after posting 47 points (22-25-47) in 42 games. The Russian forward collected 14 points (8-6-14) in a five-game point streak from October 11 to November 1, 2019. Rounding out the forward group is the Sioux Falls Stampede’s Sam Stange. The University of Wisconsin commit and Eau Claire, Wisc. native is ranked #110 among North American skaters according to NHL Central Scouting’s final rankings after picking up 45 points (26-19-45) in 48 games this season, including four games (2-1-3) with the Stampede after being acquired from the Sioux City Musketeers.
Chicago, Ill. – The United States Hockey League (USHL) announced the 2019-20 individual player awards, including Goaltender of the Year, Erik Portillo of the Dubuque Fighting Saints.
Portillo, a Buffalo Sabres Prospect, was awarded USHL Goaltender of the Year after an outstanding campaign that featured a league-best 2.11 goals against average, third-best 0.915 save percentage, and fourth-best win total (19).
The University of Michigan commit finished the 2019-20 season with a 19-5-1-0 record and only lost back-to-back games once all season. The Swedish netminder stopped all 16 shots he faced on February 8 for his lone shutout of the season.
Portillo also had 19 appearances with two-or-fewer goals allowed, twice recorded four-game winning streaks, and had six multiple-game winning streaks this season.
Buffalo Signs Star Defender Marie-Jo Pelletier to New Deal
BROOKLYN – The Buffalo Beauts have re- signed defender Marie-Jo Pelletier, a Dalhousie, New Brunswick native who had an exceptional rookie season in the NWHL. Pelletier was named one of the NWHL Fans’ Three Stars of the Season and was selected to play in the 2020 All-Star Game.
Playing in all 24 regular season games, Pelletier went 6-15-21 for the Beauts. Her 21 points set a team record for defenders. Her 15 assists tied teammate Iveta Klimášová for most helpers in a season by a Buffalo skater. Her heroics were acknowledged by the women’s hockey media, which named her a finalist for the Newcomer of the Year Award.
“The NWHL has given me the opportunity to continue playing the game professionally and to be involved within the Buffalo community,” said Pelletier. “The fans in Buffalo have truly made me feel at home. The support around the league is incredible and I cannot wait to see what the sixth season will bring.”
During her first season, Pelletier assisted The Teacher’s Desk, a not-for-profit organization providing free school supplies, books and teacher resources for 250 schools in Western New York. Known for her shot-blocking skills, Pelletier arranged to have money donated to The Teacher’s Desk for each shot she blocked during the season.
The 4-11 defender was so highly regarded at the University of New Hampshire that she was voted a team captain by the end of her freshman season and remained a captain until the end of her collegiate career. In 143 games at UNH, the 4-11 defender had 13 goals and 39 assists for 52 points.
“MJ is the queen of blocking shots and is the entire package on and off the ice,” said Buffalo GM Mandy Cronin. “She is the pride of the Buffalo Beauts and we are so happy to have her back next season.”
BROOKLYN – The 2020 National Women’s Hockey League Draft will be unveiled live on Twitter on Tuesday, April 28 and Wednesday, April 29 beginning each night at 7 p.m. ET.
The first two rounds of the draft will be presented on Tuesday, and the final three rounds will be announced on Wednesday. The six NWHL teams competing next season will participate: Boston Pride, Buffalo Beauts, Connecticut Whale, Metropolitan Riveters, Minnesota Whitecaps, and the new expansion team in Toronto, which was introduced yesterday.
Players interested in joining the NWHL and being considered for the 2020 draft and contracts for the 2020-21 season continue to register at nwhl.zone/free agency. Draft selections will be players who completed their collegiate careers earlier this year. Once the draft reveal is over each night, teams may begin contract discussions with their selections.
Toronto has been granted the first overall selection, and then will have the second pick in the second round, third in the third, fourth in the fourth, and fifth pick in the fifth round. All other slots are based on the 2019-20 regular season standings. Prior to the opening of the draft on Tuesday, teams have the opportunity to complete trades.
“As the NWHL continues to showcase women’s hockey and its remarkable players, we recognize that the draft is a cherished and important moment in a professional athlete’s career,” said NWHL Deputy Commissioner/Director of Player Development Michelle Picard. “We hope everyone joins us on Tuesday and Wednesday as we announce the drafting of 30 players and celebrate their achievements and their college programs. We know that many of these players will have important roles on their NWHL teams in the upcoming season, and we look forward to the launch of their professional hockey careers.”
Order of Selection:
Round 1: Toronto, Connecticut, Buffalo, Metropolitan, Minnesota, Boston
Round 2: Connecticut, Toronto, Buffalo, Metropolitan, Minnesota, Boston
Round 3: Connecticut, Buffalo, Toronto, Metropolitan, Minnesota, Boston
Round 4: Connecticut, Buffalo, Metropolitan, Toronto, Minnesota, Boston
Round 5: Connecticut, Buffalo, Connecticut*, Minnesota, Toronto, Boston
*pick acquired from Riveters in Maria Sorokina trade
The Watertown Wolves of the FPHL are excited to announce Brent Clarke as our new Head Coach for the 2020/2021 Season. Most recently with the Elmira Enforcers, Clarkie brings a wealth of FPHL experience back to Watertown, where he was behind the bench for the team’s first Commissioners Cup win in 2015.As the current season ended, Brent and the Enforcers had won 10 straight games, and 21 out of the last 24, and had several players performing at the top of the individual standings.
“As our search for a coach narrowed, Clarkie stood out as the strongest candidate. He has many years of experience coaching successfully in the Fed, solid relationships to be able to consistently bring in new players when needed, and probably most importantly he has a track record of winning consistently. His dedication to building strong teams and getting the most out of his players really made him stand out to me during this process. I have said from day one that my biggest ambition is to be able to bring the great fans of Watertown a championship winning hockey team again, and getting an elite coach like Brent will help us get there”, said Andreas Johansson, Owner of the Wolves.
Brent became a fan favourite during his first stint in Watertown, and has become rooted locally as well, living with his family in Alexandria Bay, making the Wolves an ideal landing spot for him.
“First off, I would like to thank Andreas for this great opportunity, ” Clarke stated. “I am really excited to be back behind the Wolves’ bench again, having made some great memories here during our Championship-winning season in 2015. I remember we had a great team on the ice and the fans were just amazing throughout.
I plan on bringing an exciting style of hockey back to Watertown, something that embodies the spirit of the town and something our fans can really rally behind.
Recently, my family and I have also settled down in the area, which will make our pursuit of the cup even more exciting this time around.”
