We may be in the heart of the off-season, but free agency is in full-swing as NWHL teams prepare for the league’s third season. Here are some of the headlines from the last few weeks in the NWHL.
Kelley Steadman Retires
The Buffalo Beauts’ Kelley Steadman is calling it a day as a professional hockey player. Kelley, 26, helped the Beauts lift the Isobel Cup last season, and has also won a silver medal representing Team USA at the Sochi Winter Olympics. She has also won three gold medals in the IIHF World Women’s Championships.
Steadman isn’t hanging up her skates just yet, the two-time NWHL All-Star is heading back to her alma mater; the Mercyhurst Lakers where she’ll be taking up her new role as an assistant coach to a whole new generation.
Beauts Bolster Roster
As free agency continues, the Beauts have announced that both Kourntney Kunchika and Lisa Chesson have been re-signed. This is a big deal for Buffalo as Kunchika and Chesson were both part of the 2016/17 cup-winning roster. Forward Kunchika scored 16 points in 18 games, blue-liner Chesson scored three assists in eight games according to NWHL.zone. Buffalo has also signed two rookies, Taylor Accursi and Kathy Donohoe both came from Mercyhurst.
Pride Poach Connecticut’s Pick
Northwestern’s forward Paige Savage was drafted 15th overall by the Connecticut Whale in 2016 has instead opted to sign with the Boston Pride. Savage has already represented the USA in the U18 World Championships and scored 106 points in 149 games for Northwestern. This is a big signing for the Pride, who’ll be looking to repeat 2016’s Isobel Cup success.
Boston Sign Laing
Harvard goalie Brianna Laing, sister of Denna Laing has been signed by the Boston Pride. This marks the first time that sisters have played in the league. Right now Laing is the Pride’s number one tendy, as Brittany Ott is still to re-sign.
FYI
The NWHL Draft is on August 2017. Keep those peepers peeled for a report coming soon.