X75 Productions

Category: Women’s Hockey

  • NWHL News and Notes – October 9th, 2019

    NWHL News and Notes – October 9th, 2019

    Today in the NWHL there were a pair of announcements including a free agent signing.

     

    Today the Boston Pride announced that they have signed All Star forward Emily Fluke for the 2019-20 season.

    Emily Fluke.jpg

    For more on Fluke’s signing with the Pride please read Shaggy’s report on the signing.

     

    The Minnesota Whitecaps have announced that they will be doing their Banner Raising on Saturday, October 12th before they take on the Metropolitan Riveters.

     

    The Whitecaps banner raising and game will precede the Minnesota Wild’s home opener against the Pittsburgh Penguins later that night. The Wild are supporters of the Whitecaps and provide far ranging support including having the Whitecaps play all of their games and hold all of their practices at TRIA Rink, and with their extensive resources the Wild support the Whitecaps with marketing, promotions, communications, social and digital media, community relations, and so much more.

     

    All players will partake in the 50 percent cut of revenue from league sponsorship and media deals. Plus they will also receive 15 percent of revenue from apparel sold with their name on it.

     

    *Graphics courtesy of the NWHL.

     

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  • Former Whale Captain Signs With Boston

    Former Whale Captain Signs With Boston

    The big news coming from the NWHL today, former Connecticut Whale Captain Emily Fluke has signed with the Boston Pride.

    The Pride have added a really good player. On top of being an NWHL All Star last year for the Whale, in the 16 games that she played, she scored 3 goals and added 8 assists for 11 points for the season. She also added a playoff goal in a game against the Riveters.

    Emily Fluke

    (Photo Credit: Matthew Raney)

    Plus, she was a premier player in her rookie year too! In the 16 games she played that season, she scored 4 goals and added 7 assists for 11 points. She lead the team that year in every major offensive category!

    So in total, Fluke has played 32 regular season games in the NWHL, she has 7 goals and 15 assists for 22 points in 2 seasons.

    (Check out her Elite Prospects page: https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/571095/emily-fluke)

    Emily Fluke2

    (Photo Credit: Michelle Jay)

     

    To the Captain, Leader, Legend of the Whale, I want to wish you the best of luck on your upcoming season with Boston. I am happy to see that you are back for Season 5, so that you can continue to inspire and help #GrowTheGame.

     

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  • NWHL Weekend Recap – Game Recaps & News

    NWHL Weekend Recap – Game Recaps & News

    Welcome to the TXHT NWHL Weekend Recap for the Weekend of Saturday, October 5th and Sunday, October 6th, 2019, plus news coming out of the weekend.

     

    Saturday, October 5th, 2019

    Game #1 – Buffalo Beauts v. Connecticut Whale

    • The Beauts would get goals from three different scorers as they would down the Whale in their home opener at Danbury Arena 3-1 in what was a tightly contested matchup.
      • Lenka Curmova would score the first goal of the season for both the Beauts and the NWHL. Curmova becomes the first Slovakian to score in the NWHL.
      • Curmova’s goal was also the first powerplay goal of the season, and her first career NWHL goal.
      • Beauts would also get goals from Brooke Stacey (first career NWHL goal), and Corinne Buie (empty netter).
      • The Whale’s lone goal would come from Grace Klienbach.
      • In net Mariah Fujimagari would make 29 saves on 30 shots for the Beauts for her first career NWHL win, while Sonjia Shelly would make 13 saves on 15 shots for the Whale in her first career NWHL game.
      • Shaggy’s TXHT Game Recap

     

    Game #2 – Boston Pride v. Metropolitan Riveters

    • In a game that had three 5 on 3 opportunities, the Pride would get a pair of goals from Jillian Dempsey to lead them past the Riveters 4-2.
      • The Pride would also get goals from Tori Sullivan (first career NWHL goal), and McKenna Brand (empty netter).
      • The Riveters would get goals from Kendall Cornine (first career NWHL goal) and Collen Murphy (powerplay goal, first career NWHL goal).
      • The Pride would have one 5 on 3 opportunity, while the Riveters had two attempts with the 5 on 3 woman advantage.
      • In net Lovisa Selander would make 23 saves on 25 shot for her first career NWHL win for the Pride, and Sam Walther would make 36 saves on 39 shots in her Riveters debut.
      • Michael’s TXHT Game Recap

     

    News and Notes

    • The Bridgeport Sound Tigers of the AHL and the Connecticut Whale announced that on February 22nd, 2020 that the Sound Tigers will be hosting the first ever AHL and NWHL doubleheader with the Whale.

    Whale-Tigers

    • Per the release, on Saturday, February 22nd at Webster Bank Arena, the Whale will host the Boston Pride in NWHL action at 2p ET, then at 7p ET the Sound Tigers will host the Hershey Bears. The Sound Tigers are also offering a combined ticket for both games in the Sound Tigers/Whale doubleheader for $25 which are available for purchase now.

     

    Player of the Week

    • Buffalo Beauts defender Lenka Curmova has been named the first VEDA NWHL Player of the Week for season 5 of the NWHL.

    Lenka Curmova POTW 1

    • Curmova became not only one of the first two Slovakian born players to appear in an NWHL, but she also is the first Slovakian to score a goal in the NWHL. Cumova would be named the VEDA Player of the week not only for the history that she made, but also for her all around play in the Beauts 3-1 victory over the Whale on Saturday, October 5th.

     

    * All Graphics Courtesy of the NWHL.

    *Photo of Lenka Curmova by Bryan Johnson Photography.

     

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  • Beauts Win Season Opener

    Beauts Win Season Opener

    The NWHL season kicked off this past weekend, and it was the Buffalo Beauts facing off against the Connecticut Whale in the opener. After a very spirited contest, it was the Beauts getting the two points at the end of the game with a 3-1 victory.

    Before the game started, there was a special ceremony in which, the mayor of Danbury, CT came out to center ice and performed a ceremonial puck drop.

    As for the game itself, it was a very penalty filled first period. There were six penalties called (4-2 Beauts in that department). However, it would be the Buffalo Beauts who would take the lead on a power play goal from Lenka Curmova. Assists on the play were from Marie-Jo Pelletier and Corinne Buie.

    (Two things about this tweeted photo: the new arena is nice, and the new jerseys are fantastic!)

    In the second period, things started to settle down, the Whale would get an equalizing goal about half way through the second period. The goal was scored by Grace Klienbach, with the assists coming from Sarah Hughson and Elena Orlando.

    After some intense action in the third period, with lots of great back and forth action, and the goalies seemingly settled into the game. It would be the Buffalo Beauts scoring a late game winning goal with about four minutes left in the game. The goal was scored by Brooke Stacey with the assists coming from Ashley Birdsall and Iveta Klimasova. About three minutes later, Corinne Buie would seal the win with an empty netter, Taylor Accursi would nab an assist on the play.

    The goaltending for the Beauts was Mariah Fujimagari, she faced 30 shots and made 29 saves. The goalie for the Whale was Sonjia Shelly, she faced 15 shots and made 13 saves.

     

    The next set of games that the Connecticut Whale play, will be on Saturday October 19th and Sunday October 20th. The game will be in Buffalo at their new facility, Northtown Center. The puck drop will be at 1130a for the 19th, and 130p on the 20th.

     

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  • Whale and Beauts Set To Kick Off Season 5

    Whale and Beauts Set To Kick Off Season 5

    The NWHL is set to kick off a new season this weekend. This will be the league’s fifth season!

    There is a spirited match up ahead where the Connecticut Whale will be hosting the Buffalo Beauts in their season opener. The game will be taking place in the Whale’s new facility, Danbury Arena.

    This will be the second year in a row that the Whale will be hosting the Beauts to kick off the season. Last year, at Terry Conners Rink, the Beauts defeated the Whale by a final score of 4-0.

    Puck drop on the new Whale season will be this Saturday at 230p in Danbury, CT.

    There was also huge Whale news today:

    Congrats are in order for Shannon Doyle, Elena Orlando, and Jordan Brickner!!

    Cetacean Nation got the drop on a PTO signing for the Whale:

     

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  • 2019-20 NWHL Previews – Minnesota Whitecaps

    2019-20 NWHL Previews – Minnesota Whitecaps

    2018-19 Record:  12-4-0 24pts   1st Place in the NWHL

    Playoffs: Isobel Cup Champions

     

    Key Additions: G – Allie Morse, F – Stephanie Anderson, F – Audra Richards

     

    IMG_20190729_124222

     

    2019-20 Preview:

    The Minnesota Whitecaps are entering the 2019-20 NWHL season as the defending Isobel Cup Champions and will be looking to make more history as they set their sights on becoming the first team to win the Isobel Cup in back to back seasons and also becoming the first ever two time Isobel Cup Champions. With the majority of their core team returning for the 219-20 season and with the addition of forward Audra Richards from the Metropolitan Riveters, the Whitecaps will certainly be the team to beat.

     

    The Whitecaps will also have some new faces in their lineup and seeing how they will fit in will determine how the Whitecaps will come out of the gate to start the season, but with the veterans they have, and the culture they have that shouldn’t be too much of an issue for this team.

     

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  • NWHL News and Notes – October 3rd, 2019

    NWHL News and Notes – October 3rd, 2019

    Today in the NWHL we had a major announcement come from the new ownership of the Boston Pride as they have officially announced their new team President.

     

    Pride owner Miles Arnone has announced that Hayley Moore has been hired as team President.

    Hayley Moore
    Photo Credit – Michelle Jay

    With today’s move Moore becomes the third female president of a major professional hockey team in the United States. Moore follows in the footsteps of Marguerite Norris-Riker (Detroit Red Wings during the 1950s), and Kim Pegula (currently with the Buffalo Sabres).

     

    “Hayley Moore is one of the most respected people in women’s hockey today, and the Boston Pride organization is fortunate to have someone with her experience and strong business acumen serving as our top executive. With her infectious enthusiasm, commitment to women’s hockey, and her strong relationships in the community, with the staff, and with the players, Hayley is the perfect person to lead the commercial and hockey operations of the Pride.”

    – Miles Arnone

     

    Today the NWHL also announced a partnership with American Giant.

    American Giant

    American Giant is now the official apparel sponsor for the NWHL with this new partnership. The two will collaborate on gear for the NWHL’s youth hockey initiatives. American Giant will also be the exclusive outfitter for all NWHL players nationwide with  complete sets of team branded warmup and leisure gear.

     

    *Graphics courtesy of the NWHL.

     

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  • 2019-20 NWHL Previews – Metropolitan Riveters

    2019-20 NWHL Previews – Metropolitan Riveters

    2018-19 Record:  4-12-0 8pts   4th Place in the NWHL

    Playoffs: Lost in Semi-Finals to Whitecaps

     

    Key Additions: G – Sam Walther, F – Bulbul Kartanbay, F – Tatiana Shatalova, D – Collen Murphy

     

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    2019-20 Preview:

    Heading into the 2019-20 NWHL season the Metropolitan Riveters will have familiar leaders in Rebecca Morse, Madison Packer, and Lexi Slattery along with new faces like Collen Murphy (played for the Connecticut Whale last season), BulBul Kartanbay, Cailey Hutchison, and Sam Walther to help round out this season’s squad. Walther (who played for the Whale last season as well) will be looked to defend the Riveters goal this season along with Dana DeMartino after the departures of Kimberly Sass and Katie Fitzgerald.

     

    Also just like with the Buffalo Beauts, the Riveters will also be debuting a new coach in Ivo Mocek who will look to take this team that finished with four wins last season, and turn them back around to the Isobel Cup Champions they were in 2018.

     

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  • NWHL News and Notes – October 2nd, 2019

    NWHL News and Notes – October 2nd, 2019

    Today in the NWHL there were several announcements made by the league.

     

    Starting with the first announcement and that is that in addition to the Twitch Broadcasts for the 2019-20 season the Goalie Guild, lead by owner Justin Goldman and popular writer Cat Silverman, will be providing goaltending analysis during select games this season on Twitch.

    There are plans that will see this initiative also feature a weekly goalie specific stream which will see The Goalie Guild break down the top saves from around the league and participate in Q&A sessions with the NWHL fans.

     

    Today the league also announced that they are partnering up with the consulting group Girsch Sports.

    The New York based company will be bringing their expertise to help the NWHL deliver world class fan experiences to professional women’s hockey. Girsch Sports will be supporting activities for the league and all five NWHL teams with their primary focus being on technology, sponsorships, and game presentation.

     

    The NWHL also announced that Kelly Cooke will be returning for her fourth season as Ditrector of the NWHL Player Safety Committee.

    Cooke, a member of the inaugural Isobel Cup winning Boston Pride, will be joined by by NCAA and USA Hockey official Alicia Hanrahan, 2014 US Olympian Josephine Pucci, ECHL VP of Hockey Operations Joe Ernst, and longtime women’s hockey coach Bobby Jay. The NWHL Player Safety Committee has the ability to suspend players and issue warnings.

     

    Lastly it was announced that the Metropolitan Riveters have named their leadership group for the 2019-20 season.

    Riveters Leaders

    The Riveters have named original NWHLer and Riveter Madison Packer as captain with Rebecca Morse and Cailey Hutchison as her assistant captains this season. Packer, a three time all star and 2018 Isobel Cup Champion with the Riveters, enters this season as the team’s all time leader in goals and points.

     

    “Every season is a new opportunity. It’s a new group, a new coach, basically a new everything. It’s a good opportunity for us to wipe the slate clean.”

    — Madison Packer

     

    *Graphics courtesy of the NWHL.

     

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  • 2019-20 NWHL Previews – Connecticut Whale

    2019-20 NWHL Previews – Connecticut Whale

    2018-19 Record:  2-12-2 6pts   5th Place in the NWHL

    Playoffs: Lost in First Round to Riveters

     

    Key Additions: F – Emma Vlassic, F – Kendra Broad, G – Cassandra Goyette

     

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    2019-20 Preview:

    Shaggy’s Questions For The Season

    Who will step up and be the leader for the team?

    As of this article, the Whale still have some players they need to sign. However, the Whale roster is full of some returning players and a lot of rookies. The head veterans on the team are Elena Orlando and Shannon Doyle. Which one of them is going to step up and be the leader of the locker room?

     

    How will the team adjust to the new coaching staff?

    Last years coaching staff was Ryan Equale and Cydney Roesler, they are now gone. The current coaching staff is ex-NHLer Colton Orr and former Whale goalie Laura Brennan. The team will have to adjust to a new playing style, and how long will that adjustment take?

     

    Who will be the starting goalie for the Whale this season?

    The Whale will start off the new season with three new goaltenders on the roster: Cassandra Goyette, Sonjia Shelly, and Brooke Wolejko. All three goalies have previous NCAA experience. There certainly will be some good competition to see who the number one is going to be.

     

    The Whale will be playing at a new rink this season. They are going to be playing at Danbury Arena in Danbury, CT. The first game of the season will be the home opener against the Buffalo Beauts at 230p EST on October 5th

     

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