The Connecticut Whale is a professional women's ice hockey team based in Stamford, Connecticut. It is one of the four charter franchises of the National Women's Hockey League (NWHL). Its name and colors are an homage to the former NHL and WHA franchise known as the Hartford Whalers.
Video Connecticut Whale (NWHL)
History
For their first season, the Whale played home games in Stamford, Connecticut at Chelsea Piers. Chris Ardito was hired as the first general manager in franchise history, while Jake Mastel and Lisa Giovanelli coached the team. The team is the second professional hockey team to bear the Connecticut Whale name, following the American Hockey League team previously and currently known as the Hartford Wolf Pack.
Among their off-season acquisitions, the Whale signed Kaleigh Fratkin to a contract on July 1, 2015. She was the first Canadian player to sign a contract in the NWHL.
The team made its debut in the 2015-16 season. Jessica Koizumi was named first team captain in franchise history. The first game in NWHL history was a sell out on October 11, 2015 between the New York Riveters and Connecticut Whale. The Whale prevailed by a 4-1 tally as Jessica Koizumi scored the first goal in both franchise and NWHL history. In the same game, Kelli Stack had one goal and two assists, becoming the first player to record a multi-point performance. Whale goaltender Jaimie Leonoff was credited the win, capturing the game's First Star. Stack was recognized as the Second Star, and Kelly Babstock, who became the first Canadian-born player to score a goal in an NWHL regular season game, was acknowledged as the Third Star.
The Whale won their first three games in franchise history with three different goalies. In the first game, the Whale prevailed with Jaimie Leonoff, while former Quinnipiac goaltender Chelsea Laden captured the second win, and Nicole Stock played her first game in over five years to capture the third win on the road against the New York Riveters.
Prior to the team's second season, the Whale moved to the Northford Ice Pavilion in Northford, Connecticut. This lasted one season as the Whale moved to the Terry Conners Ice Rink at Cove Island Park in Stamford, Connecticut, for the 2017-18 season.
On August 20, 2018, the Whale named active player Cydney Roesler an assistant coach for the 2018-19 season making her the first player-coach in franchise history.
Maps Connecticut Whale (NWHL)
Team
Current roster
Updated September 26, 2018
Draft history
Hannah Brandt from the Univ. of Minnesota program became the first player in franchise history to be selected in the inaugural 2015 NWHL Draft. Raised in the state capital of Albany, New York, Picard was also the first defenseman selected in NWHL Draft history.
NWHL Draft
The following were the Whale's selections in the 2015 NWHL Draft on June 20, 2015.
The following were the Whale's selections in the 2016 NWHL Draft on June 18, 2016.
The following were the Whale's selections in the 2016 NWHL Draft on August 17, 2017.
Franchise milestones and statistics leaders
- See also: List of Connecticut Whale records
As of the 2016-17 season:
References
External links
- Official website
Source of article : Wikipedia
0 Comments