National Women’s Hockey League holds inaugural draft

By @MichaelCaples –

While the NHL is gearing up for their annual draft, the league that plans to be the top hockey destination for women just conducted their own.

The National Women’s Hockey League held their first-ever draft over the weekend, as the four founding member clubs took turns drafting players about to enter their senior year of college.

“This was a historic moment for women’s hockey and the enthusiasm from the hockey community was amazing,” said commissioner Dani Rylan on the league’s official website.

There were 20 players selected in the inaugural draft, which was held at the Bright-Landry Center on Harvard University’s campus. Boston College’s Alex Carpenter – who led Team USA in goals in the Sochi Olympics – was selected No. 1 overall.

Here are the players drafted in the inaugural NWHL draft, along with the team they were selected by – the Boston Pride, the Buffalo Beauts, the Connecticut Whale or the New York Riveters:

Round 1
1. Alex Carpenter, F, Boston College (RIVETERS)
2. Hannah Brandt, F, Minnesota (WHALE)
3. Kendall Coyne, F, Northeastern (PRIDE)
4. Courtney Burke, D, Wisconsin (BEAUTS)

Round 2
5. Haley Skarupa, F, Boston College (RIVETERS)
6. Michelle Picard, D, Harvard College (WHALE)
7. Emerance Maschmeyer, G, Harvard College (PRIDE)
8. Sarah Lefort, F, Boston University (BEAUTS)

Round 3
9. Erin Ambrose, D, Clarkson University (RIVETERS)
10. Milica McMillen, D, Minnesota (WHALE)
11. Lexi Bender, D, Boston College (PRIDE)
12. Amanda Leveille, G, Minnesota (BEAUTS)

Round 4
13. Dana Trivigno, F, Boston College (RIVETERS)
14. Maryanne Menefee, F, Minnesota (WHALE)
15. Miye D’Oench, F, Harvard College (PRIDE)
16. Emily Janiga, F, Mercyhurst (BEAUTS)

Round 5
17. Kimberly Newell, G, Princeton (RIVETERS)
18. Cassandra Poudrier, D, Cornell (WHALE)
19. Shannon MacAuley, F, Clarkson University (PRIDE)
20. Jenna Dingeldein, F, Mercyhurst (BEAUTS)

For more info on the NWHL, visit their official website here.