2017–18 NWHL season#Draft
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2025}}
{{Infobox sports season
| title = 2017–18 NWHL season
| league = National Women's Hockey League
| sport = Ice hockey
| logo = NWHL logo.svg
| duration =
| attendance =
| draft = 2017 draft
| top_pick = Katie Burt
| picked_by = Boston Pride
| season = Regular season
| season_champ_name=
| season_champs = Metropolitan Riveters
| MVP = Alexa Gruschow
| MVP_link =
| top_scorer = Alexa Gruschow
| top_scorer_link =
| playoffs =
| playoffs_link =
| conf1 =
| conf1_link =
| conf1_champ =
| conf1_runner-up =
| conf2 =
| conf2_link =
| conf2_champ =
| conf2_runner-up =
| finals = Isobel Cup
| finals_link = Isobel Cup
| finals_champ = Metropolitan Riveters
| finals_runner-up = Buffalo Beauts
| finals_MVP = Katie Fitzgerald
| nextseason_year = 2018–19
| prevseason_year = 2016–17
| seasonslistnames = NWHL
}}
The 2017–18 NWHL season was the third season of the National Women's Hockey League. All four teams from the previous two seasons returned for this season: the Boston Pride, Buffalo Beauts, Connecticut Whale, and the Metropolitan Riveters.
League news and notes
- In October 2017, the Russian women's national team participated in exhibition series, called the 2017 Summit Series, going 5–0 against the Pride, Riveters, and Whale.{{cite web |url=http://www.nwhl.zone/news_article/show/801159?referrer_id=2739439 |title=Russian Women’s National Team to Play Two Games Each Against the Boston Pride, Connecticut Whale and New York Riveters |date=June 7, 2017 |publisher=NWHLZone.com |access-date=June 8, 2017 |archive-date=June 13, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170613161622/http://www.nwhl.zone/news_article/show/801159?referrer_id=2739439 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.nwhl.zone/news_article/show/847393?referrer_id=2748687 |title=Riveters Blanked in Final Preseason Tuneup |publisher=NWHL |date=October 22, 2017 |access-date=November 20, 2017 |archive-date=January 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230124115800/http://www.nwhl.zone/news_article/show/847393?referrer_id=2748687 |url-status=live }} The Beauts played one game against the Chinese national team, which the Beauts won 4–2.{{cite web |url=http://www.nwhl.zone/news_article/show/833799?referrer_id=2739439 |title=2017 NWHL PRE-SEASON SCHEDULE SET |publisher=NWHL |date=September 15, 2017 |access-date=October 3, 2017 |archive-date=October 4, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171004084752/http://www.nwhl.zone/news_article/show/833799?referrer_id=2739439 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.nwhl.zone/news_article/show/842652?referrer_id=2748687 |title=Defending Isobel Cup Champs Start Preseason With an International Win |publisher=NWHL |date=October 9, 2017 |access-date=November 20, 2017 |archive-date=December 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201041729/http://www.nwhl.zone/news_article/show/842652?referrer_id=2748687 |url-status=live }}
- A Battle of the Sexes match was scheduled between the Buffalo Beauts and Buffalo Jr. Sabres 15U youth team for October 16 with the Jr. Sabres 15U winning 9–4.{{cite web |url=http://www.nwhl.zone/news_article/show/845282?referrer_id=2748687 |title=Beauts Wrap Preseason in Buffalo Showdown |publisher=NWHL |date=October 16, 2017 |access-date=November 20, 2017 |archive-date=December 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201035655/http://www.nwhl.zone/news_article/show/845282?referrer_id=2748687 |url-status=live }}
- On October 5, the New York Riveters partnered with the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League. The Riveters, having played in Newark, New Jersey, the previous season, rebranded as the Metropolitan Riveters.{{cite web |url=http://www.nwhl.zone/news_article/show/841027?referrer_id=2739439 |title=NEW JERSEY DEVILS ENTER FIRST OF ITS KIND AGREEMENT AND FORM MULTI-YEAR STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP WITH THE NWHL’S RIVETERS |publisher=NWHL |date=October 5, 2017 |access-date=October 6, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171006085413/http://www.nwhl.zone/news_article/show/841027?referrer_id=2739439 |archive-date=October 6, 2017 |url-status=dead }} As part of the partnership, the Riveters had their opening home game at the Prudential Center.
- On December 14, the NWHL announced that they are playing USA Hockey Women's National Team in Tampa Bay for two exhibition matches for January playing at the U.S. Women's National Team's training complex at Florida Hospital Center Ice.{{cite web |url=https://www.nwhl.zone/news_article/show/866670 |title=TEAM NWHL TO PLAY U.S. WOMEN’S NATIONAL TEAM IN FLORIDA ON JAN. 13 & 15 |author=NWHL Staff |date=December 14, 2017 |work=NWHL.zone |access-date=March 26, 2018 |archive-date=March 27, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180327084238/https://www.nwhl.zone/news_article/show/866670 |url-status=dead }}
- On December 21, the Buffalo Beauts were acquired by their landlord, Pegula Sports and Entertainment; Pegula owns several sports teams in the Buffalo area, including the NHL's Buffalo Sabres.{{cite web |url=http://buffalonews.com/2017/12/21/pegulas-add-the-buffalo-beauts-to-their-hockey-holdings/ |title=Pegulas add the Buffalo Beauts to their hockey holdings |author=Amy Moritz |date=December 21, 2017 |work=The Buffalo News |access-date=December 21, 2017 |archive-date=December 21, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171221171644/http://buffalonews.com/2017/12/21/pegulas-add-the-buffalo-beauts-to-their-hockey-holdings/ |url-status=live }}
=Head coaching and front office personnel changes=
==Head coaches==
| class="wikitable" |
| Team
! 2016–17 head coach ! 2017–18 replacement ! Notes |
|---|
| Boston Pride
| Thomas Pöck{{cite web |url=https://victorypress.org/2018/06/01/nwhl-coaching-landscape-changing |title=NWHL Coaching Landscape Changing |website=victorypress.org |date=June 1, 2017 |access-date=August 26, 2018 |archive-date=August 9, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180809152859/https://victorypress.org/2018/06/01/nwhl-coaching-landscape-changing/ |url-status=live }} | Former NHL player and Austrian-born Pöck became the first European coach in NWHL history. |
Regular season
=News and notes=
File:National Women's Hockey League (NWHL) All-Star Game (ASG) 2018 at TRIA Rink.jpg
Brittany Ott of the Boston Pride and Amanda Leveille of the Buffalo Beauts served as team captains for the 3rd NWHL All-Star Game.{{cite web|url= http://www.nwhl.zone/news_article/show/885343?referrer_id=2739439|title= Media Guide for the 2018 NWHL All-Star Game|publisher= NWHL.zone|access-date= February 14, 2018|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180215023350/http://www.nwhl.zone/news_article/show/885343?referrer_id=2739439|archive-date= February 15, 2018|url-status= dead}}
=Standings=
| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" | |||||||
| class="unsortable"|
! {{abbr|GP|Games played}} ! {{abbr|W|Wins}} ! {{abbr|L|Losses}} ! {{abbr|OTL|Overtime losses}} ! {{abbr|GF|Goals for}} ! {{abbr|GA|Goals against}} ! {{abbr|PTS|Points}} | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| bgcolor=
|align=left| Metropolitan Riveters | 16 | 13 | 3 | 0 | 64 | 30 | 26 |
| bgcolor=
|align=left| Buffalo Beauts | 16 | 12 | 4 | 0 | 51 | 41 | 24 |
| bgcolor=
|align=left| Boston Pride | 16 | 4 | 8 | 4 | 33 | 48 | 12 |
| bgcolor=
|align=left| Connecticut Whale | 16 | 3 | 11 | 2 | 26 | 55 | 8 |
Playoffs
{{4TeamBracket
| RD1 = Semifinal game
March 17–18
| RD2 = Isobel Cup Championship
March 25
| RD1-seed1 = 1
| RD1-team1 = Metropolitan
| RD1-score1 = 5
| RD1-seed2 = 4
| RD1-team2 = Connecticut
| RD1-score2 = 0
| RD1-seed3 = 2
| RD1-team3 = Buffalo
| RD1-score3 = 3(OT)
| RD1-seed4 = 3
| RD1-team4 = Boston
| RD1-score4 = 2
| RD2-seed1 = 1
| RD2-team1 = Metropolitan
| RD2-score1 =1
| RD2-seed2 = 2
| RD2-team2 = Buffalo
| RD2-score2 =0
}}
Awards and honors
- Alexa Gruschow, Metropolitan Riveters, 2018 NWHL Most Valuable Player{{cite web |url=https://www.nwhl.zone/news_article/show/899669?referrer_id=2739439 |title=2018 #NWHLAWARDS RECIPIENTS ANNOUNCED |website=NWHL.zone |date=March 20, 2018 |access-date=March 21, 2018 |archive-date=March 22, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180322020604/https://www.nwhl.zone/news_article/show/899669?referrer_id=2739439 |url-status=dead }}
- Alexa Gruschow, Metropolitan Riveters, 2018 NWHL Scoring Champion
- Jillian Dempsey, Boston Pride, 2018 NWHL Denna Laing Perseverance Award
- Courtney Burke, Metropolitan Riveters, 2018 NWHL Defensive Player of the Year Award
- Amanda Leveille, Buffalo Beauts, 2018 NWHL Goaltender of the Year
- Hayley Scamurra, Buffalo Beauts, 2018 NWHL Rookie of the Year{{cite web |url=http://buffalonews.com/2018/03/20/beauts-scamurra-named-nwhl-rookie-of-the-year/ |title=Beauts' Scamurra named NWHL Rookie of the Year |work=The Buffalo News |date=March 20, 2018 |access-date=March 21, 2018 |archive-date=March 22, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180322015418/http://buffalonews.com/2018/03/20/beauts-scamurra-named-nwhl-rookie-of-the-year/ |url-status=live }}
=Player of the Week=
Draft
The 2017 NWHL draft was the third in the history of the National Women's Hockey League and took place on August 17, 2017, in Brooklyn. Goaltender Katie Burt of Boston College was selected first overall by the Boston Pride.{{cite web|url=http://www.nwhl.zone/news_article/show/824400?referrer_id=2739439|title=BOSTON COLLEGE’S KATIE BURT TOPS 2017 NWHL DRAFT|publisher=nwhl.zone|access-date=August 19, 2017|archive-date=August 20, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170820073847/http://www.nwhl.zone/news_article/show/824400?referrer_id=2739439|url-status=live}} It marked the first time that the Boston Pride held the first pick overall in the draft, which the franchise obtained from the Connecticut Whale in the trade that sent Zoe Hickel to the Whale on February 7, 2017.{{cite web|url=http://www.nwhl.zone/news_article/show/754686-trade-connecticut-acquires-zoe-hickel|title=TRADE: Connecticut Acquires Zoe Hickel|publisher=nwhl.zone|access-date=August 19, 2017|archive-date=August 20, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170820034148/http://www.nwhl.zone/news_article/show/754686-trade-connecticut-acquires-zoe-hickel|url-status=live}}
| class="wikitable" |
| style="background:#ddf;"| {{abbr|Rd|Round}}
! style="background:#ddf;"| {{abbr|P|Pick}} ! style="background:#ddf;"| Player (Pos) ! style="background:#ddf;"| Team ! style="background:#ddf;"| Nationality ! style="background:#ddf;"| Former team |
|---|
| 1 || 1
| Katie Burt{{cite web|url=http://www.uscho.com/2017/08/17/boston-colleges-katie-burt-taken-no-1-overall-in-2017-nwhl-draft/|title=Boston College’s Burt taken No. 1 overall in 2017 NWHL Draft|publisher=USCHO|access-date=August 17, 2017|archive-date=August 20, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170820034309/http://www.uscho.com/2017/08/17/boston-colleges-katie-burt-taken-no-1-overall-in-2017-nwhl-draft/|url-status=live}} (G) | {{flagu|United States}} |
| 1 || 2
| Kennedy Marchment (F) | {{flagu|Canada}} | St. Lawrence (ECAC) |
| 1 || 3
| Taylar Cianfrano (F) | {{flagu|United States}} | Quinnipiac Bobcats (ECAC) |
| 1 || 4
| Kenzie Kent (F) | {{flagu|United States}} | Boston College (HEA) |
| 2 || 5
| Sam Donovan{{cite web|url=http://collinsvillepress.com/2017/08/whale-selects-four-forwards-in-2017-nwhl-draft/14821/|title=Whale selects four forwards in 2017 NWHL draft|publisher=Collinsville Press|access-date=August 17, 2017|archive-date=August 20, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170820035207/http://collinsvillepress.com/2017/08/whale-selects-four-forwards-in-2017-nwhl-draft/14821/|url-status=live}} (F) | {{flagu|United States}} | Brown Bears (ECAC) |
| 2 || 6
| Savannah Harmon (D) | Buffalo Beauts | {{flagu|United States}} | Clarkson (ECAC) |
| 2 || 7
| Victoria Bach (F) | New York Riveters | {{flagu|Canada}} | Boston University (HEA) |
| 2 || 8
| Mallory Souliotis (D) | Boston Pride | {{flagu|United States}} | Yale (ECAC) |
| 3 || 9
| Eden Murray (F) | Connecticut Whale | {{flagu|Canada}} | Yale Bulldogs (ECAC) |
| 3 || 10
| Brittany Howard (F) | Buffalo Beauts | {{flagu|United States}} | Robert Morris (CHA) |
| 3 || 11
| McKenna Brand (F) | New York Riveters | {{flagu|United States}} | Northeastern Huskies (HEA) |
| 3 || 12
| Lexie Laing (F) | Boston Pride | {{flagu|United States}} | Harvard Crimson (ECAC) |
| 4 || 13
| Denisa Křížová (F) | Connecticut Whale | {{flagu|Czech Republic}} | Northeastern (HEA) |
| 4 || 14
| Annika Zalewski (F) | Buffalo Beauts | {{flagu|United States}} | Colgate Raiders (ECAC) |
| 4 || 15
| Toni Ann Miano (D) | New York Riveters | {{flagu|United States}} | Boston College (HEA) |
| 4 || 16
| Lauren Kelly (D) | Boston Pride | {{flagu|United States}} | Northeastern (HEA) |
| 5 || 17
| Nina Rodgers (F) | Connecticut Whale | {{flagu|United States}} | Boston University (HEA) |
| 5 || 18
| Amy Schlager (D) | Buffalo Beauts | {{flagu|United States}} | New Hampshire Wildcats (HEA) |
| 5 || 19
| Rebecca Leslie (F) | New York Riveters | {{flagu|Canada}} | Boston University (HEA) |
| 5 || 20
| Julia Fedeski (D) | Boston Pride | {{flagu|Canada}} | New Hampshire Wildcats (HEA) |
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- {{Official website|http://nwhl.zone/|NWHL website}}
{{National Women's Hockey League}}
{{Professional Women's Hockey seasons}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:2017-18 NWHL season}}