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The NWHL Takes to Newark... Again


Players take a knee a receive instruction on the next drill at the Barnabas Health Hockey House in New Jersey. (Erica Ayala/MyWSports)

2016 Free Agent Camps

Sunday marked exactly three months since the Boston Pride won the Isobel Cup to become the first ever NWHL Champions. This weekend, on the same ice, NWHL hopefuls participated in a three day 2016 Free Agent Camp. The Newark camp is the first of three the NWHL will host this summer. Over the weekend, Heather Linstad, Head Coach of the Connecticut Whale, led NWHL hopefuls through a series on on and off-ice drills, as well as scrimmages. Family, hockey fans and all four NWHL General Managers were on hand to scout the talent in this first camp.

Players with NCAA hockey experience represented graduating classes ranging from 2007 to 2016. While the roster was comprised mostly of recent college graduates, there were first season veterans from three NWHL teams, as well as International talent. Elena Orlando (Riveters), Danielle Ward (Whale), Gabie Figueroa (Riveters) and Hayley Williams (Beauts) were the four league veterans who participated in the Newark camp. Additionally, there were three International players in camp, Russian National Team player Dyupina Evgeniya, and Japanese players Nachi Fujimoto and Sato Kikuchi.

Looking for a (New) Home

NWHL Free Agency began April 1st and concludes July 31st. We have already seen a fair share of action. While the Riveters have made huge moves, including signing free agent Amanda Kessel. The Connecticut Whale were the first team to add to the new rosters, re-signing Kelly Babstock during restricted free agency. Buffalo signed 1st season practice player and All-Star MVP Kelley Steadman to a contract, and Boston signed draft pick Lexi Bender.

However, no active National Team players have signed with the league. Considering that all the National Team players moved from the CWHL to the NWHL, fans are keeping a close eye on whether Team USA will stay with the American or not. Assuming all the Team USA players return, there will be limited space for new talent. Even returning players may find it difficult to make one of the four rosters. Yet, there are still plenty of hockey players willing to take a chance and make a case to make the cut, be it as a roster or practice player role.

Elena Orlando of the New York Riveters and 2015 Amherst College graduate Madeline Tank await their opportunity to hit the ice.

(Erica Ayala/MyWSports)

After the morning session on Saturday, the Riveters defenseman Elena Orlando spoke to media about getting back on the ice. Admittedly, the second day brought a better, sharper pace overall. She conceded that players were “working off rust”. For Orlando, playing in the NWHL last year made that transition back to the ice easier, “The pace of the league is a step up from what college is … I definitely think [playing the first season] gives you an advantage because you’re playing against people like Hilary Knight and Brianna Decker, you’ve got the best of the best out there”. She and the other veterans certainly stood out. Not only did all but Orlando wear their NWHL gear, but they skated a bit more confidently during drills.

Although Elena played with the Riveters last year, she commuted from New Haven, Connecticut. It seems highly likely that the Riveters will call the Barnabas Hockey House home for the upcoming season. Logistically, the natural forward might find playing with the Connecticut Whale less burdensome. However, the Quinnipiac University alumna is keeping her option open, “That’s the great thing about having these camps,” said Orlando, “you get to meet all the GM’s and see what they have to say, and explore all your options.” While Orlando played defense last year in New York, she hopes to showcase her ability to contribute offensively as well, “I’m a good skater, I see the ice very well … I’d like to show that I can be offensive.”

As for Gabie Figueroa, she is ready to do whatever it takes to win a spot for the second time, “I learned a lot over the past year playing with the Riveters. I’m just out here trying my best and hoping for a contract spot.” When asked where she would like to be signed, Figueroa stated New York, without hesitation. The Princeton alum lives and works in New York City and noted a trip to New Jersey is convenient.

With the latest news of the Riveters signing Michelle Picard, it might be difficult for Figueroa to find a roster spot in New York. However, Gabie is committed to remaining involved one way or another, “If I don't end up with a contract spot, I’ll definitely be a practice player in a non-paid position and still be involved with the league, just because I believe in it so much … we’ll see what happens.” Figueroa hopes to show the GM’s that she is hard-working and ready to support the visions and systems of her coach, “I like to think of myself as a humble, hard worker … I won’t complain and I’ll show up everyday and do my best.”

A Family Affair

Sato Kikuchi and Nachi Fujimoto pose in between sessions on Saturday. (Erica Ayala/MyWSports)

In April, NWHL Commissioner Dani Rylan spoke with MyWSports about her recent trip to the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) Women’s World Championship in Canada. In addition to supporting the 20 NWHL players and draftees representing five countries, Rylan mentioned that the league wanted to plant seeds to recruit talent, “The main focus was to connect with those International General Managers and get them on board and knowing that the National Women’s Hockey league is the best place for their players to train after college,” said Rylan. “We want players from outside of North America participating because there is a ton of talent out there … it just goes to show how the game is evolving in Europe and in Asia. We definitely want to fall into the system where [the NWHL] is the natural progression for those players.” Kikuchi Sato and Nachi Fujimoto spoke with media through their translator after the Saturday morning session. Both acknowledged that New York RIveters were a motivator in their decision to attend camp. Japanese National Team goaltender Nana Fujimoto was the first and only Japanese player in the NWHL last season.

For Sato, the NWHL provided an opportunity to fulfill her dream of playing hockey in a professional league. Seeing the league in her home country last December (The Riveters played three exhibition games against the Japanese National Team), provided something tangible for her and other female players to reach for. Sato was looking forward to participating in the scrimmages, where she hoped to show her defensive strengths. In preparation for the NWHL camp, Sato practiced with boys teams to improve her physicality. Although known as a physical player in Japan, Kikuchi anticipated that the North American style of play would be even more physical than what she is used to. When asked what attributes she brings to a team, Sato remarked that her speciality is being a stay-at-home defender.

(Erica Ayala/MyWSports)

In the case of Fujimoto, her sister Nana played a huge role in her decision to attend camp. Nachi spoke with Nana about her experience in the league before making the trip for Free Agent Camp. While Nana has been open about her father’s persistence to play hockey, Nachi willing gravitated toward hockey. Just as today, Nachi grew up inspired to challenge herself in hockey, because her older sister paved the way. Fujimoto felt that she is also a more physical defender and her specialty is her ability to quickly feed the puck up to her forwards.

The Long Road of Free Agency

This weekend marked the first of three camps to be hosted in NWHL markets. The NWHL will host the second camp in Buffalo, New York June 24-26th at the HarborCenter, and July 22-24th in Wilmington, Massachusetts at Ristuccia Arena. We are likely to see some players return to showcase their talents, especially for the Boston camp. As we get closer to the July 31st free agency deadline, we are likely to see roster spots decrease. Whether a new graduate, a founding player or something in between, it is evident that the competition in the NWHL continues to grow. Players must be ready with their best play and professionalism to be considered at all.

Follow Erica Ayala on Twitter @elindsay08


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