Behind Every Team: The Buffalo Beauts Battalion

Signs created by Beauts Battalion in support of their NWHL team, the Buffalo Beauts. Photo courtesy of Nikki Karek

The Buffalo Beauts of the National Women’s Hockey League (NWHL) went from worst in the league to the first ever Isobel Cup Championship series. Before Kelley Steadman was the All-Star MVP, and before the Beauts finally got a win against the Connecticut Whale, the Beauts Battalion was formed. MyWSports spoke to Nikki Karek and Katie Kay of the Supporters Group following their first season; this is their story.

Early in the inaugural NWHL season, Katie caught the Beauts bug, “We were at the second or third Beauts game and I just started thinking, let’s start a fanclub or something.” The former athlete and longtime fan of women’s hockey, by way of the Olympics and CWHL, was excited to see women’s hockey make its way to Buffalo. Nikki had a similar story, “Being a female athlete myself and watching the Olympics in 2014 … when I heard there was going to be a professional women’s league, and that there would be a Buffalo team, I automatically started going to their games.”

The Beauts Battalion is a humble group of loyal fans showing support for their local team, and women’s hockey. The Battalion members sit together, stencil signs and try to create a positive atmosphere that fans and players can enjoy.

“Being there and supporting [the team] is huge,” said Nikki, “whether they are winning or losing.” Having a dedicated group of diverse fans to play for is what the Battalion wants to provide for Beauts players. Katie added that the Buffalo team played with so much passion throughout the season, making it worthwhile to stick it out with the team. The Battalion and other fans were rewarded for their loyalty, as Buffalo made their way into the NWHL Finals.

A view of the All Star game at HARBORCENTER. Photo Credit: @BeautsBattalion/Twitter

The Battalion had several memorable moments in the first season. The Beauts were the hosts to the NWHL All-Star Game, and the Battalion had a front row seat to history. As a nice cherry on top, Beauts practice player Kelley Steadman was named the All-Star MVP. Additionally, the Battalion followed the Beauts on a two-game road trip. The team had back-to-back games against Boston and Connecticut in early December. Katie recalls Beauts goalie Brianne McLaughlin tapping the glass during warm-ups in recognition of the Battalion members who made the road trip, “that was pretty cool!”

Season at a Glance

“At the beginning of the season, (the Beauts) weren't doing so well, but my friends and I still wanted to support them; to support the league” said Nikki. “The beginning of the season was rough, because a lot of our players weren’t here,” added Katie, referring to players who hadn’t secured visas at the beginning of the season. However, things began to turn around when Buffalo played the New York Riveters for the first time on November 29th. After dropping five straight games, Buffalo picked up its first win on the road, topping New York 3-1.

“We had a lot of close games in the beginning of the season, especially with Connecticut,” noted Katie. From that first win, the Beauts collected another 4 wins, finishing the season 5-9-4 earning the third seed heading into the playoffs. The Beauts would take on the Connecticut Whale, a team who defeated them three times in overtime (twice in a shootout). After dropping the first of the best of three series in Connecticut, the Beauts would need to dig deep to keep the season alive. However, the Battalion wasn’t too worried about the odds. The Buffalo team, behind standout players like Kelley Steadman, Emily Pfalzer, and Megan Bozek, became known as a team with grit. “I was confident when (the Beauts) were going into the playoffs. They’re a hard-working team and anything can happen if they get the right bounces,” stated Nikki.

The odds were in Buffalo’s favor. With stars Steadman and Meghan Duggan back from coaching commitments for games two and three, Buffalo overcame the Whale. The miraculous comeback from Buffalo saw the team go from fourth place to the Isobel Cup Final. The Beauts would fall to the dominant Boston Pride in two straight games, but the run was something Katie enjoyed, “I was really impressed with how (the team) turned it around … it’s something to build on, definitely.”

Megan Bozek and Nikki snap a picture during the final home game of the season. Photo courtesy of Nikki Karek

Looking Ahead to Season Two

We spoke with Nikki and Katie rather early in the NWHL free agency period, which ends tomorrow. When we spoke with the Beauts Battalion, Buffalo re-signed Paige Harrington, Devon Skeats, and Hailey Browne. Additionally, Buffalo was the first team to sign a 2015 draft pick to a professional contract. In April, the Beauts signed, University of Minnesota goaltender, Amanda Leveille. En route to the 2016 NCAA title, Leveille notched a .947 save percentage and 1.18 goals against average, in 116 games.

Buffalo Beauts 2016-17 roster as of July 30th. Free agency ends July 31st

As of now, Buffalo has yet to re-sign some names that Katie and Nikki would like to see back. However, a huge coup for Buffalo is the return of Kelley Steadman, and as a salaried player. Just this week, it was announced that former Boston Pride Forward Corinne Buie has also signed with Buffalo. No National team members have re-signed from the Beauts or the Pride. However, fans are hopeful that the Riveters acquisition of National Team player Amanda Kessel points to it being a matter of when, not if, Team USA players will sign.

“Personally, I would like to see (Buffalo) bring back Megan Bozek,” said Nikki. The defenseman contributed to the offensive attack for Buffalo, notching 3 goals and 10 assists. Katie added that Meghan Duggan should also be a priority, “what she brings to the table, you just can’t find anywhere else.” Duggan recorded 6 goals and 10 assists for the Beauts. Neither player has signed with one day left of free agency.

The Future of Women’s Hockey

Both Nikki and Katie are hopeful that the NWHL will offer more exposure, and essentially more viable employment for female hockey players. However, the Battalion members know that will take time, “You would like to see (women) do this strictly as their profession,” said Nikki, “realistically, I think we are a ways from that.”

Katie added, “I think it would be ideal to have one league, but I don’t really know how they are going to merge together.” Right now, the CWHL does not offer salaries to players, although the league hopes to do so soon. For Katie, the question of travel is a concern, but she hopes that the women’s talent pool will come together in one league, “there are some great players in the CWHL, and (right now), I don’t get to see them play.”

The women agreed that whether two leagues remain or not, stability is important for the sake of the game, and especially for the sake of the players. Right now, none of the opportunities for professional women’s hockey can offer that. There is a larger talent pool than there are roster spots. Additionally, playing hockey for little to no money is difficult over an extended period of time. Furthermore, the financial stability of the NWHL leaves questions as to whether questions regarding a merger, or even a second season, are moot.

News broke shortly after the first season that former employee and investor, Mike Moran filed a lawsuit against league Commissioner Dani Rylan. Despite the league insisting the second season would go on as planned, the reports left lots of questions, “I don’t know what is going on behind closed doors,” said Nikki, regarding the lawsuit. She also questioned whether what the league was saying to fans about sustainability, was accurate or not. Katie added, “you don’t like hearing stuff like that, it makes you uneasy,” but she hoped that the player signings for the Beauts and other teams was a good sign.

Member of the Beauts Battalion posing during the first NWHL season. Photo courtesy of Nikki Karek

As for the Battalion, the ladies hope to continue to grow the group. We hear more signs, more members and even a hand-stitched blanket are in the works! The Battalion will be able to recruit during Opening Weekend to be held in Buffalo. In a statement earlier this month, Commissioner Dani Rylan announced a special weekend celebration to kick-off the 2016-17 season, “We had a very successful inaugural season and All-Star Game at HARBORCENTER, and we’re excited to mark a major anniversary in Buffalo.” The Beauts will relive the 2016 Isobel Cup final as they face Boston on Friday, October 7th. Buffalo will close opening weekend with a game against the Connecticut Whale.

Tickets for Opening Weekend can be found at online at NWHL.zone. Buffalo season tickets are now on sale and can be purchased here. Connect with the Beaut Battalion on Twitter, @BeautsBattalion.