Reigning All-Star MVP Kelley Steadman Ready for Pittsburgh
Steadman (#3) during last years NWHL All-Star Game
Last year, Kelley Steadman took the National Women’s Hockey League (NWHL) by storm, finishing the season with twenty points (13 goals and 7 assists) and reaching the Isobel Cup Finals in the league’s inaugural season. She also was named All-Star MVP one year ago on the home ice of her team, the Buffalo Beauts. What’s more, Steadman did all of this as a practice player.
[READ MORE: A Conversation with MVP All-Star Kelley Steadman]
MyWSports spoke to Steadman last year after winning the MVP at the first-ever NWHL All-Star Game. As we head into this year’s All-Star Weekend in Pittsburgh, here is what the reigning MVP and current All-Star Captain had to say about this year’s event:
On being an All-Star team captain:
“I got a call a couple of months ago asking if that’d be something I’d be interested in doing. Obviously, I jumped at the chance, especially with it being in Pittsburgh. Again, definitely an honor to be selected and to be able to bring our league to Pittsburgh where I know there’s a ton of fans - hockey fans, as well as fans of our league - and kids that follow us. So, I’m looking forward to it.”
On selecting her players through the draft:
“A couple days before [the draft], I kinda sat down and thought about our team last year, and the people we had on it. The most important part for me was just to have people that I knew would bring a ton of fun and energy … there’s so many good players, and players that I’ve known for a long time. There are a couple that I definitely wanted on my roster that Kessel got from me first. But again, with so many talented and players and good people, it was pretty easy to form a roster.”
On having the fans, media and coaches vote:
“It probably made it a little more difficult, not in a bad way necessarily, because there are so many talented players in the league … I’m glad that the fans got to be involved this year. I think that’s great that they had a say in it, and obviously the media who covers all our games, just to get perspective from outsiders, is always a good thing.”
On having her All-Star jersey from last season displayed in the Hockey Hall of Fall:
“[The league] told me … right after the All-Star Game last year that they were going to take my jersey and send it up there, so I kinda knew right away. I got an email maybe a month or two after that saying they were going to put it up on display throughout the summer and into the fall. It was pretty cool. I didn’t get up there to see it myself, but I’ve had friends take pictures and send it to me. So, it was definitely an honor, and pretty cool.”
On having the ASG out-of-market:
“I think it’s good for the league … it’s bringing our league and our good players and what we do to another fanbase. I think anytime you can do that, it’s a chance to grow the league … I can’t really see it being anything but a positive as long as the players have the dedication to get there and play the game.”
“I think it’s going to be great. As far as I know, we are on pace to sell out, if not pretty close to being sold out. I don’t think they could have picked a better hockey market to spread out to, and try to get fans a little more involved. Brianne [McLaughlin] and I both work with [many] girls in the area - different leagues and programs - and there is just a lot of excitement about the NWHL and these girls are just so excited to see some of their favorite players.”
“Obviously, they don’t get a chance to get out to Buffalo or to Connecticut, just ‘cause they have their own seasons. From the kids all they way up to the adults, it’s just a huge hockey city and I think they’ll be a ton of support as long as we keep getting the word out there and letting people know it’s happening.”
On what to expect from Team Steadman:
“I haven’t talked about it too much with my team yet, but I’m sure we’ll come up with some good stuff before the game … anyone that’s involved pretty much has a good sense of humor and they’ve been around hockey and [watched] the NHL All-Star Game, so I think everybody has an idea of what they’re doing.”
You can catch Kelley and the rest of Team Steadman and Team Kessel on Saturday afternoon for the skills competition, and again on Sunday for the All-Star Game. Below is the schedule of events and team rosters.
2017 NWHL All-Star Weekend Schedule
Saturday 4:00pm:
2017 NWHL Skills Showdown, which includes:
Fastest Skater, including a Fastest Goalie challenge
Hardest Shot
Shooting Accuracy
Breakaway Challenge
Rapid-Fire Shootout Challenge
Sunday 3:00pm:
2017 NWHL All-Star Game (two 25-minute periods with one 18-minute intermission)
2017 NWHL All-Star Weekend Rosters Team Kessel – coached by New York Riveters head coach Chad Wiseman Goaltenders (2): Brittany Ott, Nicole Stock Defenders (4): Kacey Bellamy, Megan Bozek, Courtney Burke, Gigi Marvin
Forwards (8): Harrison Browne, Meghan Duggan, Zoe Hickel, Amanda Kessel, Hilary Knight, Rebecca Russo, Kelli Stack, Dana Trivigno
Team Steadman – coached by Riveters assistant Sis Paulsen Goaltenders (2): Katie Fitzgerald, Brianne McLaughlin Defenders (4): Blake Bolden, Kaleigh Fratkin, Emily Pfalzer, Ashley Johnston
Forwards (8): Kelly Babstock, Corinne Buie, Alex Carpenter, Shiann Darkangelo, Brianna Decker, Madison Packer, Haley Skarupa, Kelley Steadman
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