2016–17 NWHL season explained

2016–17 NWHL season
League:	National Women's Hockey League
Sport:	Ice hockey
Draft:	2016 draft
Top Pick:	Kelsey Koelzer
Picked By:	New York Riveters
Season:	Regular season
Season Champs:	Boston Pride
Mvp:	Brianna Decker
Top Scorer:	Brianna Decker
Finals:	Isobel Cup
Finals Link:	Isobel Cup
Finals Champ:	Buffalo Beauts
Finals Runner-Up:	Boston Pride
Finals Mvp:	Brianne McLaughlin
Nextseason Year:	2017–18
Prevseason Year:	2015–16
Seasonslistnames:	NWHL

The 2016–17 NWHL season is the second season of operation of the National Women's Hockey League. All four teams from the inaugural season returned for this season: the Boston Pride, Buffalo Beauts, Connecticut Whale, and New York Riveters.

League business

Team locations

During the off-season, the Connecticut Whale moved to Northford Ice Pavilion in North Branford, Connecticut, and the defending champion Boston Pride moved to the new Warrior Ice Arena in the Boston neighborhood of Brighton.

On August 1, 2016, it was announced that the New York Riveters moved from Brooklyn to the Barnabas Health Hockey House in Newark, New Jersey, situated within the Prudential Center as the New Jersey Devils practice arena. The facility was the site of the first Isobel Cup finals the previous season.^[1]

With the changes in arenas, it left the Buffalo Beauts, playing their second season at Harborcenter, as the sole team not to change arenas.

League news

• August 2, 2016: The league announced a partnership with You Can Play, which also saw each team feature an ambassador.^[2]
• August 4, 2016: The league announced that all four inaugural season jersey designs would be retired and replaced with new designs voted upon by fans.^[3]
• October 7, 2016: Buffalo Beauts player Hailey Browne became the first transgender athlete in professional North American team sports, asking to be referred to by the name Harrison Browne. As the hormone treatments involved with gender transition violate anti-doping regulations, Browne would remain fully biologically female during his playing career.^[4] Browne initially retired at the end of the season to with plans to start a full transition, but returned to play for the Metropolitan Riveters the following season.
• November 17, 2016: Part way into the league's second season, the NWHL informed its players that they would all be getting up to a 50% pay cut. The league claims the pay cut is needed in order to sustain the longevity of the league. This dropped the league player minimums to $5,000 per player.^[5] Five weeks later, in an attempt to partially compensate for the salary rollback, the league introduced an incentive program where players from the home team split the revenue generated by tickets sold in excess of 500 after each game.^[6]
• February 3, 2017: The league announced that the season and playoffs would be shortened to accommodate for the players' participation in the 2017 IIHF Women's World Championship and preparations for the 2018 Olympic teams.^[7] The season was originally set to end on April 16, following a three-week break for the World Championships. The regular season was instead scheduled to end on March 12 and then followed by a single-game Isobel Cup playoff semifinals and final to be held March 17–19.

All-star game

See main article: 2nd NWHL All-Star Game. The 2nd NWHL All-Star Game was held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the first NWHL game to be played outside of its four markets. Amanda Kessel and Kelley Steadman were named as All-Star captains. Kessel would go on to score the first hat trick in NWHL All-Star history.

Regular season

Standings

	17	16	1	0	73	29	32
	18	8	7	3	55	58	19
	17	6	10	1	44	68	13
	18	5	12	1	60	77	11

Statistics

Scoring leaders

• The following players led the league in regular season points at the conclusion of season.

Player	Team
		17	14	17	31
	Boston Pride	17	9	20	29
		16	11	11	22
		17	10	12	22
	Boston Pride	17	13	7	20

Awards and honors

• Brianna Decker, Boston Pride, 2017 NWHL Most Valuable Player
• Brianna Decker, Boston Pride, 2017 NWHL Scoring Champion
• Ashley Johnston, New York Riveters, 2017 NWHL Denna Laing Perseverance Award
• Megan Bozek, Buffalo Beauts, 2017 NWHL Defensive Player of the Year Award
• Katie Fitzgerald, New York Riveters, 2017 NWHL Goaltender of the Year

Transactions

Draft

The 2016 NWHL Draft took place on June 18, 2016, and was the second in league history. Defender Kelsey Koelzer of Princeton was selected first overall by the New York Riveters.^[8]

		Player (Pos)	Team	Nationality	Former team
1	1	Kelsey Koelzer (D)	New York Riveters		Princeton University (ECAC)
1	2	Lee Stecklein^[9] (D)	Buffalo Beauts		University of Minnesota (WCHA)
1	3	Dani Cameranesi (F)	Connecticut Whale		University of Minnesota (WCHA)
1	4	Ann-Renee Desbiens (G)	Boston Pride		University of Wisconsin (WCHA)
2	5	Sydney Daniels (F)	New York Riveters		Harvard University (ECAC)
2	6	Cayley Mercer (F)	Buffalo Beauts		Clarkson University (ECAC)
2	7	Andie Anastos (F)	Connecticut Whale		Boston College (Hockey East)
2	8	Sarah Nurse (F)	Boston Pride		University of Wisconsin (WCHA)
3	9	Jenny Ryan (D)	New York Riveters		University of Wisconsin (WCHA)
3	10	Hayley Scamurra (F)	Buffalo Beauts		Northeastern University (HEA)
3	11	Mellissa Channell (D)	Connecticut Whale		University of Wisconsin (WCHA)
3	12	Ashleigh Brykaliuk (F)	Boston Pride		University of Minnesota Duluth (WCHA)
4	13	Sydney McKibbon (F)	New York Riveters		University of Wisconsin (WCHA)
4	14	Emma Woods (F)	Buffalo Beauts		Quinnipiac University (ECAC)
4	15	Paige Savage (F)	Connecticut Whale		Northeastern (HEA)
4	16	Halli Krzyzaniak (D)	Boston Pride		University of North Dakota (ECAC)
5	17	Amy Menke (F)	New York Riveters		University of North Dakota (WCHA)
5	18	Maddie Elia (F)	Buffalo Beauts		Boston University (HEA)
5	19	Sydney Rossman (G)	Connecticut Whale		Quinnipiac University (ECAC)
5	20	Lara Stalder (F)	Boston Pride		University of Minnesota Duluth (WCHA)

Free agency

Date	Player	New team
April 4, 2016	Kelly Babstock^[10]	Connecticut Whale
April 6, 2016	Morgan Fritz-Ward^[11]	New York Riveters
April 6, 2016		New York Riveters
April 11, 2016	Paige Harrington^[12]	Buffalo Beauts
April 12, 2016	Ashley Johnston^[13]	New York Riveters
April 12, 2016	Kiira Dosdall	New York Riveters
April 20, 2016	Jordan Smelker^[14]	Boston Pride
April 26, 2016	Jillian Dempsey^[15]	Boston Pride
April 27, 2016	Alyssa Gagliardi^[16]	Boston Pride
April 28, 2016	Bray Ketchum^[17]	New York Riveters
April 28, 2016	Amanda Leveille^[18]	Buffalo Beauts
April 28, 2016	Miye D'Oench^[19]	New York Riveters
April 30, 2016	Sam Faber^[20]	Connecticut Whale
May 1, 2016	Kaleigh Fratkin^[21]	New York Riveters
May 1, 2016	Jaimie Leonoff	New York Riveters
May 1, 2016	Amanda Kessel^[22]	New York Riveters
May 2, 2016	Lexi Bender^[23]	Boston Pride
May 2, 2016	Lisa Chesson^[24]	Buffalo Beauts
May 2, 2016	Kaliya Johnson^[25]	Connecticut Whale
May 3, 2016	Cydney Roesler^[26]	Connecticut Whale
May 3, 2016	Nicole Connery	Connecticut Whale
May 3, 2016	Nicole Kosta	Connecticut Whale
May 4, 2016	Kelley Steadman^[27]	Buffalo Beauts
May 4, 2016	Shelby Bram^[28]	Buffalo Beauts
May 5, 2016	Courtney Burke^[29]	New York Riveters
May 10, 2016	Hailey Browne^[30]	Buffalo Beauts
May 10, 2016	Devon Skeats	Buffalo Beauts
May 11, 2016	Jessica Koizumi^[31]	Connecticut Whale (PHF)	Connecticut Whale
May 13, 2016	Shenae Lundberg^[32]	Connecticut Whale
May 16, 2016	Kourtney Kunichika^[33]	Buffalo Beauts
May 16, 2016	Emily Janiga	Buffalo Beauts

Trades

^[34]	To New York Riveters----Haley Skarupa (Right)	To Connecticut Whale----Michelle Picard (Right)
^[35]	To New York Riveters----Hannah Brandt (Right)	To Connecticut Whale----Dana Trivigno (Right)
^[36]	To Boston Pride----Alex Carpenter (Right)	To New York Riveters----Miye D'Oench (Right)

Retired

External links

• NWHL website

Notes and References

1. Web site: New York Riveters leave Brooklyn for Newark. Today’s Slapshot. 2016-08-01. 2016-08-08. https://web.archive.org/web/20171109081131/https://www.todaysslapshot.com/FROM-THE-ICE/NEW-YORK-RIVETERS-LEAVE-BROOKLYN-FOR-NEW-JERSEY/. 2017-11-09. dead.
2. Web site: NWHL partners with You Can Play. You Can Play Project. 2016-08-01. 2016-10-07. 2016-10-08. https://web.archive.org/web/20161008175326/http://www.youcanplayproject.org/news/entry/nwhl-partners-with-you-can-play. dead.
3. Web site: NWHL retires inaugural season jersey designs. NWHL.zone. 2016-08-04. 2016-08-08. https://web.archive.org/web/20160810010216/https://nwhl.zone/nwhl-retires-inaugural-season-jersey-designs/. 2016-08-10. dead.
4. Web site: NWHL player Harrison Browne comes out as a transgender man. ESPN. 2016-10-07. 2016-10-07. 2016-10-08. https://web.archive.org/web/20161008081452/http://www.espn.com/espnw/sports/article/17727834/nwhl-player-harrison-browne-comes-transgender-man. live.
5. Web site: NWHL HIT WITH BAD NEWS . The Fourth Period . November 18, 2016 . 2016-11-18 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161119182137/http://www.thefourthperiod.com/columnists/pagnotta/dp161118.html . 2016-11-19 . dead .
6. Web site: NWHL players to receive attendance bonuses. Excelle Sports. 2016-12-23. 2016-12-27. https://web.archive.org/web/20161228124014/http://www.excellesports.com/news/nwhl-players-receive-attendance-bonuses/. 2016-12-28. dead.
7. Web site: NWHL to complete playoffs before world championships . . February 3, 2017 . February 3, 2017 . February 4, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170204085056/http://www.espn.com/espnw/sports/article/18608812/nwhl-complete-playoffs-world-championships . live .
8. Web site: Kelsey Koelzer Taken First Overall. princetontigers.com. June 19, 2016. January 24, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230124114113/https://goprincetontigers.com/news/2016/6/18/211023697.aspx. live.
9. Web site: First-round picks show how NWHL GMs view their teams. 19 June 2016 . Sports Illustrated. June 21, 2016. June 21, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160621103331/http://www.si.com/nhl/2016/06/19/nwhl-draft-kelsey-koezler-lee-stecklein-dani-cameranesi-ann-renee-desbiens. live.
10. Web site: Bastock re-sign with CTW. 2023-01-24. 2016-04-24. https://web.archive.org/web/20160424225756/http://nwhl.co/kelly-babstock-re-signs-with-connecticut-whale/. live.
11. Web site: Fritz-Ward and Packer re-sign with NYR. 2023-01-24. 2016-06-25. https://web.archive.org/web/20160625035234/http://nwhl.co/fritz-ward-and-packer-re-sign-with-riveters/. dead.
12. Web site: Harrington re-sign with BUF. 2023-01-24. 2017-10-16. https://web.archive.org/web/20171016070501/http://nwhl.co/harrington-first-player-to-re-sign-with-buffalo/. live.
13. Web site: Johnston and Dosdall re-sign with NYR. 2023-01-24. 2016-05-05. https://web.archive.org/web/20160505154240/http://nwhl.co/riveters-re-sign-johnston-and-dosdall/. dead.
14. Web site: Smelker re-sign with BOS. 2023-01-24. 2017-11-05. https://web.archive.org/web/20171105224708/http://nwhl.co/smelker-first-to-re-sign-with-boston-pride/. live.
15. Web site: Dempsey re-sign with BOS. 2023-01-24. 2017-11-07. https://web.archive.org/web/20171107152251/http://nwhl.co/jillian-dempsey-re-signs-with-boston-pride/. live.
16. Web site: Gagliardi re-sign with BOS. 2023-01-24. 2017-11-06. https://web.archive.org/web/20171106170446/http://nwhl.co/defenseman-gagliardi-re-signs-with-boston-pride/. live.
17. Web site: Ketchum re-sign wit NYR. 2023-01-24. 2016-05-30. https://web.archive.org/web/20160530125838/http://nwhl.co/bray-ketchum-re-signs-with-riveters/. live.
18. Web site: 2015 Draft Pick Leveille Signs With Beauts. 2023-01-24. 2016-05-30. https://web.archive.org/web/20160530132620/http://nwhl.co/2015-draft-pick-leveille-signs-with-beauts/. live.
19. Web site: D'Oench Signs With Riveters After Trade From Boston. 2023-01-24. 2016-05-30. https://web.archive.org/web/20160530135151/http://nwhl.co/doench-signs-with-riveters-after-trade-from-boston/. live.
20. Web site: Sam Faber Re-Signs With Whale. 2023-01-24. 2016-05-31. https://web.archive.org/web/20160531154220/http://nwhl.co/sam-faber-re-signs-with-whale/. live.
21. Web site: Fratkin and Leonoff Join New York Roster. 2023-01-24. 2016-06-02. https://web.archive.org/web/20160602055227/http://nwhl.co/fratkin-and-leonoff-join-new-york-roster/. live.
22. Web site: Amanda Kessel Joins NWHL With Riveters. 2023-01-24. 2016-06-02. https://web.archive.org/web/20160602055229/http://nwhl.co/amanda-kessel-joins-nwhl-with-riveters/. live.
23. Web site: Pride Add Third Round Pick Lexi Bender. 2023-01-24. 2017-11-07. https://web.archive.org/web/20171107150659/http://nwhl.co/pride-add-third-round-pick-lexi-bender/. live.
24. Web site: Former Olympian Lisa Chesson Signs With Buffalo. 2023-01-24. 2016-06-03. https://web.archive.org/web/20160603074415/http://nwhl.co/former-olympian-lisa-chesson-signs-with-buffalo/. live.
25. Web site: Whale Adds Undrafted BC Defenseman Johnson. 2023-01-24. 2016-09-10. https://web.archive.org/web/20160910010622/http://nwhl.co/whale-adds-undrafted-bc-defenseman-johnson/. live.
26. Web site: Roesler, Connery, and Kosta Join Connecticut Whale. 2023-01-24. 2016-06-02. https://web.archive.org/web/20160602205145/http://nwhl.co/roesler-connery-and-kosta-join-connecticut-whale/. live.
27. Web site: Beauts Return Points Leader With Steadman. 2023-01-24. 2016-09-10. https://web.archive.org/web/20160910010551/http://nwhl.co/beauts-return-points-leader-with-steadman/. live.
28. Web site: Shelby Bram Returns to Beauts for Second Season. 2023-01-24. 2017-11-26. https://web.archive.org/web/20171126100157/http://nwhl.co/shelby-bram-returns-to-beauts-for-second-season/. live.
29. Web site: Fourth Overall Pick Burke Chooses Riveters. 2023-01-24. 2017-12-19. https://web.archive.org/web/20171219141516/http://nwhl.co/fourth-overall-pick-burke-chooses-riveters/. live.
30. Web site: Linemates Skeats and Browne Return to Beauts. 2023-01-24. 2016-09-10. https://web.archive.org/web/20160910010612/http://nwhl.co/linemates-skeats-and-browne-return-to-beauts/. live.
31. Web site: Inaugural Season Captain Koizumi Returns to Whale. 2023-01-24. 2016-06-02. https://web.archive.org/web/20160602200617/http://nwhl.co/inaugural-season-captain-koizumi-returns-to-whale/. live.
32. Web site: Whale Returns Goaltender Lundberg. 2023-01-24. 2016-09-10. https://web.archive.org/web/20160910010624/http://nwhl.co/whale-returns-goaltender-lundberg/. live.
33. Web site: Beauts Add Forwards Kunichika and Janiga. 2023-01-24. 2016-06-03. https://web.archive.org/web/20160603211446/http://nwhl.co/beauts-add-forwards-kunichika-and-janiga/. live.
34. Web site: Skarupa and Picard Trade. 2023-01-24. 2016-05-14. https://web.archive.org/web/20160514041821/http://nwhl.co/riveters-whale-trade-rights-to-skarupa-and-picard/. dead.
35. Web site: Trivigno and Brandt Trade. 2023-01-24. 2016-05-14. https://web.archive.org/web/20160514043936/http://nwhl.co/brandt-for-trivigno-second-offseason-trade/. live.
36. Web site: Carpenter and D'Oench Trade. 2023-01-24. 2016-05-30. https://web.archive.org/web/20160530132818/http://nwhl.co/pride-riveters-trade-rights-to-carpenter-and-doench/. live.
37. Web site: Jenny Scrivens retires; opting for family over 'dream job'. ca.sports.yahoo.com. 11 May 2016 . 2023-01-24. 2022-11-28. https://web.archive.org/web/20221128021359/https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/jenny-scrivens-retires--opting-for-family-over--dream-job-163655406.html. live.