The Buffalo Beauts have re-signed starting goaltender Brianne McLaughlin to a one-year deal, the team announced Sunday. The contract carries a value of $17,000 dollars, a pay decrease of $5,000 from last season.
McLaughlin was the Beauts starter in the league’s inaugural season, taking 14 games during the regular season and leading the team to a berth in the Isobel Cup Final, where they were swept by the Boston Pride. McLaughlin posted a .907 save percentage for the Beauts during the regular season.
This season, the ice may prove a little more difficult to earn with three-time NCAA national champion Amanda Leveille from the University of Minnesota joining the team.
“Brianne was an integral part of our playoff run last year,” said general manager Ric Seiling. “We look to her to bring that solid finish from last year to the Beauts again.”
McLaughlin has also been a long-time member of the U.S. National Team, playing in three Four Nations Cup tournaments and three World Championships. She also won silver at the 2010 and 2014 Olympics.
Her signing comes on the final day of NWHL free agency when a number of U.S. National Team players are finalizing their contracts.
Dustin Nelson is the News Editor for The Hockey Writers. He’s a contributor to Hockey Prospectus, Hockey Wilderness, and writes a column for Rotowire. He’s also written for Gone Puck Wild, Wild Xtra, InDigest, Electric Literature, The Rumpus, Tiny Mix Tapes, Prefix Magazine & other publications. Have a tip? Email him at dlukenelson[at]gmail[dot]com.
