The NWHL announced that a pair of netminders inked free agent deals, as Amanda Makela signed with the Buffalo Beauts and Jenny Scrivens landed with the New York Riveters.
The 2015 College Hockey America conference Goaltender of the Year, Makela suited up in 31 games for Mercyhurst University this past season, posting a 20-8-3 record to go along with a sparkling 1.44 goals against average and an equally impressive .932 save percentage. In four seasons at Mercyhurst, the Thunder Bay, Ontario native appeared in 84 games and finished her career with a .925 save percentage and a 1.63 GAA.
“I’m excited to play in the NHWL because it’s an opportunity to be a part of history,” said Makela. “It’s such an honor to be a part of the inaugural season of the first paid professional league for women’s hockey.”
As for Scrivens, she played three seasons at Cornell from 2006-09, posting a 15-28-2 record, a 3.06 GAA and a .905 save percentage in 52 games with the Big Red. Hailing from Camarillo, California, Scrivens is very much looking forward to the opportunity of playing in the NWHL:
[quote_center author=””]
I’m honored to have the opportunity to play professional hockey and join the Riveters in the NWHL’s inaugural season. It’s an exciting time for women’s hockey and women’s sports in general with increasing numbers of fans tuning in to watch international competition. I’m determined to continue to grow the game and encourage more girls and young women to play.
[/quote_center]
The pair of signings brings the total number of goalies for both the Beauts and the Riveters to three a piece, as Buffalo previously signed Brianne McLaughlin and Kimberly Sass, while New York signed Japan’s Nana Fujimoto and Shenae Lundberg.
