Politixia
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Six Harvard women’s ice hockey alums have begun training for the inaugural season of the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) that is set to begin in early January. The new professional league consists of six teams and will bring together the best talent in the women’s hockey world to compete in one unified league.
The Crimson was well represented during the first-ever PWHL Draft in September as former stars Emma Buckles, Kristin Della Rovere and Jillian Dempsey heard their names called on the day, landing in Boston, Ottawa and Montreal, respectively. Emerance Maschmeyer was a pre-draft signee of the Ottawa franchise, whom she inked a three-year deal with in early September.
‘It doesn’t feel real yet’
Ottawa goaltender Emerance Maschmeyer speaks about the surreal feeling she felt when she learned that she was joining Ottawa’s PWHL team, and say today’s draft is thanks in part to the pioneers of the women’s game. pic.twitter.com/zAYxL6k9Kp
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) September 18, 2023
We had to give you one more before the end of the day. ??
Harvard University Captain Kristin Della Rovere has signed a one-year contract! pic.twitter.com/Vyjn8662K6
— PWHL Ottawa (@PWHL_Ottawa) November 2, 2023
Buckle up!
Shoring up the blue line for the next year with our newest signing, Emma Buckles! pic.twitter.com/dLNq61vhqz
Announcement
— PWHL Boston (@PWHL_Boston) November 2, 2023
Jillian Dempsey, la vétérane venant de Boston, signe un contrat de 1 an ????
Jillian a mené son équipe à trois reprises au titre de championne de la Coupe Isobel.
We are signing the myth, the legend, the veteran Jillian Dempsey to a one-year contract ??
The three-time Isobel… pic.twitter.com/lqidVYgjUk
— PWHL Montréal (@PWHL_Montreal) November 9, 2023
Becca Gilmore was the first player to sign a free-agent contract in PWHL history, landing in Ottawa alongside Della Rovere, Machmeyer and Kyra Willoughby, who signed a training camp deal with the franchise earlier this month. As a program, Harvard ranks fourth in the ECAC and second among Ivy League schools with its six skaters on training camp rosters.
You didn’t think we were done, did you? ??
AnnouncementWe are so excited to welcome IIHF World Champion Becca Gilmore (@b_gilmore98) to the squad as she signs a 1-year deal! pic.twitter.com/OVFvfdqLmt
— PWHL Ottawa (@PWHL_Ottawa) November 6, 2023
The six alums hit the ice for the first time with their new teams this past week to begin preparing for the upcoming season. Follow along at GoCrimson.com and at PWHL.com for more updates about the new pro league and the Harvard alums competing.
