Last Season: 12-4-0 24pts (2nd in the NWHL, Lost in the Isobel Cup Championship to the Metropolitan Riveters)
Goals Leader: Hayley Scamurra – 7 goals
Assists Leader: Taylor Accursi – 10 assists
Points Leader: Kourtney Kunichika/Scamurra/Maddie Elia – 14 points
+/- Leader: Kristin Lewicki – +5
Key Departures: Amanda Leveille
Key Additions: Shannon Szabados, Emily Janiga, Emily Pfalzer, Kelly Babstock, and Blake Bolden
Top Questions Facing the Beauts:
- How will the Buffalo Beauts manage Shannon Szabados playing time?
The biggest offseason pickup by any team was the Beauts signing Canadian Women’s Ice Hockey Superstar Shannon Szabados. However, at the same time they signed US Women’s Ice Hockey gold medalist Nicole Hensley, so one has to wonder how the coaching staff in Buffalo are going to utilize both Hensley and Szabados. Both are high caliber goalies who have won a combined 3 Olympic gold medals between them.
2. How will the Beauts gel this season with all of the new faces?
This season the Beauts will be looking to make it to the Isobel Cup Finals for a fourth straight season, and this time they will be doing it with half of the team being brand new, or returning after missing last season to play in the Olympics. Both the returning players, and the new players will be looking to build a dynamic team chemistry that will help them win their 2nd Isobel Cup in three years.
Special Thanks to Nathaniel A. Oliver of The Hockey Writers for his help.
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