Some news coming out of Buffalo today, as the Beauts are bringing back their leading scorer, forward Autumn MacDougall.
MacDougall played 6 games for the Beauts last season. In those 6 games she scored 3 goals, for 3 points during her rookie campaign. She’ll be looking to build on those numbers in her second year in the league.
You can check out the full press release here:
AUTTIE MAC IS BACK FOR THE BEAUTS
Buffalo, NY- The Buffalo Beauts have re-signed their top goal scorer from the 2020-21 NWHL season in Lake Placid. High-flying winger Autumn MacDougall makes her return to the team for her sophomore professional season. NWHL teams had the exclusive right to re-sign any of their 2020-21 rostered players up until May 15 at 5:00 p.m. MacDougall was re-signed during the restricted period.
“It means a great deal to me that I have the opportunity to return to the Beauts for Season 7,” said MacDougall. “I know that the Beauts have a lot more to give this season, and I can’t wait for everyone to see what we are going to do.”
MacDougall scored three goals in six games during her rookie NWHL season for Buffalo. She scored both of Buffalo’s goals in 4-2 loss to Toronto on Jan. 27. MacDougall followed that up with the team’s first goal of the game in a 2-1 victory over the Boston Pride on Jan. 30. Her overall plus-1 rating was tied for second best on the Beauts at the end of the 2020-21 season.
“Auttie is young and hungry,” said Beauts head coach Rhea Coad. “Her thirst for continued growth in the game is what makes her stand out from most others. We are excited to have such a talented, dedicated player back for another season with the Beauts.”
Buffalo selected MacDougall in the third round of the 2020 NWHL Draft with the 14th pick overall. She made history by being the first U Sports player ever drafted into the NWHL when she was chosen from the University of Alberta. The native of Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia generated 57 goals and 67 assists for 125 points in 139 games for the Pandas. MacDougall was one of the top-3 scorers in all of Canada for U Sports from 2017-18 through 2019-20.
Even though she led the Beauts in goal scoring this past season, MacDougall feels that she can be even more dangerous in 2021-22.
“One of my goals for this upcoming season is to improve my confidence with the puck and to be more of a threat all over the ice,” she said. “We have a very special team this coming season, and I’m excited to compete for the Isobel Cup.”
Further news from the NWHL today, this time coming from Toronto. The Six announced a new bench boss for the team heading into Season 7.
Previously, Mark Joslin was head coach of the Toronto Patriots of the Ontario Junior Hockey League. He will be the successor to Digit Murphy, who will keep her role as Team President.
You can check out the full press release here:
MARK JOSLIN APPOINTED HEAD COACH OF THE TORONTO SIX
by Justin Levine
Toronto, ON- The Toronto Six have appointed Mark Joslin as the team’s second head coach in franchise history. Joslin succeeds the position filled by Digit Murphy, who will remain in her current role as President of the hockey club.
“Mark brings a wealth of experience to the role of head coach, with a passion for skill development. He is a leader and understands women’s hockey needs players and coaches to work together to succeed,” said Digit Murphy, President of the Toronto Six. “He is someone who has spent his career educating and empowering the future, perfectly matching our pillars, and with his many successes, is the perfect fit to lead our team moving forward.”
Joslin has been involved at elite levels of the game for over 20 years and most recently spent four seasons with the Toronto Patriots of the Ontario Junior Hockey League between 2016-20. The first two seasons were in the general manager’s role before adding head coach to his title. Now after over a decade in men’s junior hockey, Joslin says making a difference is what led him to the Toronto Six.
“I just love where women’s hockey is right now and the direction it’s going,” said the new bench boss. “It’s been a dream of mine to always coach pro hockey. Signing on with the Toronto Six after talking to Digit and getting this opportunity with the only (NWHL) franchise in Canada is special. I think timing-wise and where I am in my career, it’s a great opportunity for me to come in and educate to hopefully make a difference for this organization and make a good run at this.”
Mixing his love of hockey and business, Joslin founded Joslin Elite Hockey Training in 2003 which runs and operates out of the Greater Toronto Area. He did so after spending three years as head instructor of Nikolai Borschevsky Hockey School. Being his introduction to coaching, Joslin was inspired to start his own camp which has since become a staple and one of the premier hockey training outfits in the GTA.
While just getting the skills camp off the ground, Joslin expanded his portfolio to include junior hockey and spent the 2004-05 season as an Ontario Hockey League scout with the Oshawa Generals. Involved in the league for six seasons, he joined the Barrie Colts and served as a member of their scouting staff from 2006-09.
His first coaching job in junior came in the OJHL working with the Aurora Tigers where they won a pair of accolades in his first of three seasons. The team was named Dudley Hewitt Champions, and Royal Bank Cup winners as the Tier II Junior “A” National Champions. From Aurora, he joined the Pickering Panthers, while named Director of Hockey Operations at Pickering College. Despite just one season there, Joslin remained a mainstay in the league with the Stouffville Spirit, and later, the North York Rangers. Between them, he worked in different capacities, climbing his way up the ranks from Head Coach to General Manager.
With a focus on superior skill development, Joslin received offers from outside programs through his strides as an instructor to continue shaping the future. This included gigs from 2011-13 with PEAC School for Athletes, Hill Academy and Champion Athletic Development.
Between his handful of duties, Joslin also worked in the Greater Toronto Hockey League from 1994-2014, serving as bench boss of four teams. With one being the North York Rangers, he was named through two years as associate and head coach before returning to Aurora for 2015-16. Joslin began his tenure with the Patriots the following year and was named 2018 OJHL Executive of the Year.
Delighted to have this new opportunity, Joslin can’t wait to get going and be a part of something special.
“It’s exciting and I’m looking forward to it and I love the support staff, Digit and others. I think it’s a great organization and I just want to come in and help and hopefully make a difference for all these young ladies.”
On-ice preparations for the NWHL’s reigning regular season champions is well underway with the Six already announcing the re-signing of captain Shiann Darkangelo, defender Emma Greco, and goaltender Elaine Chuli to Season 7 contracts.
RMU Petition:
It was announced that the funding for the Division 1 Men’s and Women’s hockey programs of Robert Morris University was cut. Here is the statement from RMU:
If you have the time, please consider signing the petition to help save RMU’s hockey programs, link provided:
Bring Back the RMU Hockey Programs Change.org Petition
https://www.gofundme.com/f/save-rmu-hockey
TXHT will continue to provide NWHL coverage as more signings and news are announced.
Sponsored by:
