The first ever NWHL International draft took place on Sunday July 25th. It was 1 round, with all 6 teams picking. Here was the draft order:
- Buffalo
- Connecticut
- Boston
- Toronto
- Metropolitan
- Minnesota
Round 1:
1- Buffalo Beauts – G Lovisa Berndtsson, Djurgardens IF
With the first pick, the Buffalo Beauts selected goalie Lovisa Berndtsson, who for the last 6 years has played for Djurgardens. She has spend 9 years in the SDHL, where she has posted a career 2.31 GAA and a career .915 Save Percentage. She is also a 1 time SDHL champion, which she won in 2016-17 with Djurgardens.
2- Connecticut Whale – F Tsubasa Sato, Karuizawa Fairys
The Japanese forward brings a lot of talent to the Whale. Great hands and puck movement are her game, and she can dish the puck well. She can go through you or around you, makes no difference. Check out some highlights here.
3- Boston Pride – F Evelina Raselli, Ladies Team Lugano
The Swiss forward has played in the SWHL league for 13 years, where she played for Ladies Team Lugano and SC Reinach Damen. In the 13 years she’s played in the SWHL, she has played 229 games, tallying 167 goals and adding another 177 assists for a total of 344 points. She also played 1 season in the SDHL for Brynas, where she played 16 games, scoring 1 goal and adding another 6 assists for 7 points. She is a 5 time SWHL champion, who also boasts a lot of international experience for the Swiss team, where she won bronze during the World Championships in 2011-12, and added an Olympic Bronze in 2013-14.
4- Toronto Six – F Reka Dabasi, KMH Budapest
The Hungarian forward has played 9 years in the EWHL, all for KMH Budapest. In those 9 years, she boasts leadership experience, having captained the team in 4 of those 9 years, and also has 1 year experience at alternate captain. She has played 105 games for the club, scoring 64 goals and adding 82 assists for 146 points. She also has a lot of international experience playing for Team Hungary.
5- Metropolitan Riveters – Romana Kosecka, SKP Bratislava
The Slovakian forward brings a lot of international experience, as well as playing experience at SKP Bratislava. She has played 84 games for the club, amassing 14 goals and adding 22 assists for 36 points. She also has experience playing in Sweden, where she played 24 games, tallying 17 goals and adding 9 assists for 26 points.
6- Minnesota Whitecaps – F Fanni Gasparics, MAC Budapest
Another player who boasts international playing experience with Team Hungary. She has spent her career playing in Hungary and Russia. During her time in Russia, she played 156 games for her respective clubs tallying 104 goals and adding another 100 assists for 204 points. She did win the Russian championship in 2017-18 with Agidel Ufa. During her time in Hungary, she played 45 games, scoring 68 goals and adding 49 assists for 117 points between KMH and MAC Budapest, but mostly for MAC Budapest.
Congratulations to all players selected!
TXHT will continue to provide NWHL coverage as more signings and news are announced.
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