The Fearless, Frozen Females of Hockey

In the aftermath of the fourth annual CWHL Draft, the legend of the event continues to grow. While said draft lacked the significant star power of the 2012 edition, a historic first-round shaped its legacy. While the Alberta Hockey Club became the first franchise in draft history to have the first pick overall in successive years, their selection would help create history not just one, but twice. Image by WCHA.com Hailing from Baddeck , Nova Scotia , Jessica Wong spent the last four seasons as an integral component of the Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs. From helping Canada’s Under-22/Development Team grab the gold medal at the Meco Cup to scoring one of the most famous goals in women’s hockey (a triple overtime winner against Cornell in the 2010 NCAA Frozen Four title game), her presence helps make Alberta a postseason contender. Alberta ’s selection of Wong makes her the first visible minority chosen with the first-pick overall in draft history. Having played on both offe

In action against Jenelle Rogers of St. Mary's Photo credit: Ingrid Bulmer Of all the players that have declared for the 2013 CWHL Draft, none may boast a resume as impressive as Kristy Garrow. Having competed with the St. Francis Xavier X-Women, she helped transform the program into a national power. As the first goaltender from Canadian Interuniversity Sport to declare for the draft, she might easily be the finest one. Her solid presence between the pipes helped transform the X-Women into a national power. At the 2010 CIS Nationals, she would help the X-Women become the first team from Atlantic University Sport conference to win a silver medal. On multiple occasions during her CIS career, she would post winning percentages of 1.000 during the regular season. Her final season (2012-13) with the X-Women may have been her finest. She posted a remarkable won-loss record of 11-0. This was complemented by four shutouts, only nine goals against (for a miniscule 0.80 GAA) and

With CWHL roster stripped of star players due to commitments for the upcoming 2014 Sochi Winter Games, Northeastern Huskies stars Casey Pickett and Rachel Llanes may help fill that gap. Having each helped the Boston-based university club to consecutive Beanpot championships, their on-ice leadership and offensive skills place them among the top prospects in the 2013 CWHL Draft. Playing together on a line with All-America selection Kendall Coyne, the trio accounted for 51 percent of the Huskies goals during the 2012-13 season. Perhaps more impressive was the fact that all three reached the 100-point plateau. Of note, Pickett and Llanes would each finish their senior seasons with career highs in points. Casey Pickett , who describes herself as a playmaker, hard-working and committed, dons number 14 to signify her birthday (December 14). The 5’4” spitfire ranks among the Top15 scorers in Huskies history. Hailing from Wilmington, Massachusetts, her senior year was one to remember