Connecticut Whale (PHF)

The Connecticut Whale were a professional ice hockey team based in the Premier Hockey Federation (PHF). They played in Simsbury, Connecticut at the International Skating Center of Connecticut. The team was established in 2015 as one of the four charter franchises of the National Women's Hockey League (NWHL; renamed PHF in 2021). Their name and colors paid homage to the Hartford Whalers, a former NHL and WHA franchise based in Connecticut.

For the AHL team previously known as the Connecticut Whale, see Hartford Wolf Pack.
Connecticut Whale
CitySimsbury, Connecticut
LeaguePremier Hockey Federation
Founded2015 (2015)
Folded2023 (2023)
Home arenaInternational Skating Center of Connecticut[1]
ColorsWhite, blue, green
     
Owner(s)Shared Hockey Enterprises (SHE), LLC
General managerAlexis Moed[2]
Head coachColton Orr
CaptainShannon Turner
MediaESPN+
The Collinsville Press
Current season

History

For their first season, the Whale played home games in Stamford, Connecticut at Chelsea Piers. Chris Ardito was hired as the first general manager in franchise history,[3] while Jake Mastel and Lisa Giovanelli coached the team. The team is the second professional hockey team to bear the Connecticut Whale name, following the American Hockey League team previously and currently known as the Hartford Wolf Pack.

Among their off-season acquisitions, the Whale signed Kaleigh Fratkin to a contract on July 1, 2015. She was the first Canadian player to sign a contract in the NWHL.[4]

The team made its debut in the 2015–16 season. Jessica Koizumi was named first team captain in franchise history.[5] The first game in NWHL history was a sell out on October 11, 2015 between the New York Riveters and Connecticut Whale.[6] The Whale prevailed by a 4–1 tally as Jessica Koizumi scored the first goal in both franchise and NWHL history. In the same game, Kelli Stack had one goal and two assists, becoming the first player to record a multi-point performance. Whale goaltender Jaimie Leonoff was credited the win, capturing the game's First Star. Stack was recognized as the Second Star, and Kelly Babstock, who became the first Canadian-born player to score a goal in an NWHL regular season game, was acknowledged as the Third Star.

The Whale won their first three games in franchise history with three different goalies. In the first game, the Whale prevailed with Jaimie Leonoff, while former Quinnipiac goaltender Chelsea Laden captured the second win, and Nicole Stock played her first game in over five years to capture the third win on the road against the New York Riveters.

Prior to the team's second season, the Whale moved to the Northford Ice Pavilion in Northford, Connecticut.[7] This lasted one season as the Whale moved to the Terry Conners Ice Rink at Cove Island Park in Stamford, Connecticut, for the 2017–18 season.[8]

On August 20, 2018, the Whale named active player Cydney Roesler an assistant coach for the 2018–19 season making her the first player-coach in franchise history.[9]

After two seasons at Terry Conners Ice Rink, the Whale moved again to the larger Danbury Ice Arena in Danbury, Connecticut.[10] Former NHL enforcer Colton Orr was named as head coach for the 2019–20 season.[11] The team was eliminated in the semifinal game by the Boston Pride, the eventual league titlist, prior to the championship being cancelled by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The following season was then delayed amidst the capacity and travel restrictions during the pandemic. The 2020–21 season eventually started on January 23, 2021, with the entire season to be played at Herb Brooks Arena in Lake Placid, New York, without fans in attendance and teams kept in isolation. However, the Metropolitan Riveters were forced to withdraw from the two-week season on January 28 after several members of the organization tested positive for COVID-19.[12] The schedule was then adjusted to have the top three teams at the time play a round-robin tournament to determine playoff seeding with the Whale as the second seed. Connecticut then lost to the expansion Toronto Six 0–6 on January 31. The next day, the team forfeited their final game to the Minnesota Whitecaps and withdrew from the playoffs[13] citing concerns with increased positive cases within the bubble and protecting their players from the virus.[14] Two days later, the league suspended the season before the playoffs could commence due to several more positive tests throughout the league.[15] The league then re-scheduled the playoffs to be held at Warrior Ice Arena in Brighton, Massachusetts, with the Whale re-entered as the third seed to face the Minnesota Whitecaps, who they would have faced regardless of the outcome of the game the Whale withdrew from in Lake Placid, in a semifinal game.[16] The Whale then lost to the Whitecaps 7–0 in the semifinal game.

On May 10, 2021, the league announced it had sold the Whale to a new independent ownership group called Shared Hockey Enterprises (SHE), LLC, led by Tobin Kelly, reducing the league operated teams to three.[17][18]

Season-by-season records

Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, OTL = Overtime losses, SOL = Shootout losses, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against

SeasonGPWLOTLSOLPts[lower-alpha 1]GFGAPlayoffs
2015–161813500266151Lost Isobel Cup Semifinal series to Buffalo Beauts
2016–171851210116077Lost Isobel Cup Semifinal to Boston Pride
2017–18163112082655Lost Isobel Cup Semifinal to Metropolitan Riveters
2018–19162122062264Lost play-in game to Metropolitan Riveters
2019–202422020639100Lost Isobel Cup Semifinal to Boston Pride
2020–21422004912Lost Isobel Cup Semifinal to Minnesota Whitecaps
2021–222015320477444Lost Isobel Cup Final to Boston Pride
2022–232414820438366Lost Isobel Cup Semifinal to Toronto Six
PHF Totals1405673110151374469
  1. Starting with the 2021–22 season, 3 points are awarded for a regulation win, 2 points are awarded for an overtime/shootout win, 1 point is awarded for an overtime/shootout loss, 0 points are awarded for a regulation loss[19]

Team

Current roster

As of November 3, 2022[20][21]
No. Nat Player Pos S/G Age Acquired Birthplace
18 United States Hannah Bates D R 24 2021 Trenton, Michigan
United States Kacey Bellamy D L 36 2023 Providence, Rhode Island
88 United States Amanda Conway F R 25 2020 Methuen, Massachusetts
United States Kendall Cornine F R 26 2023 Livingston, New Jersey
17 United States Taylor Girard F L 25 2021 Macomb, Michigan
27 Slovakia Janka Hlinka F L 27 2021 Stratford, Connecticut
5 Canada Tori Howran D L 25 2020 Bancroft, Ontario
35 United States Abbie Ives G R 25 2020 Bedford Hills, New York
22 Canada Kennedy Marchment (A) F R 26 2021 Courtice, Ontario
12 United States Allie Munroe D L 26 2021 Yarmouth, Nova Scotia
Canada Maude Poulin-Labelle D L 23 2023 Sherbrooke, Quebec
14 United States Justine Reyes F R 26 2022 Chino Hills, California
81 Finland Meeri Räisänen G L 33 2022 Tampere, Finland
11 United States Melissa Samoskevich F L 26 2020 Sandy Hook, Connecticut
47 Czech Republic Lenka Serdar F L 26 2022 Lexington, Massachusetts
Sweden Emma Söderberg G L 31 2023 Örnsköldsvik, Sweden
74 United States Mallory Souliotis D L 27 2022 Acton, Massachusetts
9 United States Tori Sullivan F R 27 2022 West Bloomfield, Michigan
15 United States Emma Vlasic (A) F L 27 2019 Wilmette, Illinois
24 Austria Janine Weber (A) F L 32 2019 Innsbruck, Austria
8 United States Alyssa Wohlfeiler (A) F R 34 2020 Saugus, California

Coaching staff and team personnel

  • Head coach: Colton Orr
  • Assistant coach: Jeff Devenney
  • Assistant coach: Sue Merz
  • Consulting coach: Jack Han
  • Athletic trainer: Hailey Rock[22]

Team captains

Head coaches
  • Jake Mastel, 2015
  • Heather Linstad, 2015–2017
  • Ryan Equale, 2018–2019
  • Colton Orr, 2019–2023

General managers
  • Chris Ardito, 2015–2016
  • Lisa Giovanelli, 2016–2017
  • Bray Ketchum, 2019–2020[23]
  • Amy Scheer, 2020–21[24]
  • Alexis Moed, 2021–2023[2]

Draft history

Hannah Brandt from the Minnesota Golden Gophers women's ice hockey program became the first player in franchise history to be selected in the inaugural 2015 NWHL Draft.[25] Michelle Picard was the first defenseman selected in NWHL Draft history.

2015 NWHL Draft
Main article: 2015 NWHL Draft

The following were the Whale's selections in the 2015 NWHL Draft on June 20, 2015.[25]

Pick #NatPlayerPosCollege
2United StatesHannah BrandtFUniversity of Minnesota (Golden Gophers)
6United StatesMichelle PicardDHarvard University (Crimson)
10United StatesMilica McMillenDUniversity of Minnesota (Golden Gophers)
14United StatesMaryanne MenefeeFUniversity of Minnesota (Golden Gophers)
18CanadaCassandra PoudrierDCornell University (Big Red)

2016 NWHL Draft
Main article: 2016 NWHL Draft

The following were the Whale's selections in the 2016 NWHL Draft on June 18, 2016.[26]

Pick #NatPlayerPosCollege
3United StatesDani CameranesiFUniversity of Minnesota (Golden Gophers)
7United StatesAndie AnastosFBoston College (Eagles)
11CanadaMelissa ChannellDUniversity of Wisconsin (Badgers)
15United StatesPaige SavageFNortheastern University (Huskies)
19United StatesSydney RossmanGQuinnipiac University (Bobcats)

2017 NWHL Draft
Main article: 2017 NWHL Draft

The following were the Whale's selections in the 2017 NWHL Draft on August 17, 2017.[27]

Pick #NatPlayerPosCollege
5United StatesSam DonovanFBrown University (Bears)
9CanadaEden MurrayFYale University (Bulldogs)
13Czech RepublicDenisa KřížováFNortheastern University (Huskies)
17United StatesNina RodgersFBoston University (Terriers)

2018 NWHL Draft
Main article: 2018 NWHL Draft

The following were the Whale's selections in the 2018 NWHL Draft on December 19 and 20, 2018.

Pick #NatPlayerPosCollege
2United StatesMelissa SamoskevichFQuinnipiac University (Bobcats)
7United StatesMakenna NewkirkFBoston College (Eagles)
12CanadaKatelyn RaeFMerrimack College (Warriors)
17United StatesDominique KremerDMerrimack College (Warriors)
22United StatesMaggie LaGueDRobert Morris University (Colonials)

2020 NWHL Draft
Main article: 2020 NWHL Draft

The following were the Whale's selections in the 2020 NWHL Draft on April 28 and 29, 2020. Connecticut held the Metropolitan Riveters fifth round pick (27th overall), as the future considerations from the trade of Maria Sorokina to the Riveters in 2019.

Pick #NatPlayerPosCollege
2CanadaKayla FriesenFClarkson University (Golden Knights)
7CanadaVictoria HowranDUniversity of New Hampshire (Wildcats)
13CanadaSavannah RennieFSyracuse University (Orange)
19United StatesAmanda ConwayFNorwich University (Cadets)
25United StatesNicole GuagliardoFAdrian College (Bulldogs)
27United StatesMaddie BishopFSacred Heart University (Pioneers)

2021 NWHL Draft
Main article: 2021 NWHL Draft

The following were the Whale's selections in the 2021 NWHL Draft on June 29, 2021.

Pick #NatPlayerPosCollege
1United StatesTaylor GirardFQuinnipiac University (Bobcats)
8United StatesEmma PolaskiFSyracuse University (Orange)
20United StatesHannah BatesDSt. Cloud State University (Huskies)
26United StatesGrace MiddletonFUniversity of New Hampshire (Wildcats)

Franchise milestones and statistics leaders
See also: List of Connecticut Whale (PHF) records

As of the 2023-23 season:

MilestonePlayerNotes
First goalJessica KoizumiOctober 11, 2015
First multi-point gameKelli StackOctober 11, 2015
First winJaimie LeonoffOctober 11, 2015
Most pointsKennedy Marchment62 points (27G, 35A)
Most goalsKennedy Marchment27 goals
Most assistsShannon Turner42 assists
Most points per gameKennedy Marchment1.55 PPG
Most PIMShannon Turner120 PIM
Most Games PlayedShannon Turner128 GP

Awards and honors
  • Grace Kleinbach, 2021 Foundation Award[28]

References
  1. "Connecticut Whale Announce New Home Ice". Premier Hockey Federation (Press release). September 15, 2022. Archived from the original on September 20, 2022. Retrieved September 19, 2022.
  2. Bryant, Casey (June 23, 2021). "Connecticut Whale tap Alexis Moed as general manager". The Ice Garden. Archived from the original on June 23, 2021. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
  3. "The Whale Brings Pro Hockey Back to the Nutmeg State". NWHL.co. Archived from the original on June 17, 2015. Retrieved June 17, 2015.
  4. "Whale signs Kaleigh Fratkin, First Canadian in the NWHL". NWHL.co. July 1, 2015. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved January 6, 2016.
  5. Ciambra, Rob. "Whale Names Koizumi Captain and Fratkin Assistant Captain". NWHL.co. Archived from the original on November 20, 2015. Retrieved November 19, 2015.
  6. Clinton, Jared (October 7, 2015). "NWHL sells out inaugural game, Manon Rheaume to drop ceremonial puck in Buffalo". The Hockey News. Archived from the original on October 8, 2015. Retrieved October 11, 2015.
  7. "Whale Moves to Northford Ice Pavilion for Second Season". OurSports Central. May 5, 2016. Archived from the original on June 2, 2016. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
  8. "Whale Swim Home to Stamford". OurSports Central. May 5, 2016. Archived from the original on August 24, 2017. Retrieved August 8, 2017.
  9. "Cydney Roesler Named Assistant Coach". NWHL.zone. August 20, 2018. Retrieved August 23, 2018.
  10. "Danbury Arena the New Home of the Connecticut Whale". OurSports Central. July 8, 2019. Archived from the original on July 8, 2019. Retrieved July 8, 2019.
  11. "NHL Veteran Colton Orr, NWHL Veteran Laura Brennan to Coach Connecticut Whale". OurSports Central. September 17, 2019. Archived from the original on October 31, 2020. Retrieved September 18, 2019.
  12. "METROPOLITAN RIVETERS WITHDRAWN FROM NWHL SEASON". NWHL. January 28, 2021. Archived from the original on January 29, 2021. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
  13. "The Connecticut Whale have withdrawn from Lake Placid". SB Nation. February 1, 2021. Archived from the original on February 3, 2021. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
  14. @CTWhale_NWHL (February 3, 2021). "A statement from the Connecticut Whale" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  15. "Transcript: NWHL media availability on the suspension of the 2021 season". SB Nation. February 3, 2021. Archived from the original on February 15, 2021. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
  16. "NWHL TO AWARD ISOBEL CUP IN MARCH 2021". NWHL. March 8, 2021. Archived from the original on March 8, 2021. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
  17. "NWHL Announces Sale of the Connecticut Whale". OurSports Central. May 10, 2021. Archived from the original on May 10, 2021. Retrieved May 10, 2021.
  18. "Connecticut Whale sold, bolstering women's hockey league". Greenwich Time. May 10, 2021. Archived from the original on May 10, 2021. Retrieved May 10, 2021.
  19. Krotz, Paul (November 6, 2021). "PHF Announces Changes to Playing Regulations". PremierHockeyFederation.com. Premier Hockey Federation. Archived from the original on January 12, 2022. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  20. "Connecticut Whale, 2022-23 PHF – Roster". Premier Hockey Federation. Archived from the original on October 24, 2022. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  21. "Connecticut Whale, 2022-2023 Roster". Elite Prospects. Archived from the original on October 24, 2022. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  22. "Athletic Trainer Hailey Rock Brings Olympic Experience to Whale". Premier Hockey Federation. October 24, 2022. Archived from the original on November 5, 2022. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
  23. "Connecticut Native Bray Ketchum Takes over the Whale as General Manager". OurSports Central. April 20, 2019. Archived from the original on May 1, 2019. Retrieved May 1, 2019.
  24. "Amy Scheer Named GM of the Connecticut Whale". NWHL. August 20, 2020. Archived from the original on January 11, 2021. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
  25. "2015 NWHL Draft Recap". Archived from the original on June 26, 2015. Retrieved July 8, 2015.
  26. "First-round picks show how NWHL GMs view their teams". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on June 21, 2016. Retrieved June 21, 2016.
  27. "BOSTON COLLEGE'S KATIE BURT TOPS 2017 NWHL DRAFT". nwhl.zone. Archived from the original on August 20, 2017. Retrieved August 19, 2017.
  28. Paul Krotz (April 28, 2021). "NWHL ANNOUNCES 2021 AWARD RECIPIENTS". NWHL. Archived from the original on April 29, 2021. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
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