On June 6, for the third day in a row, the Minnesota Whitecaps made an addition to their roster for the upcoming season after they got here to phrases with Nicole Schammel who was a scoring star for the College of Minnesota. The 2 prior days they re-signed ahead Jonna Curtis and netminder Amanda Leveille.
Schammel led the Golden Gophers with 47 factors (16g-31a) in 39 video games final season as they made all of it the way in which to the Nationwide Championship for the tenth time in program historical past. “Nicole is a really clever hockey participant. She sees the ice extraordinarily properly and has the power to attain some large objectives,” stated Gophers coach Brad Frost. “She might be an exquisite addition to the Whitecaps.”
Just a few of the Whitecaps scoring stars aren’t anticipated again this season as they plan on not enjoying in any skilled leagues for a 12 months, so the addition of somebody with Schammel’s scoring prowess will hopefully help in offsetting these losses. “From a staff standpoint, the Whitecaps had an unimaginable first 12 months within the NWHL and I wish to assist them defend the Isobel Cup.”
Nicole Schammel indicators her contract with the Minnesota Whitecaps. (Picture courtesy of the NWHL)
Schammel Stays Residence
After enjoying her freshman season at Minnesota State, the place she led the staff in scoring with 22 factors (11g-11a), Schammel spent the ultimate three seasons of her collegiate profession with the Golden Gophers and completed with 91 factors (39-52) in 116 video games.
“Nicole is coming off an incredible 12 months with the Gophers, and we’re excited to have her be part of our offense this coming season,” stated Whitecaps co-coach Ronda Engelhardt. “Nicole has to make performs occur and be in the appropriate place on the proper time.”
Schammel is from Pink Wing, Minnesota, and along with enjoying for the Junior Whitecaps rising up, she additionally completed second all-time in Minnesota state highschool historical past with 457 factors for Pink Wing Excessive College.
“I’ve at all times revered and admired what the Whitecaps have achieved for ladies’s hockey in offering girls a spot to play after faculty,” Schammel stated within the press launch asserting her signing. “You will need to acknowledge Jack Brodt and the ladies who’ve performed for the Whitecaps over the previous 15 years as a result of with out them this chance wouldn’t be accessible.”
On the spot Offense
She described herself as a ‘inventive ahead’ and the most effective elements of her recreation are her playmaking and offensive ability set. “Being part of the Whitecaps group is a big honor and I couldn’t be extra excited to affix the staff and the NWHL. The visibility for ladies’s hockey has elevated over the previous few years. The alternatives accessible for ladies’s hockey gamers have improved and I hope to see these proceed to develop,” stated the 23-year-old who was the 23rd general decide (Buffalo Beauts) within the 2018 NWHL Draft.
“What makes this signing so particular is it highlights the which means of the Whitecaps and why the Whitecaps grew to become a staff within the first place,” stated Engelhardt of Schammel. “She is a participant that had the chance to look at the Whitecaps when she was youthful with a objective of sometime attending to play for the staff. She was additionally part of the Jr. Whitecaps, so we couldn’t be happier that her journey has introduced her right here and know that she might be a invaluable participant for our staff.”
That is what the Whitecaps roster at the moment seems to be like:
Goalie: Amanda Leveille
Ahead: Allie Thunstrom, Jonna Curtis, Nicole Schammel
The Minnesota Whitecaps have fun a objective. (Picture Credit score: Michelle Jay)
Starting Might 15, NWHL groups can re-sign gamers from their 2018-19 roster and their draft picks. Moreover, for these gamers who’ve accomplished their faculty eligibility and need to proceed their hockey careers, NWHL Free Company gives the most effective alternative to proceed enjoying on the highest degree girls’s hockey. The fifth season of the NWHL will start in October because the Minnesota Whitecaps look to defend their Isobel Cup championship.
My colleague Nathaniel Oliver will hold THW readers up-to-date on Buffalo and Boston’s signings all through the summer season, whereas I put up updates on Connecticut and the Riveters. Collectively we might be holding readers knowledgeable of all of Minnesota’s signings.
Curtis Again to Defend Minnesota’s Title
Boston Re-Indicators Ahead Mary Parker
Whitecaps Re-Signal 2x Cup Champion Amanda Leveille
