Engstrom signs with NWHL's Connecticut Whale
August 18, 2015 | Women's Hockey
Olympian becomes third UW grad to join new league
MADISON, Wis. -- Two-time Olympian Molly Engstrom became the latest former Wisconsin women's hockey player to join the National Women's Hockey League, as she signed a deal with the Connecticut Whale on Monday.
Engstrom earned a silver medal as a member of Team USA, led by UW head coach Mark Johnson, at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. The Siren, Wisconsin native was named the best defenseman in the tournament and was selected to the media all-star team after a seven-point performance in five games. She also helped the U.S. capture bronze at the 2006 Olympic Winter Games.
In addition to playing in the Olympics, Engstrom played in six IIHF Women's World Championship where she helped the United States capture four gold medals (2005, 2008, 2009, 2011) and two silver medals (2004, 2007). She earned the directorate award as the tournament's top defenseman in 2007.
Engstrom suited up for Wisconsin from 2001-05, earning first-team All-America honors her senior year. She was a two-time WCHA Defensive Player of the Year and led the Badgers' to their first NCAA tournament appearance in 2005 as an alternate captain. Engstrom and fellow blueliner Carla MacLeod became the first players in program history to be a top-10 finalist for the Patty Kazmiaer Memorial Award. Engstrom concluded her collegiate career with 28 goals, 57 assists and 85 points.
Engstrom joins fellow UW grads Madison Packer and Brooke Ammerman in the upstart league, as Packer and Ammerman signed with the New York Riveters. In addition, senior Courtney Burke was selected in the 2015 NWHL Junior Draft in the first round by the Buffalo Beauts and will have the opportunity to sign with the team once she graduates from Wisconsin.
The inaugural NWHL season will take place from October to March, including a preseason, an All-Star weekend and playoffs. The puck is set to drop for the regular season on Oct. 17 and the playoffs will conclude the season in March. Each team will have two organized practices per week and play one game each weekend (nine home games and nine away games).
