NEW YORK — PWHL free agency is now over, just seven days after it started. New York is the sixth and final team to sign it's inaugural three athletes to Standard Player Agreements.
The PWHL team based in New York has announced the signings of Alex Carpenter, Abby Roque and Micah Zandee-Hart, each to three-year contracts. Salary terms will not be disclosed, per the PWHL press release.
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"When you're building a championship-caliber team, you look for your cornerstone players," said New York general manager Pascal Daoust in the release.
"Signing Abby Roque, Micah Zandee-Hart, and Alex Carpenter isn't just about roster building, it's about setting the tone in the locker room and on the ice. They represent the heart of our foundation, the compete every player and coach respects, and the spirit our fans will rally behind. With them lacing up for us, every play and every moment will be a step closer to the culture of excellence we're crafting," he added.
The 25-year-old Roque is originally from Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., and played high school hockey there until her four-year career at the University of Wisconsin. She won a national championship with the Badgers in 2019 and was a top-three finalist for the Patty Kazmaier award as a senior. She played professionally in the PWHPA after her college career ended.
Roque has two U18 World medals, three World Championship medals and won silver at the 2022 Olympic Games. As a member of the Wahnapitae First Nation, she became the first ever Indigenous player to compete for Team USA at the Olympics in women's ice hockey.
"I'm so thrilled to be one of the first women signed in the PWHL," Roque said in the team's press release. "New York is an amazing city and such a great place to start a women’s ice hockey franchise. I couldn’t be more excited about the future of this league and this team. As the great Taylor Swift once said, 'welcome to New York!'”
Daoust said that Roque is a talented center and that she brings unparalleled work ethic along with exceptional skills and leadership to the new New York-based team.
Carpenter, 29, brings a lot of experience to Team New York. The native of North Reading, Mass., skated with The Governor's Academy and the East Coast Wizards before her NCAA career at Boston College. She won the prestigious Patty Kazmaier award as a junior with the Eagles and was the team's captain her senior season. After college, Carpenter played for the Boston Pride of the PHF prior to competing overseas in China for four seasons. She recently joined the PWHPA in 2022-23 and was a nominee for Forward of the Year.
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Carpenter has plenty of National Team experience, too. She has earned three U18 Worlds medals, eight IIHF Women's World Championship medals and has appeared in two Olympic Games.
“From the moment New York was announced as a franchise, I knew this would be a great opportunity both for me and women’s hockey and I can’t wait to get started," she said in the press release. "I would like to thank Pascal Daoust and his team for their professionalism throughout this process. It became clear to me in speaking with him that the organization is committed to qualities of hard work, accountability, and leadership, all which resonate with me personally and in my play."
Daoust said that the team is very excited about Carpenter as a center that brings a lot of offense to her game.
"Her relentless dedication, both during games and in training, perfectly mirrors the core values and vision we're championing as we strive for unparalleled excellence," he said.
Micah Zandee-Hart is the sole defender of the three signings. The 26-year-old hails from Saanichton, British Columbia, and competed with the Okanagan Hockey Academy prior to her collegiate career at Cornell. She became a captain for Big Red as just a sophomore. After the NCAA, she joined the PWHPA in 2020-21.
Zandee-Hart has won three World Championship medals and has many other honors at the U18 and U22 levels. She was the first skater from her province to play for Team Canada at the Olympic Games where she won a gold medal in 2022.
Last but far from least.
— PWHL New York (@PWHL_NewYork) September 8, 2023
Our tri-state trio is set.
📰 https://t.co/imSQ8IggqS pic.twitter.com/J0biZjbKBP
“This league has been years, even decades in the making, as it is the legends of our game who have paved the way for women’s hockey. I am grateful to these women, to my fellow players today, the PWHL board of directors, and specifically to the player board for their countless hours in making this a reality for us," she said in a press release.
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“Renowned for her leadership on a global scale and a playing style that aligns with our team’s values, Micah stands as a testament to the caliber of team we’re building. Our fans are in for a treat with her blend of talent and authenticity," said Daoust about Zandee-Hart.
All six PWHL teams have now announced their inaugural three signings. Fans can look forward to the PWHL Draft on Sept. 18.
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