MANCHESTER, N.H. – Saint Anselm College women's ice hockey assistant coach
Kate Leary has re-signed a professional ice hockey contract and will compete in a unique, shortened 2021 season with the Metropolitan Riveters of the National Women's Hockey League (NWHL).
The shortened season will take place in a "bubble" and run from Thursday, Jan. 21 through Friday, Feb. 5 at the
Herb Brooks Arena in Lake Placid, N.Y. The season will require the NWHL players to compete for a continuous two-week period, where they will be safely quarantined within the Olympic Center. Leary and the Riveters will get their season underway on Saturday, Jan. 23 against the Toronto Six at 1 p.m.
With help and guidance from USA Hockey, the NWHL's season will feature an all-female officiating staff. The NWHL Isobel Cup Semifinals and Championship game are scheduled to air live on NBC Sports Network on Thursday, Feb. 4 and Friday, Feb. 5.
"I am so grateful that Saint Anselm has allowed me to participate in the NWHL this year," said Leary. "The unique bubble season will showcase some of the best women's ice hockey in the world on a huge stage. I look forward to competing and representing the College on a national platform."
The Boston College graduate joined the Saint Anselm staff in October 2020 after an accomplished collegiate career with the Eagles, scoring 42 goals and 43 assists for 85 points (42-43=85) in 149 games and helping the Eagles to four NCAA National Collegiate postseason appearances and three Frozen Fours.
Following her Eagles career, Leary played in the Canadian Women's Hockey League (CWHL) with the Boston Blades for two seasons. She then skated with the Hockey Club Ladies Lugano in Switzerland for the Swiss Women's Hockey League A. Most recently, Leary played in the National Women's Hockey League (NWHL) with the Metropolitan Riveters where she was named NWHL Newcomer of the Year after the 2019-20 season.
During her first season with the Riveters, the forward netted a team-record 16 goals to go along with 11 assists for 27 points (16-11=22) in 22 games. She was selected to participate in the NWHL All-Star Weekend in Boston that same year.
"We are very excited for Kate and the opportunity to be a part of women's ice hockey history," commented Head Coach
Kerstin Matthews. "Kate has been a great addition to our staff. Her strong playing background and passion to grow the sport of women's ice hockey has been a great asset in developing our student-athletes. We are thrilled to be able to see her compete at the professional level and bring back valuable experience to the program."
