Today the National Women’s Hockey League named a new General Manager for the Connecticut Whale during the 2016-17 season.

Lisa Giovanelli, Whale Assistant Coach, has earned the coveted GM spot. During the 2016-17, Gionvanelli will continue to be the Assistant Coach of the Whale as well as being the General Manager.

Lisa Giovanelli is an integral part of the Connecticut Whale organization, and we’re excited to have her return for the 2016-17 season as General Manager and Assistant Coach.”

• Dani Rylan – NWHL Commissioner (from press release)

This is not the first time Giovanelli will take on another role while coaching.

During Giovanelli’s six season stint (2002-2008) as Assistant Coach of the Quinnipiac Bobcats she also bore the name Recruiting Coordinator and Strength and Conditioning Coach. In 2006, she went so far as to become N.S.C.A. certified as a Strength and Conditioning Specialist.

The Lady Jr Wolfpack members of the new NEWJHL is proud to announce they have hired Lisa Giovanelli former Quinnipiac Women's Asst Coach.

— Jr Lady Wolfpack (@JrLadyPack) December 27, 2013

In between Quinnipiac and the NWHL, Giovanelli was the Head Coach of the NEWJHL’s Hartford Jr Lady Wolfpack for the 2014-15 season. This was the first girls team for the organization.

Giovanelli has a long history of success as a player which will be beneficial to her duties as a GM.

From 1994-97, Giovanelli played for the Connecticut Polar Bears where she was apart of three USA Hockey National Championships. The Polar Bears were the first all girls ice hockey program in Connecticut and have 11 National Championships to their name.

She would then go on to play four years at Northeastern University. While there Giovanelli scored 99 points, was named MVP of the 1998 Beanpot Tournament, and wore the mark of Captain on her sweater Senior year.

Giovanelli tried her hand at inline hockey and yet again found success. In 9 years, she has won 9 medals (3 gold, 3 silver, 3 bronze) while playing on the US National Inline Hockey Team. She also captained the team for 5 years.

Giovanelli knows what it takes to win and seal the deal. Which is exactly what the Connecticut Whale need for the upcoming season.