The NWHL held their second annual entry draft at the end of June. Twenty women were drafted between the founding four teams.

This year the New York Riveters held the number one pick in the draft.

Let’s meet the five ladies the New York Riveters drafted in the 2016 draft.

Kelsey Koelzer – Defense – Princeton

During Koelzer’s freshman season at Princeton, she played in all 31 games scoring six goals and four assists. Most of her season was spent playing as a forward. At the end of the season, she was named to the ECAC All-Academic Team.

Koelzer turned the heat up Sophomore year by opening the season with a five-game point-scoring streak. Over 31 games she racked up 26 points in the form of eight goals and 18 assists. Those 26 points would give Koelzer the honors of being second on the team in scoring, first among all defenders in points, and first on the team with assists.

Junior year is where things really got exciting. In 33 games she tallied 16 assists and a career-high 17 goals to make a total of 33 points. Half of Koelzer’s goals were game-winning goals. It is clear Koelzer was a huge factor to Princeton’s success during her Junior year as she led the team with an on-ice rating of +25. Her team awarded her the Elizabeth English trophy because of her positive presence on the ice.

The Elizabeth English trophy is named in honor of 1975 graduate, Elizabeth English, who helped establish women’s hockey at Princeton. It is given to the player whose teammates deem the most valuable.

Sydney Daniels – Forward – Harvard

In high school, Daniels played for Westminister High School where she  was a two-time MVP. During her time with Westminister, they won four Founder League championships and were back-to-back New England Champs.

Daniels was also the U-19 Assabet Valley captain helping them win three National Championships and four State Championships.

While playing for USA’s U-18 team, Daniels earned a gold and silver medal.

During her first three years at Harvard, Daniels scored 48 goals and 22 assists over the course of 98 games.  During Junior year, Daniels was named to the All-Ivy League first team and All-ECAC Hockey Second team.

Jenny Ryan – Forward – Wisconsin

The North American Hockey Academy was home to Ryan for the four years prior to Wisconsin. Sophomore year she became assistant captain and the team won the Junior Women’s Hockey League title.

Her Junior year brought even more success as the team won the league title again.

When Senior year rolled around the North American Hockey Academy named Ryan their fearless leader.

During the 2013-14 season, Ryan skated 33 times for the Wisconsin Badgers but only managed to rack up six points (1G, 5A).

Ryan blew her 2013-14 season stats out of the water during the 2014-15 season by scoring 22 points over the course of 40 games. Due to her strong showing in the beginning of the season, Team USA invited Ryan to their USA Hockey Winter Camp. This helped light a fire under Ryan and she helped lead the Badgers to their NCAA Quarterfinals win over Boston University.

By the end of the season, Ryan racked up a multitude of awards ranging from NCAA Elite 89 to Academic All-Big Ten to WCHA All-Academic Team.

When Junior year rolled around Ryan was ready to show the world her skill. Ryan skated in all 40 games scoring 32 points in the form of 8 goals and 24 assists. She also led the team with a plus/minus rating of +49 and blocks (54).

Sydney McKibbon – Forward – Wisconsin

McKibbon spent two years playing for the Stoney Creek Junior Sabres where she was the team leader in goals and assists.

Before heading to Wisconsin, McKibbon won a bronze medal while playing with Team Ontario in the 2012 Canadian National Championship.

In Wisconsin’s season opener against Minnesota Sate McKibbon scored her first collegiate goal. A few games later she would assist on three goals in Wisconsin’s 4-1 win over Lindenwood. At the end of the season, she would notch 16 points over the course of 38 games.

During Sophomore (2014-15) year, McKibbon appeared in all 40 games notching 10 goals and 16 assists. She would go on to score the game-winner in the WCHA Final Faceoff win against North Dakota.

McKibbon turned up the heat Junior year tallying 36 points and a +27 over 40 games. 419 faceoff wins and .605 faceoff winning percentage put McKibbon atop of the team in both of those categories.

The post season is where McKibbon shone brightly. Over the span of six games, she racked up seven points putting her number one on the leaderboard in scoring for the team.

This display earned her the honor of being named to the WCHA Final Face-off All-Tournament Team.

Amy Menke – Forward – North Dakota

Menke spent five years as a varsity skater for the Shakopee Sabres during her pre-collegiate career. While there Menke was bestowed the honor of team captain twice (2011 and 2012).

In 2012, Menke was named MVP and an All-State honorable mention after producing 43 goals.

Menke would then decide upon North Dakota as her landing spot for college.

During the 2013-14 season (freshman) Menke didn’t score her first goal until November 2nd against Bemidji State. The wait was worth it as she scored multiple goals during the game.

She would go on to finish the season playing in 36 games racking up 13 points, 89 shots on goal, and a plus/minus rating of +8.

Menke would put a little pep in her step during the 2014-15 season tallying 28 points in the form of 15 goals and 13 assists.

She would end the 2014-15 season third on the team in points and second on the team in goals.

During the 2015-16 season, Menke had a career-high 40 points in the form of 19 goals and 21 assists.

The New York Riveters kick off the 2016-7 season against the Boston Pride on October 8th.