NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. – On Thursday, December 20, three members of the Merrimack College women's ice hockey team were selected in the 2018 National Women's Hockey League (NWHL) draft, becoming the first ever members of the Merrimack program to play in the NWHL. Seniors
Katelyn Rae,
Paige Voight, and
Dominique Kremer were all chosen in day two of the NWHL Draft, with Rae claiming the highest pick in the third round.
The 2018 NWHL Draft was announced December 19-20, with the first two rounds of the draft being announced Wednesday and the following three rounds Thursday.
Rae, a forward from Courtice, Ontario, went 12
th overall in the third round to the Connecticut Whale. She will be joined by current teammate
Dominique Kremer, who was chosen by the Whale with the 17
th overall pick in the fourth round. Kremer, a West Fargo, North Dakota, native, has been a four-year member of the Warrior defense, being the only non-forward to be drafted from Merrimack.
One pick prior to Kremer, Voight was selected with the 16
th overall pick in the fourth round by the Metropolitan Riveters. Voight, from St. Michael, Minnesota, will play for the defending Isobel Cup champions, as the Riveters won in 2018 with a 1-0 final over the Buffalo Beauts.
The three draftees can begin playing as soon as they are no longer under NCAA rules, or graduate from Merrimack in May. The NWHL regular season concludes after 16 weeks of play, with the final weekend dates slated for March 2-3.
KATELYN RAE - CONNECTICUT WHALE
Through 19 games this season, Rae has been the leading scorer for the Warriors, netting 12 while picking up five assists for 17 points. Her +10 is tied for top of the team, has a game-winner and the only short-handed goal for the Warriors. The forward is closing in on 100 career points, with over 90 through her time with Merrimack.
PAIGE VOIGHT - METROPOLITAN RIVETERS
Voight's four-game goal streak through November was the difference maker during its six-game win streak. With four power play goals and one game-winner, the forward is second on the team in goals (9) and had 12 points total on the season. She currently sits with 70 career points at the midway point of the 2018-19 season.
DOMINIQUE KREMER - CONNECTICUT WHALE
Kremer's four goals and eight assists is the most among any defender on the team. Her +9 is second-best among Warrior defenders, and is currently tied for her career-high in goals for a single season. Kremer was one of the inaugural captains during the 2015-16 season, and sits with 47 career points.
ABOUT THE NATIONAL WOMEN'S HOCKEY LEAGUE
The NWHL is the first professional women's hockey league in North America. The inaugural season began October 11, 2015 with the Founding Four: Boston Pride, Buffalo Beauts, Connecticut Whale and New York Riveters. The Boston Pride became the first team in NWHL history to raise the Isobel Cup on March 12, 2016.
