One more preseason game for Whale; Olympian Stack signs with team

STAMFORD – The Connecticut Whale women’s hockey team has one more preseason game left before they drop the puck in the National Women’s Hockey League’s (NWHL) first-ever game on October 10 in Stamford.

Connecticut will take to the ice again on Saturday, Oct. 3, at Chelsea Piers in Stamford to host the Minnesota Whitecaps at 4:30 p.m. The Whitecaps are a pro team in the Western Women’s Hockey League. All tickets are $5 but free for season ticket holders with proof of the season ticket package.

Last week, two-time U.S. Olympic silver medalist Kelli Stack has signed with Connecticut. “I am hoping to bring a winning mentality to the Whale this season,” said Stack, “I take pride in working hard on and off the ice and I will set a good example for our team and bring out the best in my teammates.”

Stack dominated the college game at Boston College, breaking program scoring records with 209 points and 111 assists in 140 games played. She was the first player to become a three-time Hockey East Player of the Year, and was a two-time conference scoring champion as well.

Stack’s career with Team USA so far has been highlighted by two Olympic silver medals in 2010 and 2014 and three IIHF Women’s World Championship gold medals.

At the most recent Winter Olympics, Stack put up a goal and four assists in five games with the Americans. Perhaps her most dominating performance on the international stage came back in 2012, when the U.S. earned a silver medal at the world championships. Stack was named the Best Forward of the Tournament while finishing second in tournament scoring with 13 points and first with eight assists.

The Whale opens the first NWHL season on Saturday, Oct. 10, when they host the New York Riveters in the first-ever NWHL contest at 1:30 p.m. at Chelsea Piers in Stamford.