The Connecticut Whale have acquired another U.S. national team player. The Whale shipped their 2017 first round pick and future considerations to Boston for forward Zoe Hickel on Tuesday.
Hickel, 24, is a member of the U.S. national team along with Connecticut’s Kelli Stack, Haley Skarupa and Dana Trivigno. Hickel has scored one goal with five assists in 12 games this season with defending National Women’s Hockey League champion Boston. She had three goals and four assists for seven points in the 2015-16 season when the Pride won the first Isobel Cup championship.
“We feel Zoe will be a great addition to our lineup and add excellent depth to our forwards,” said Lisa Giovanelli, Connecticut’s general manager. “We are happy to be able to afford her this opportunity to jump into a bigger role in Connecticut. Acquiring Zoe is a huge step for the Whale in our quest for the Isobel Cup.”
Hickel goes from first place Boston (12-0) to the last place team in the league – Connecticut (4-10), who have lost a franchise-high six straight games.
Hickel, who agreed to the trade, informed her Pride teammates of the news this morning. She will be playing in the NWHL’s All-Star Game this weekend and will be in uniform for Connecticut on Sunday, Feb. 19 when the Whale travel to New York.
She is a 5-foot-6 forward from Anchorage, Alaska. She played her collegiate hockey at the University of Minnesota-Duluth where she scored 46 goals and had 47 assists in four years of action. Hickel played on Team USA at the world championships in 2015 and 2016.
“As an organization, we pride ourselves on putting the players first, supporting their development, and preparing them for the national team stage,” said Boston general manager Hayley Moore. “We made this move so Zoe will have the opportunity to play a new role for the Whale. We wish her the best in Connecticut and beyond.”
Gerry deSimas, Jr., is the editor and founder of The Collinsville Press. He is an award-winning writer and has been covering sports in Connecticut and New England for more than 30 years.


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2025 NCCC Winter Tournaments

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