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Girard, Whale agree on new contract terms

Taylor Girard (17) and the Whale reached an agreement on the second year of her two-year contract.  

Forward Taylor Girard and the Connecticut Whale have reached new contract terms for the second year of her two-year deal.

The team announced on Wednesday that Girard, who was the Premier Hockey Federation’s newcomer of the year in 2022, will have a salary of $110,000 for the 2023-24 campaign.

Girard is the third Whale player with a six-figure salary. On Tuesday, the Whale announced that they would play Kennedy Marchment a salary of $130,000 in the second year of her two-year deal with the team.

In April, Olympic gold medalist and eight-time world champion Kacey Bellamy, 35, signed a one-year deal to play with the Whale in 2023-24 for $122,000 with a $7,000 signing bonus.

“Taylor will undoubtedly again be one of our leaders,” Whale GM Alexis Moed said. “Utilizing her strength, speed, and puck protection; Taylor is an offensive powerhouse.”

Girard, a native of Macomb, Michigan who played at Quinnipiac, led the league in short-handed tallies last season with four. She was also ranked in the top four in the PHF in points (28), assists (18), and power play goals (4).

“I’m really looking forward to getting back to Connecticut,” said Girard. “I love the culture we are building here and I could not be more excited to compete for an Isobel Cup.”

The Premier Hockey Federation’s salary cap increased from $750,000 last season to $1.5 million per team.

Connecticut currently has six players under contract. Along with Marchment, Girard and Bellamy, Melissa Samoskevich and defenders Allie Munroe and Tori Howran are signed. Howran is scheduled to make $49,500 this season with Munroe set to make $52,800.

The league’s agreement with the players allows salary information to be released at the discretion of each athlete and with approval from the team. Marchment, Girard and Samoskevich did not disclose their salaries last season. Only six Whale players released their salaries last season.

The Whale went 14-8-2 last season and finished third in the PHF. Connecticut was eliminated in game three of the best-of-3 semifinals by eventual champion Isobel Cup champion Toronto.

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 40 years. He was inducted into the New England High School Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2018.

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