New York, NY – August 5, 2015: The NWHL (National Women’s Hockey League) announced today the signing of two players to the Buffalo Beauts, forward Hailey Browne (University of Maine) and goaltender Kimberly Sass (Colgate University).
Browne, an Oakville, Ontario native, played for the University of Maine Black Bears from 2012 to 2015. While at Maine, she appeared in 96 games and recorded 38 points (15g, 23a).
Before playing for the Black Bears, she spent her freshman year at Mercyhurst University in Erie, Pennsylvania, where she was named College Hockey America Rookie of the week. Browne was also a member of Team Canada’s U-18 International Ice Hockey Federation World Championship Team in 2011, which won a silver medal.
“I’m very excited to play in the NWHL, it is a huge step in the right direction for our sport,” Browne said. “I cannot wait to play with and against the best players in the world, and to be able to keep playing so close to home is unbelievable.”
Kimberly Sass grew up in East Amherst, New York and played goaltender for Colgate University from 2008 to 2012. While at Colgate, Sass had a 34-48-10 overall record, including 2,502 saves with a .906 save percentage.
Sass completed her senior year with a record of 10- 20-2 and finished the year ranked first in Colgate history for the most minutes played in a season (1,926:56), third in the most saves (876) and tied for fourth in the most shutouts (3).
“I am happy to be playing the sport I love at home in front of my friends and family at the HarborCenter,” Sass said. “I am excited to see women’s hockey and the inaugural season of the NWHL thrive in the midst of the ongoing redevelopment of the downtown Buffalo area, and I am proud to be a member of the Buffalo Beauts!”
