BUFFALO – The Buffalo Beauts announced another major addition to their roster by signing defender Emma Keenan. The 5-foot-7 blueliner is a 2-time national champion with Clarkson University, and has played the past two seasons in the SDHL with Göteborg HC. She returns to North America to play her first season in the NWHL.
“I chose to sign with the Beauts because I feel the program has a great culture with tons of support and a strong fanbase,” said Keenan. “I’m excited to live in Buffalo and for the opportunity to play in the NWHL. I think the Beauts have a lot of potential for this upcoming season, and I’m excited to be part of a program that has big aspirations.”
Keenan played 66 games across her two seasons with Göteborg. She tallied 11 goals and 11 assists for 22 points during that time. In 2019-20 Keenan was part of a three-way tie for most points for Göteborg when she went 9-8-17 in scoring across 36 games.
“Emma is about as steady as they come for blueliners in our game, and she can play forward too if called upon to do so,” said Beauts General Manager Nate Oliver. “She played at a very high level collegiately and won two NCAA Championships with the Clarkson Golden Knights. Factor in her two solid seasons in the SDHL, and Emma has been playing with and against some of the finest players in the world for a while now. To be able to add her to our Beauts roster is a huge win for us for sure.”
Keenan played 156 NCAA games during her 4-year career at Clarkson. During that time, she was 4-35-39 for scoring and finished her collegiate career with a tremendous plus-76 for plus/minus rating. Keenan helped anchor the Golden Knights to NCAA Championship victories in 2016-17 and 2017-18. Her plus-40 as a senior in 2018-19 was the best on the Clarkson blue line and was the third best in the entire nation among defenders.
Beauts fans will enjoy Keenan’s robust style of play and her versatility.
“Fans can expect my game to be simple and reliable defensively, but with the ability to jump up in the rush. I’m a physical player who loves to battle in the corners and block shots. I pick my chances to join the offense and I am able to adjust my game in all situations.”
