BUFFALO – The Buffalo Beauts have signed forward Summer-Rae Dobson to a 2-year contract for the 2022-23 and 2023-24 Premier Hockey Federation seasons. Dobson recently completed her NCAA career this past season with the University of Connecticut Huskies, following four prior seasons with the Mercyhurst University Lakers. The high-energy forward is primed to begin her professional career and to do so with Buffalo.
“I chose to play for the Buffalo Beauts because of the amazing culture they have built over the years in this league,” said Dobson “Right away after talking to the staff, I knew that this place was the best fit for me. The Beauts have always been a team with great work ethic and character, and it is an honor to now call Buffalo home.”
Dobson played 162 NCAA games in a 5-year collegiate career that was primarily played for Mercyhurst from the 2017-18 season through 2020-21. She would play her fifth and final season with UCONN during the recent 2021-22 campaign. Across her 162 games, Dobson scored 51 goals, 57 assists, and 108 points. 18 of her 51 goals came on the power play while 13 were game-winners. The Beauts sought to add her to make improvements in both special teams and finishing around the net.
“We love Summer-Rae’s enthusiasm and her energy,” said Beauts GM Nate Oliver. “She is a very spirited player, and it comes across in her game. We are excited to reconnect Summer-Rae with Emma Nuutinen, as the two were linemates at Mercyhurst and made for a very potent duo. They have a real affinity for each other. But no matter who Summer-Rae is on a line with, she brings the same intensity every shift and plays a complete game. She can be that shot in the arm when you need a clutch goal –whether she’s scoring it herself or setting up a teammate.”
Dobson placed second on the Lakers in scoring for both the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons just behind her linemate Nuutinen. She was named to the 2019-20 CHA All-Tournament Team while with Mercyhurst and helped the Lakers win the CHA title in both 2018 and 2020. With UCONN, Dobson tied for the team lead in goals with 13 tallies in 37 games last season. She never played an NCAA season in which she was a minus player.
She played for Ridley College preparatory school prior to beginning her collegiate career and served as team captain in 2016-17. Dobson was a member of the 2016 Team Ontario Blue U18’s national team for Canada.
Now Dobson is excited to show the Buffalo faithful what she can do.
“Beauts fans can expect a hard-working, 200-foot reliable player that will never give up,” she said. “I love playing on the offensive-side of the puck as well as protecting our own net. I love being part of a team and I always will put my teammates first. I cannot wait to play in front of the best fans in the league”.
