BUFFALO – The Buffalo Beauts have re-signed their top goal scorer from the 2020-21 NWHL season in Lake Placid. High-flying winger Autumn MacDougall makes her return to the team for her sophomore professional season. NWHL teams had the exclusive right to re-sign any of their 2020-21 rostered players up until May 15 at 5:00 p.m. MacDougall was re-signed during the restricted period.
“It means a great deal to me that I have the opportunity to return to the Beauts for Season 7,” said MacDougall. “I know that the Beauts have a lot more to give this season, and I can’t wait for everyone to see what we are going to do.”
MacDougall scored three goals in six games during her rookie NWHL season for Buffalo. She scored both of Buffalo’s goals in 4-2 loss to Toronto on Jan. 27. MacDougall followed that up with the team’s first goal of the game in a 2-1 victory over the Boston Pride on Jan. 30. Her overall plus-1 rating was tied for second best on the Beauts at the end of the 2020-21 season.
“Auttie is young and hungry,” said Beauts head coach Rhea Coad. “Her thirst for continued growth in the game is what makes her stand out from most others. We are excited to have such a talented, dedicated player back for another season with the Beauts.”
Buffalo selected MacDougall in the third round of the 2020 NWHL Draft with the 14th pick overall. She made history by being the first U Sports player ever drafted into the NWHL when she was chosen from the University of Alberta. The native of Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia generated 57 goals and 67 assists for 125 points in 139 games for the Pandas. MacDougall was one of the top-3 scorers in all of Canada for U Sports from 2017-18 through 2019-20.
Even though she led the Beauts in goal scoring this past season, MacDougall feels that she can be even more dangerous in 2021-22.
“One of my goals for this upcoming season is to improve my confidence with the puck and to be more of a threat all over the ice,” she said. “We have a very special team this coming season, and I’m excited to compete for the Isobel Cup.”
