BUFFALO – The Buffalo Beauts announced today that they have signed their 2021 2nd-round draft selection Anjelica Diffendal. The signing is Buffalo’s second for a 2021 draftee and their second one from Robert Morris University. Diffendal was the first pick in the second round of the 2021 NWHL Draft and the seventh player selected overall.
“I am most excited about getting the opportunity to be able to play at the next level and compete against some of the best athletes,” said Diffendal. “Buffalo has talented players and hopefully I will be able to contribute to the team’s success. They have great organization and I am thankful for the chance to be a part of it. l cannot wait to get started!”
A native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Diffendal suited up for 122 NCAA games for her hometown RMU Colonials. Across that time the 6-foot skater tallied 24 goals, 16 assists and 40 points. Her finest offensive production came during her 2019-20 junior campaign when she set career highs for goals (9), assists (9) and points (18) through 36 games.
“We like a lot of what we see in Jell,” said Beauts General Manager Nate Oliver. “It is why we selected her as early as we did. For such a big body, she is a very deceptive player. If you look at the goals she has scored and the offense she has generated, you see that it is due to the fact that she can sneakily get behind the defense. We like her reach and her hockey sense. She is a quieter leader and earned a lot of respect during her time at RMU. We are very much looking forward to working with her.”
Diffendal is a product of the Pittsburgh Penguins Elite program throughout her teenage years. She was only the third Pittsburgh-born player in RMU’s women’s hockey history. During her senior season she helped lead the Colonials to their first CHA Tournament championship since 2017. Diffendal’s eight tallies in 25 games en route to the championship tied her for third most among RMU skaters. Four of her 24 career NCAA goals were game-winners.
Diffendal is eager to show Beauts fans what she is capable of on the ice. For those who have not had a chance to see her play before, they are bound to enjoy her style and flair.
“I hope to impress the fans with my deceptive speed,” Diffendal said. “I tend to be explosive in the neutral zone and sometimes catch the defense off guard. My teammates also liked to point out my goal celebrations, so I am hoping to bring some of that to each game as well!”
