BUFFALO – High-energy defender Whitney Dove is returning to the Buffalo Beauts after playing a season in Europe. The Beauts announced that they have signed Dove to a 1-year contract for the 2022-23 Premier Hockey Federation season. Additional terms of the agreement will not be disclosed. The 5-foot-5 native of Port Moody, British Columbia previously played for the Beauts during the 2020 -21 PHF season. Dove played six games for KMH Budapest last season in the Elite Women’s Hockey League (EWHL) and recorded a pair of assists. She is excited for her return to the Beauts organization.
“Playing in the EWHL was a fun experience, but I knew I still wanted to play another year of competitive hockey in the PHF,” said Dove. “I’m very driven and I still have a lot more to give to the game. I wanted to play in a league where I would get the highest level of competition. I had a great experience with the Buffalo Beauts in Season 6, and I wanted to be able to experience a full season with them where Covid wasn’t a factor. I feel I have some unfinished business that I want to look after.”
Dove was one of the Beauts most impactful players during the 2020-21 season held in Lake Placid, New York. She played in all six of Buffalo’s games and tied for the league lead in penalty minutes (21) along with Toronto’s Shiann Darkangelo. Dove was one of just three Beauts players to finish the season as a plus-player for plus/minus and she blocked 10 shots. Her assist came on Autumn MacDougall’s second goal of the game on Jan. 27, 2021 in a 4-2 loss to Toronto.
“I think the argument could be made that Whit was our best player in Lake Placid,” said Beauts GM Nate Oliver. “We are very excited to have her back in a Beauts’ jersey. Whit’s hustle and drive really separate her from the rest of the pack. It’ll be nice to watch her play in a full season. I have always said that Whit’s shot reminds me of a really good pitcher in baseball – she’s able to hide her delivery until the very last split-second. She is very deceptive in that regard, and it will be advantageous for us that she is controlling the point.”
Dove played her NCAA D-I career with the Providence College Friars where she was teammates with fellow Beaut Cassidy MacPherson. She was 26-53-79 in scoring during her 145-game collegiate career. In her senior season, Dove shared the team lead in scoring (9-19-28 in 36 games) and was first on the Friars in assists. Such a performance saw her named a 2020 Hockey East Second Team All-Star.
“I’m excited to be back with the Beauts and bring my hard work and grit to the team,” said Dove. “I pride myself on my drive to compete and my will to win. I know that my determination and offensive threat on the ice will help the Beauts find success this year.”
