New York, NY — Lisa Giovanelli has been named General Manager of the Connecticut Whale, NWHL Commissioner Dani Rylan announced Friday.
“Lisa Giovanelli is an integral part of the Connecticut Whale organization, and we’re excited to have her return for the 2016-2017 season as general manager and assistant coach,” said Commissioner Rylan.
Lisa Giovanelli served as assistant coach of the Whale last season, guiding the team to a 13-5-0 regular season record.
“I’m very honored and excited to continue as assistant coach and to add the role of GM for this upcoming season,” said Giovanelli. “I’m proud to have been a part of the inaugural season of the NWHL and I truly believe that the best is yet to come for our sport, this league, and for the Connecticut Whale organization.”
A native of West Haven, CT, Giovanelli previously was the assistant coach of the Quinnipiac Bobcats, and has won five gold medals, three silver and two bronze with the U.S. Women’s Inline Hockey Team. During her collegiate career with the Northeastern Huskies, Giovanelli was named MVP of the Beanpot and was named assistant captain her senior year.
“To build our team this year I’m looking for players who have great character and will help us create good team chemistry on and off the ice,” said Giovanelli. “The talent level is going to be even higher than it was this past season, so to be successful we need to be committed to working hard every shift and playing disciplined in every zone.”
Free agency begins May 1 and lasts until July 31. The 2016 Junior Draft is June 18.
About the National Women’s Hockey League (NWHL)
The NWHL is the first professional women’s hockey league in North America to pay its players. The inaugural season began October 11, 2015 with the Founding Four: Boston Pride, Buffalo Beauts, Connecticut Whale and New York Riveters. The Boston Pride became the first team in NWHL history to raise the Isobel Cup on March 12, 2016.
