Buffalo, NY — Kelley Steadman has signed a contract with the Buffalo Beauts for the 2016-17 season, General Manager Ric Seiling announced Wednesday. Steadman and the Beauts agreed to terms on a one-year, $15,000 contract.
“When you talk about impact players, automatically the name Kelley Steadman comes to mind,” said Seiling. “This year, she will no longer be a practice player. As part of last season’s run for the Isobel Cup, she has felt our pain of falling just shy of it. I look for Kelley to pick up where we left off and help lead us to complete our goal.”
Steadman led the league in average points per game (2.00), with 20 points (13g, 7a) in 10 games played. The forward is the first former practice player to sign a contract with an NWHL team for the 2016-17 season.
“I’m really excited to be back in the NWHL next season, and there’s no team I would rather play for than the Buffalo Beauts,” said Steadman. “The end to our season last year showed the blue collar, hard-working attitude of the organization, and I’m excited to play for Ric and for a chance at the Isobel Cup for the second year in a row. I hope to help contribute to the Beauts success next year any way I can and play in front of the best fans in the NWHL again.”
Restricted free agency began April 1 and lasted until April 30. Free agency began May 1 and lasts until July 31. The 2016 NWHL 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.
