BUFFALO – The Buffalo Beauts and veteran forward Grace Klienbach have agreed to terms on a 1-year contract for the 2022-23 season. Klienbach is returning to the Beauts for her second straight season with the team and her fifth season in the Premier Hockey Federation. The much-beloved forward has won two consecutive PHF Foundation Awards for her positive outreach in the community through hockey.
“With this being my fifth season in the league, I wanted to come back to Buffalo because the Beauts create an environment where I can grow as both a hockey player and a person,” said Klienbach. “This organization truly does strive to do everything they can for their athletes and they treat us like the professionals we are. The staff goes above and beyond for us, and they become your family. I love being a Beaut and I am very excited to be back in blue and in front of our fans again!”
Klienbach played in all 20 regular-season games for the Beauts last season as well as the club’s lone postseason game. She went 0-2-2 for scoring during the regular season while primarily centering the Beauts’ checking line and helping to lead the charge on the penalty-killing unit. She was named the Beauts’ Player of the Game for her performance during the team’s 6-0 postseason loss to Boston in Tampa, Florida.
“I believe that Grace is one of the best utility players in the PHF,” said Beauts GM Nate Oliver. “She’s one of the most coachable athletes I have ever met as well, and she always puts the team first. Her ability to forecheck and grind down low really helps establish our puck control. Grace is also one of the fastest players too and she is devil-may-care when going up against the opposition.”
A native of Eustis, Florida, Klienbach played her collegiate hockey at Neumann University (NCAA DIII) and scored 21 goals, 30 assists, and 51 points in 100 career games. With her hard-nosed, physical style of play, she compiled 238 penalty minutes during her NCAA career as well.
Klienbach began her professional career with the Connecticut Whale during the 2017-18 season. She would play three seasons for the club before signing with the Beauts in August 2021. Klienbach represented the Whale at the 2020 All-Star Game in Boston. In 61 career regular-season games in the PHF, she is 2-10-12 for scoring. Klienbach also has one playoff goal in her four career postseason games.
“It is time for the Isobel Cup to come home to Buffalo,” Klienbach said. “This year to make that happen we need heart and drive. We need to make sure every workout, practice, and game we are playing with purpose. Everything we do this season will be with the intention of winning the Isobel Cup. ”
Outside of the PHF, Klienbach develops youth hockey players alongside her husband Shane Morrissey and their 14/94 Hockey program. She coaches the Philadelphia’s Little Flyers U14 Tier 2 Girls and recently led the team to a national championship back on April 4.
