BUFFALO – The Buffalo Beauts announced that they have added yet another one of their 2021 NWHL Draft selections. Defender Allison Attea has signed a contract to play for her hometown team. The Beauts selected her in the fourth round where she was chosen 19th overall. Attea made a name for herself playing hockey in the Western New York area before playing collegiately at Holy Cross. She is the fifth player from the Beauts’ 2021 draft class to have signed with the team.
“I am very excited to be playing hockey for the Buffalo Beauts in my hometown this season,” said Attea. “Buffalo has been home to me for my entire life, and it is a dream come true that I can continue playing hockey here. I am honored and grateful for this opportunity to continue playing hockey in our city.”
Attea played 111 NCAA games for Holy Cross, with 86 of them being at the Division I level. Across her four seasons with the Crusaders she amassed eight goals, 12 assists and 20 points. Primarily a stay-at-home defender, the 5-foot-7 Attea led all Holy Cross skaters in blocked shots during the 2019-20 (51) and 2020-21 (43) seasons.
“We were fortunate to get Allison from Holy Cross,” said Beauts assistant coach Mark Zarbo. “She isn’t a flashy player but she brings the intangibles that are necessary for any team to do well. She has a great stick, a knack for breaking up plays, blocking shots and creating turnovers. Allison will be an integral part of our team.”
Attea was highly accomplished before even beginning her collegiate career. She was named a WNY Scholar Athlete in 2016. Attea played her first two seasons of high school hockey at Sacred Heart Academy before completing her final two at The Nichols School. While playing for the Monsignor Martin team (as part of Sacred Heart) in the WNY Girls’ Varsity Ice Hockey Federation, she helped lead her team to the championship in 2015.
Attea joins an already solid Beauts’ defense corps comprised of Marie-Jo Pelletier, Lisa Chesson, Dominique Kremer, Emma Keenan, Sam Fieseler, and fellow rookie Emilie Harley. Attea’s style should fit in nicely and compliment those of her counterparts to complete a formidable blue line.
“I play a steady defensive game but I’m not afraid to join the offensive rush,” Attea said. “Fans can expect to see a lot of energy and physicality from me, especially in front of our net.”
