New York, New York — The NWHL (National Women’s Hockey League) announced today the signing of three additional players, Rachel Llanes (Northeastern University) to the Boston Pride and Hayley Williams (Miami University) and Paige Harrington (UMass Amerst) to the Buffalo Beauts.
Rachel Llanes grew up in San Jose, California and went on to play forward at Northeastern University. In the 2012-2013 season, the forward played in all 36 games for the Huskies, finishing third on her team and tenth in the league with 38 points (14g, 24a). In 2012, Llanes was named the Northeastern Seventh Player Award, an award which is given to the player who “goes beyond the call of duty and most exceeds the teams expectations.”
As a sophomore, she was named a WHEA Honorable Mention All-Star. Llanes was selected by the Boston Blades in the 2013 CWHL Draft and was a two-time Clarkson Cup Champion with the Blades.
“It’s an honor to be able to contribute to growing women’s hockey,” said Llanes. “The NWHL has taken a big step for the sport, it’s exciting to be a part of it.”
Hayley Williams began her collegiate hockey career in 2009 at Bemidji State University in Minnesota, where she played both hockey and softball. For the 2013-2014 season, Williams transferred to Robert Morris University where she lead the RMU Eagles in goals (16) and points (32) which ranked her third in all of ACHA for scoring.
The Crete, Illinois native finished out her collegiate season with the Miami University Redhawks in Ohio. She skated in 25 games and accumulated 53 points (27g, 26a) and played in five playoff games leading to three goals. She was selected to play in the 2013 and 2015 U.S. Women’s National University Team and was named 2014 ACHA Women’s Division I Player of the Year and First All- American Team.
“I will not be outworked. Not on the ice, not off the ice, not in any aspect of life,” said Williams. “When it is all said and done, I know I did everything in my power to get to where I end up. It’s not up to anyone else but me.”
Paige Harrington grew up in Mansfield, Massachusetts and played as a defenseman for the University of Massachusetts after transferring from Penn State after her freshman year. In her senior year with the Minutewomen in 2015, Harrington appeared in 28 games, posting 26 points (10g, 16a) and co-captained the team to an ECWHL Conference title.
That same year, she was named a First Team All-Conference player and First Team All-American. Harrington played on the 2013 and 2015 U.S. Women’s National University Team at the Winter World University Games, where they took home a bronze medal in 2013.
“I hope to make my teammates proud and help bring the Isobel cup home to Buffalo,” Harrington said. “I know that Buffalo is a city that loves their sports and I am thrilled to become a Buffalo Beaut.” Follow Rachel Llanes (@RachLlanes11), Hayley Williams (@haywilliathlete) and Paige Harrington (@ona_ramPAIGE) on Twitter.
