BUFFALO – Saying she “experienced an amazing first NWHL season with the Beauts,” All-Star defender Lenka Čurmová has decided to sign up for a second one. The longtime member of the Slovakian National Team has signed a contract for the 2020-21 season.

“We are elated to have Lenka back,” said Beauts head coach Pete Perram. “She was deservedly an All-Star in her rookie NWHL season. Lenka is a player that can play big minutes in all situations and a player that a coach can trust to ‘bring it’ day in and day out.”

Čurmová scored the Beauts’ first goal of the 2019-20 season, and in doing so, became the first Slovakian player to record a point in NWHL history. On Oct. 8, 2019, Čurmová was named the VEDA NWHL Player of the Week.

The 5-8 defender played in 23 of the Beauts’ 24 regular season games and tallied 3 goals and 8 assists for 11 points, Čurmová’s 23 blocked shots were the second most on the Beauts roster.

“I appreciate the opportunity to be a Beaut again,” said Čurmová. “I can’t wait to be back on the ice and to feel the power of our Buffalo Beauts fans.”

Čurmová, now 23, has played for Slovakia at the U18 and Women’s National Team levels in IIHF competition since she was 15 years old. She has played for the Slovakian Women’s National Team at five World Championships and one Olympic qualifier, captaining the team in 2018.

She also represented Slovakia at three U18 Division I-B World Championships, serving as an alternate captain in 2014 and team captain in 2015. In the 2015 tournament, she earned Best Defender honors, led all defenders in assists and points, and led the team to a bronze medal. Before the NWHL, Čurmová played for SKP Bratislava and ZHK Sarisanka Presov.