Beginning June 1, NWHL teams can re-sign players from their 2017-18 roster and
their draft picks. Additionally, for those players who have completed their
college eligibility and want to continue their hockey careers, NWHL Free Agency
 provides the best opportunity to continue playing at the highest level of
professional women's hockey. The fourth season of the NWHL will begin in
October as the Metropolitan Riveters defend their Isobel Cup championship, and
with the addition of a fifth team - the Minnesota Whitecaps - this will be the
most competitive season yet.

My colleague Dan Rice will keep THW readers up-to-date on Metropolitan and
Connecticut's signings throughout the summer, while I post updates on Buffalo
and Boston. Together we will be keeping readers informed of all of Minnesota';s
 signings. 

Whale Re-Sign Beattie and Sign Four Others

Riveters Add Rookie Audra Richards

Whale Re-Sign Ade & Fluke for Second Season

The Buffalo Beauts have brought back one of their native daughters. After a
year in China in which she played for the Vanke Rays, formerly of the CWHL,
Western New York native Emily Janiga has returned to her hometown and the team
she helped win the 2017 Isobel Cup championship. Every time that it seems the
Beauts cannot possibly make another big signing, they blow that notion right
out of the water. Though Janiga may not carry the same weight that signing
another Olympian would, her signing is a very heartfelt one stemming namely
from her Buffalo upbringing and from the fact that she brought a professional
sports trophy to a winning-starved town. It means a great deal to the people of
 Buffalo that she is back with the club. Not surprisingly, it means a great
deal to her as well.Emily Janiga is back playing in her hometown and with the
team whom she helped win the 2017 Isobel Cup (Photo Credit: Pat McCarthy).

"I'd like to thank the Beauts for bringing me home and giving me another chance
 to play in front of our great fans at HarborCenter," Janiga said via an NWHL
press release announcing her signing. "I'm excited to be a part of such a great
 organization and I can't wait for the season to begin."

For a Beauts team that is already chock-full of talent, Janiga becomes yet
another sizable player with a knack for generating offense. The Beauts
definitely have the NWHL monopoly in that regard. THW takes a closer look at
the signing and how it further bolsters Buffalo';s roster.Janiga';s Performance
 the First Time Around

Janiga was an original Beauts'; draft selection in the 2015 NWHL Draft - the
first in the league';s history. Coming out of Mercyhurst University, she made
her debut as a rookie for Buffalo during the 2016-17 season. Though the Beauts
would eventually win the Isobel Cup that year, it was an outcome that few
expected. This stems namely from the fact that Buffalo finished in third place
that year with a losing record of 6-10-1. Furthermore, they just could not
generate offense. The 2016-17 Beauts scored a league worst 44 goals in 17
games, while allowing 68 goals against.

Janiga was one of the few bright spots during that year';s regular season. She
finished tied for second in team scoring by compiling six goals and five
assists for 11 points in 17 games. Janiga';s six tallies came from 34 shots,
thus giving her the second best shooting-percentage on the roster with a 17.6%.
 No player on the team won more face-offs than she did, as 167 draws went her
way. Those were the fourth most won in the entire league.

She's back, on #716Day! 

Isobel Cup Champion, Emily Janiga, will return to the Beauts for the upcoming
season! 

Welcome home, Emily! pic.twitter.com/AVf2PmEURR

- Buffalo Beauts (@BuffaloBeauts) July 16, 2018

Janiga would continue her fine play straight into the postseason. As Buffalo
defeated the New York (Metropolitan) Riveters in the opening round and then
utterly shocked the Boston Pride in the championship round, Janiga led all
Beauts in goal scoring with three goals in two games. Tacking on an assist, she
 tied for the team lead alongside Megan Bozek and Hayley Scamurra with four
playoff points. She scored Buffalo';s second goal of the game in their 3-2
victory over the Pride to capture the Isobel Cup.

Without her heroics during the 2016-17 season - most especially in the playoffs
 - Buffalo would not have become champions that year. One cannot help but
wonder that if Janiga was with the team for their 2017-18 return to the Cup
final, could they have repeated as champions? It is a moot point now, but it
speaks to how much of a difference maker she can be for a hockey club.From
China Back to Buffalo

Janiga';s productivity stayed fairly decent during her lone season in the CWHL.
 While playing for the Rays she put forth eight goals and six assists for 14
points in 28 games. That put her at sixth place in scoring for Vanke. Janiga';s
 28 penalty minutes tied her with defender Qinan Zhao for the team lead in
that category. While her point totals were decent during her year in China,
look for more of a resurgence in those totals now that she is back with the
Beauts.

At 5-foot-8, Janiga has more of a sleek, lithe build than most forwards at her
height. However, she is able to generate a great deal of power in her stride
and in her forcefulness around the net. Much like teammates Scamurra, Corinne
Buie, Maddie Elia, Annika Zalewski, Jordan Juron and more, Buffalo has
developed a bit of a penchant for bringing aboard taller, tougher forwards.
Good things may very well come in small packages, but in Buffalo';s case they
are sticking to their guns and keeping sizable up front.

Who says you can't go home?

We're happy to have @janigs94 back in #BeautsBlue! pic.twitter.com/387bPvUZOU

- Buffalo Beauts (@BuffaloBeauts) July 16, 2018

Janiga said the following in a video posted by the Beauts on social media:

"Hi Beauts fans! I';m excited to announce that I';ll be back again next season.
 Spent the last year in China, but I';m excited to be back in my hometown. Go
Beauts!"

The Beauts have made the most signings of the five NWHL teams thus far. Here is
 a look at how their roster is currently shaping out as of Jul. 16:

Goalie: Nicole Hensley, Julia DiTondo, Shannon Szabados.

Defense: Lisa Chesson, Savannah Harmon, Jacquie Greco.

Forward: Hayley Scamurra, Corinne Buie, Maddie Elia, Dani Cameranesi, Annika
Zalewski, Julianna Iafallo, Kelly Babstock, Jordan Juron, Emily Janiga. 

The post Janiga Returns to Beauts After Year in China appeared first on The
Hockey Writers.

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheHockeyWrite...
--- SBBSecho 3.05-Win32
 * Origin: TequilaMockingbird Online - Toms River, NJ (1:266/404)