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. 

Whitecaps Sign Forward/Defender Pezon

All-Star Bender Is Back for Third Year With Pride

Olympian Skarupa Comes Back to the Pride

Many will probably be in agreement when we say that it';s time Kaleigh
Fratkin';s name got onto the Isobel Cup. An original NWHLer who will now be
entering her fourth season with the league, few have done more to exemplify the
 concept of "Grow the Game" than she has. Not necessarily a player in the
limelight of things, Fratkin has believed in the NWHL before its first game was
 ever played. Folks who travel in women';s hockey circles know this to be the
case. The size of Fratkin';s heart is at least as big as her compete level.

Excited to back for season 4 with @TheBostonPride !!! 🦁🦁🦁
#isobelcupalert pic.twitter.com/mC57TSyi6O

- Kaleigh Fratkin (@fratkin13) August 8, 2018

Word was released on the morning of Aug. 8, 2018 that the formidable defender
had re-signed with the Pride. Boston';s defense is already rather stacked with
four talented blueliners previously announced as being under contract. Having
the 26-year-old Fratkin back for a second straight season with the team means
that there will be no lack of leadership on the roster.

"I decided to play another season because I want to continue to play hockey at
the highest level possible and, more importantly, want to be a part of
continuing to push the growth of girls' hockey for the younger generations,"
Fratkin stated in the press release about her signing. "My goal with the Pride
is to win an Isobel Cup. I believe we have the team to accomplish it and the
organization to support our team to win it."

THW takes a closer look at how having Fratkin back in the fold is a necessary
signing in order for the Pride to recapture the Isobel Cup.Previous Success and
 Experience

Keep in mind that the year prior to the NWHL';s inaugural 2015-16 season,
Fratkin became a Clarkson Cup champion with the CWHL';s Boston Blades. While
many of her Blades teammates ended up joining the Boston Pride in the first
NWHL season, Fratkin signed her first contract in the newly formed league to be
 with the Connecticut Whale. Through her first three seasons in the league,
she has played for three of the league's five teams. First as an inaugural
member of the Whale, and then the year afterward she would be with the
Metropolitan (New York) Riveters. Now Fratkin will be doing back to back
seasons with "The Pack".Kaleigh Fratkin has played all four seasons of NWHL
hockey, and is back for her second straight year as a member of the Boston
Pride (Photo Credit: Pat McCarthy).

After that Clarkson Cup victory, she has narrowly missed out on earning an
Isobel Cup in two separate instances. After donning Connecticut green in place
of Boston black in the first NWHL season, Fratkin was playing for the Whale as
many of her former Blades teammates won Lady Isobel as newfound members of the
Pride. Then after playing for the Riveters during the 2016-17 season and coming
 up short to the Buffalo Beauts, Metropolitan would go on to win the Cup this
past season without Fratkin as she was back playing with Boston. It';s just one
 of those oddball things that happens in professional sports sometimes.Fratkin
Plays Her Own Hard-Nosed Style

Fratkin is a robust defender and does not back down from anyone. She is capable
 of intimidating other players - without necessarily intending to - just by
persistently being physical game in and game out. During the first year Fratkin
 was the NWHL';s league leader in penalty minutes with 40 of them in just 18
games. This past season she tied for fourth overall in the same category with
20 in just 11 games played. Fratkin has not hesitated to put opposing players
on their backsides. The fact that she is 5-foot-8 and near the 160-pound mark
certainly helps matters.

While she may play a hard-nosed brand of hockey, Fratkin can also contribute
offensively from the back end. Coinciding with her 40 PIMs in 2015-16, she
finished second overall in scoring for the Whale with 17 points in 18 games.
That point total came from five goals and 12 assists. When she joined Boston
late into the 2017-18 season, she still managed to put forth five assists in 11
 games played. That trailed only Alyssa Gagliardi in points among Boston
blueliners, despite Fratkin planning in less games than five of the of the
other defenders.

BREAKING: @TheBostonPride have re-signed Kaleigh Fratkin. This will be
Fratkin's 2nd season with the Pride and 4th in the NWHL. 

🔗: https://t.co/YtqsX19lUr pic.twitter.com/uxchYQJeua

- NWHL (@NWHL) August 8, 2018

There are not many original members of the NWHL left playing in the league. As
Season Four approaches and further signings come to fruition, you will likely
be able to count the inaugural players on one hand. Fratkin keeps playing
because of how much she cares for the league, but even more so out of her
desire to create a better tomorrow for young girls who love the game of hockey.

"The league has come a long way from Day 1," Fratkin went on to say in the same
 press release. "The continual growth in all aspects of this league truly
proves the potential of women's professional hockey. I want to thank all the
fans, NWHL players and hockey supporters who continue to be dedicated to this
league."

With Fratkin';s signing, here is how the Pride look as of Aug. 8:

Goalie: Katie Burt.

Defense: Alyssa Gagliardi, Toni Ann Miano, Lauren Kelly, Lexi Bender, Kaleigh
Fratkin.

Forward: Emily Field, Dana Trivigno, Denisa Křížová, Haley Skarupa. 

The post Boston Pride';s Fratkin Back for 4th NWHL Season appeared first on The
 Hockey Writers.

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