Beginning June 1, NWHL teams can start signing players for the 2018-19 season.
For players who have completed their college eligibility and want to continue
their hockey careers, the free agency period provides them an 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 - as well as the inclusion of players who participated
in the 2018 Winter Olympics, this very well could be the most competitive
season yet. 

My colleague Nathaniel Oliver will keep THW readers up-to-date on Boston and
Buffalo's signings throughout the summer, while I post updates on Connecticut
and the Riveters. Together we will collaborate to keep readers informed of all
of Minnesota's signings.

Minnesota's Roster Nearly Complete

Whale Re-Sign Baribeau, Anderson; Sign 2 Rookies

Pride Re-sign Litchfield, Sign Burns

Russian National Team Goaltender Maria Sorokina signs 1 year contract to play
for Connecticut Whale of the National Women's Hockey League.
pic.twitter.com/gRtQUW5iCo

- Dan Milstein-Hockey (@HockeyAgent1) September 10, 2018

On September 10 the Connecticut Whale added more international flavor to their
2018-19 roster when they signed Russian goaltender Maria Sorokina. The
23-year-old netminder's signing now gives the Whale at least one player from
six different countries (USA, Canada, Russia, Sweden, South Korea, and
the Czech Republic), by far the most in the NWHL.

Sorokina played in (and won) two preseason games last October with Team Russia
besting both Connecticut and the Boston Pride, surrendering only three goals
over a span of 45 shots. "The first time I came here, as part of the Russian
National Team to play matches against the NWHL clubs, I decided for myself that
 I should definitely try to get into this league," she said in a press release
announcing her signing.Russian National Team goaltender Maria Sorokina. (Photo
Credit: Troy Parla)

"I had very pleasant impressions, including the community where the Whale play.
 I'm ready to fight for the team, and all the people in solved in it to win the
 Isobel Cup." Sorokina represented her country in the 2015, 2016, and 2017
World Championships in addition to playing the last four seasons in the ZHL
with Dynamo St. Petersburg and Agidel Ufa (where she won a championship).

"I would like to thank the management and coaching staff of the Whale for their
 trust," she added. "I'm very hopeful for a successful collaboration this
season! My decision to play in the NWHL came after a lot of consideration. I
believe that the time we spend together will benefit both sides. I will do
everything in my power to help the team achieve success, and I will have the
opportunity to develop my skills."

As Mike Murphy from The Ice Garden noted, Sorokina is the first goalie in the
NWHL that catches with her right hand since Nicole Stock with Connecticut in
season 1.

The post Connecticut Signs Russian Goalie Maria Sorokina appeared first on The
Hockey Writers.

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