Metropolitan Riveters Re-Sign Isobel Cup Winning Goaltending Trio

The Metropolitan Riveters announced on Friday that their goaltending threesome of Katie Fitzgerald, Kimberly Sass and Sarah Bryant, will be returning to Newark to defend the Isobel Cup this Fall.

Fitzgerald was pretty much a “Brick Wall” during the 2018 Isobel Cup Playoffs as she shutout both the Connecticut Whale and the Buffalo Beauts on the way to hoisting the Isobel Cup and being named the Most Valuable Player for the tournament. The 24-year-old netminder from Des Plains, Illinois went 12-3-0 putting up 1.87 goals against average with a .920 save percentage during the 2017-2018 season.

The two-time National Women’s Hockey League All-Star, from St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud, Minnesota represented Team NWHL in their two-game exhibition series at Florida Hospital Center Ice, USA Hockey’s training facility, in Wesley Chapel, Florida. Team NWHL dropped the puck with the gold medal winning USA Women’s Hockey team in the final tune up for the 2018 Winter Olympics.

Fitzgerald was the NWHL’s Goaltender of the Year during her rookie campaign in the 2016-2017 season. She said, “We have such an amazing group and I can’t wait to get back on the ice. The NWHL is always a place with incredible talent and competition. I’m excited to learn and grow with these amazing people, and happy to be a Riveter again in season four.”

The three netminders have been a tight knit trio between the pipes for the Riveters. Sass had 34 victories during her collegiate career at Colgate University in Hamilton, New York. During her lone start during the 2017-2018 season she skated away with the victory and put up a .913 save percentage.

Bryant, known as “Bowtie Bryant” for the bowties she wears during the postgame meet and greets with the fans, played collegiately for Providence College in Providence, Rhode Island. She is entering her third season with the Riveters. She appeared in two games during the 2016-2017 season.

Bryant said, “It is a privilege to have another season with the Rivs as part of a supportive and hard-working goaltending crew.”

Sass added, “Since the first day I stepped into the locker room of the Riveters, I knew the organization was where I wanted to remain. The attitude of the players and staff were unmatched. I am absolutely thrilled that were able to keep our goalie roster the same, as consistency is key in building a successful team.”

She continued, “Sarah, Katie and I have a very competitive, yet supportive relationship and I cannot wait to see it continue. As always, I look forward to competing at a high level to earn playing time. We cannot wait to face the challenges of the 2018-2019 season and to defend the Isobel Cup! Go Rivs and #staysassy!”

The three netminders bring the total number of Riveters inked for season four to four, joining 2018 gold medalist, Amanda Kessel, who signed on earlier this month. Defense of the Isobel Cup begins in October and will run through March.

Riveters will Defend the Cup Against the Whale, Beauts, Pride and Whitecaps in Season 4

In the fourth season for the NWHL, the Riveters will welcome Whale, Beauts, Boston Pride and the newest club in the expansion, Minnesota Whitecaps to their home ice. The Riveters play at the RWJ Barnabas Health Hockey House in Newark, New Jersey. The venue, located in the same building as the Prudential Center, also serves as the practice facility of the New Jersey Devils.