Amanda Kessel Signs With New York Riveters of National Women’s Hockey League

(NWHL)

The New York Riveters announced on Sunday that they signed Amanda Kessel to a contract for the 2016-2017 National Women’s Hockey League season.

Riveters general manager, Chad Wiseman made the announcement on Sunday, saying that the team and Kessel agreed to a one-year deal worth $26,000 for the season. Wiseman said, “Amanda is a proven winner at every level. She is an offensive threat every time she is on the ice. We believe signing Amanda is an important first step in addressing our biggest offseason need.”

Kessel scored 108 goals and 140 assists for 248 points in 127 National Collegiate Athletic Association games with the University of Minnesota. In 2013 she won the Patty Kazmaier Award, presented to the top NCAA Division I women’s hockey player.

With USA Hockey, Kessel earned a silver medal at the 2012 International Ice Hockey Federation’s World Championships, as well as a gold during the 2013 IIHF World Championships. At the 2014 Sochi Olympics, Kessel led Team USA with six points while helping lead them to the silver medal.

The forward scored the game winning goal as she helped lead the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers to an NCAA Championship this past season.

Kessel said, “I am beyond excited to join the Riveters and the NWHL next season. It is a great opportunity to help the league grow and be a future dream for young girls. The fact that little girls can now say they want to play in the NWHL, is inspirational for me and the future of women’s hockey.”

She added, “I am thrilled for the new opportunity and challenge. New York is a going to be a great spot for me. I am a competitor and I love to win, so I hope to bring my experience and contribute to a winning team and culture.”

Kessel has strong family ties in the hockey world. She is the sister of Pittsburgh Penguins forward, Phil Kessel.