Connecticut Whale Bring Back Head Coach Heather Linstad

The Connecticut Whale general manager, Lisa Giovanelli announced on Wednesday that the organization has brought Heather Linstad back behind the bench for the 2016-2017 National Women’s Hockey League season.

The Whale finished the regular season in second place with a 13-5-0 record, before falling to the Buffalo Beauts in the first round of the Isobel Cup Playoffs. Before working behind the Whale bench, Linstad was a coach with Northeastern University and University of Connecticut. During the upcoming season, she will be joined behind with Giovanelli.

Linstad said, “I am very excited to work with Lisa Giovanelli to build a winning tradition with the Connecticut Whale. The goal is to build a cohesive group of staff and players, while each and every day focusing on being the best that we can be.”

She added, “Coaching is an opportunity to do what I love and to help grow the game. I am excited to be back on the bench for a full season.”

Giovanelli, who will continue to hold the dual role of assistant coach and general manager said, “I am very honored and excited to continue as assistant coach and to add the role of GM for this upcoming season.”

The team also announced their 2016-2017 season ticket presale information. Fans that pay in full, during the early presale event, receive 20 dollars off of their ticket package and the first 10 buyers, will win the chance to have their tickets delivered by a player.

Season ticket holders will receive; 10 regular season home games, two preseason games and early access to purchasing playoff tickets. The ticket members also receive a season ticket holder gift, exclusive season ticket holder meet the team events and an ID card that will get them 15 percent off merchandise at the home games.

To receive the discount fans must pay in full to receive the discount. The full price for season tickets is 180 dollars, but all it takes to reserve your seats at the Northford Ice Pavilion is a deposit of 35 dollars, with the balance of 140 dollars being applied in July, to complete their purchase.