The Connecticut Whale re-signed forward Juana Baribeau for the 2017-2018 National Women’s Hockey League season on Thursday. 

The Amos, Quebec native was a late season roster addition for the Whale during the 2016-2017 season, as she went scoreless in her eight appearances. Baribeau should see an expanded role with the club as the new season begins. 

Baribeau said, “I am really excited to get the chance to properly prepare for the season and to show what I am capable of as a player. As the NWHL continues to grow in stature and popularity, I want to do my part to help the league and grow the game. I am also looking forward to being a part of a strong team in Connecticut.” 

This past month, she joined teammate, Anya Battaglino, as a spokesperson and participant, for the Cigna Girls on the Run 5K Walk/Run. Their participation in the event went over big with the younger participants, especially as they ran back from the finish line, to finish the final quarter mile with the other participants that wanted to join them.

Baribeau, a grants database specialist the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving added, “That was an incredible, inspiring event and a lot of fun.”  

During her four seasons at Clarkson University, in Potsdam, New York, she became the third leading scorer in the history of the school, scoring 62 goals and 55 assists in her collegiate career. Baribeau was in the top four in scoring in each year she played for the Golden Knights. 

The NWHL will faceoff for season three in October, as all four teams will battle the right to raise the Isobel Cup next spring. The Whale, New York Riveters and Boston Pride will also have two preseason battles each against the Russian Women’s National team as the NWHL/Team Russia Summit Series takes place in the fall.