Connecticut Whale Sign Goaltender Sam Walther and Swedish Olympian Michelle Lowenhielm

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Semifinal Hockey damer Sverige -USA 1-6
Foto Jack Mikrut

The Connecticut Whale were busy on Tuesday. After signing Randi Griffin, Hanna Beattie and Sarah Hughson they announced that they added two more stars, Swedish national team center, Michelle Lowenhielm and Hamilton College netminder, Sam Walther.

In 144 games over four seasons at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, Lowenhielm scored 10 goals and 32 assists. She also represented Sweden at the 2014 Olympics, where she put up a goal and two assists in six games.

Lowenhielm said, “For me, it is all about finding an environment to help me grow as a person and develop as a player and being a part of the NWHL and the Connecticut Whale does that. Playing against and playing with the best players in the world will be both fun and challenging. I was really happy and excited to sign this contract because that meant I was able to make one of my dreams come true.”

In addition to representing her country at the Olympics, she also skated for Sweden in many other international tournaments, including two International Ice Hockey Federation World Championships. She hopes that she will get the opportunity to do it again in the future.

She added, “Playing for Team Sweden is always an honor and privilege. Being able to represent Team Sweden in the 2014 Olympics meant more than I can ever describe. It is something you dream about as a kid and always work hard towards. That is why I would absolutely love to be able to represent Sweden in another Olympics. It is my goal and would be another dream come true.”

Walther set records between the pipes for Hamilton College this past season as a senior. The netminder posted a 1.08 goals-against average and .960 save percentage with 10 shutouts for the Clinton, New York school.

She was named the New England Small College Athletic Conference Player of the Year last season. Following her junior season, she was honored by the American Hockey Coaches Association by being named to the All-American Team.

Prior to attending Hamilton College, she developed her game, for four years, in the Pittsburgh Pens Elite Program.