Stephanie Mock (ECAC Hockey)

The Connecticut Whale signed Yale forward Stephanie Mock to a one-year contract on Monday.

The two-way forward will begin her professional career in October as the National Women’s Hockey League gets under way in its third season. In 115 games through four seasons with the Bulldogs, the five-foot-four forward put up 20 goals and 29 assists.

Her best season with Yale, was her senior season, as she scored 10 goals and nine assists in 30 games. The Florida raised skater was also named to the Eastern College Athletic Conference All-Academic team and won Yale’s, Mandi Schwartz Award, for courage, grit and determination.

Following graduation, with a degree in Psychology and Pre-med Studies, in 2015, she moved to St. Louis, Missouri. Mock said, “I saw that St. Louis was an incredible hub for women’s hockey and quickly found myself immersed in the women’s hockey community.” 

She was an assistant coach of the Lindenwood-Belleville University women’s team, and coached the USA Hockey Multi-District Camp last summer. Mock also coached a women’s beginners level team, the St. Louis Lyons, while playing for the Midwest Mustangs.

Mock said, “It is a great time to be a women’s hockey player. I am very excited to join the Whale next season and play in the great city of Stamford while living in New Haven. I could not be more excited about being a part of the NWHL and competing at the highest level.”

Prior to moving to Connecticut to attend and play at The Hotchkiss School in Lakeville, she played primarily on boys’ teams in Florida. She said, “As a smaller player on boys’ teams, I learned how to use my body and by the time I switched to girls’ hockey I felt confident. I found myself with more time and space with the puck.”

Mock continued, “I have been wanting to play in the NWHL since its inaugural season. It is a great league and I have enjoyed watching it grow. My acceptance into the Physician Assistance program at Yale has brought me back to New Haven and given me the chance to pursue my dream of playing pro hockey.”  

The Whale, New York Riveters, Boston Pride and defending Isobel Cup Champions, Buffalo Beauts will begin the third season of the NWHL in October, with all four teams having the full slate of their home games. The Whale, Riveters and Pride will also play two exhibition games each, against the Russian Women’s National Team in the NWHL/Team Russia Summit Series.

The 2017 NWHL Draft is scheduled for August 17 at 7:00 PM.