Cydney Roesler

The Connecticut Whale re-signed defenseman, Cydney Roesler for the third season of the National Women’s Hockey League.

The shutdown defender from Stittsville, Ontario, who played four years for the Ottawa Junior Senators Girls’ Program, played for Quinnipiac University. She was team captain for the Quinnipiac Bobcats during her senior season.

In addition to playing for the Whale, she also serves a volunteer assistant coach at Quinnipiac.

Roesler said, “It makes me honored that the Whale organization and the NWHL wanted me back. To continue playing this game I love and promoting women’s hockey means a lot to me. I feel like this is going to be a special season for the league, and hopefully for the Whale.” 

During the 2016-2017 season, her rookie year, she put up one goal and five assists and was a plus-5 while protecting the blueline for Connecticut. She was also one of eight members of the NWHL Players Association last season, and will represent the NWHLPA this season as well.

Roesler has helped the Canadian National team win the silver at the 2011 Women’s Under-18 World Championships in Stockholm, Sweden and a gold medal at the 2012 Women’s Under-18 World Championships in Prevov and Zlin, Czech Republic. At the 2012 World Championships, she led all defenders with three goals.    

She added that her father Ky Roesler, who played defense for Colgate University, was one of the major influences on her hockey career.

The communications graduate, who minored in sports studies, hopes to one day pursue a career within the field, preferably in hockey said, “For now, I really enjoy playing for the Whale and being an assistant at Quinnipiac. I would like to see if I can further develop a career in coaching.”

Her development in the sport came through playing in the boys’ program until eighth grade, before joining the Senators Junior program in high school. She added, “The Senators’ program and Team Canada helped take my game up a notch.”

Regarding her training she continued, “I am still fortunate to be associated with Quinnipiac and to live in the area, so you can usually find me training there with strength coach, Brijesh Patel, from Monday to Friday.”

The 2017-2018 NWHL season will begin in October as the “Founding Four” franchises will play their full slate of home games, as well as a few neutral site battles to help showcase the league in other markets.

Roesler added, “Last season was a big learning experience for everyone involved, there is no doubt about that. But the most important thing is that we, the players, team staffs and league staffs, all have the same goal in mind. I am confident that we are going to take the lessons from last season, and how we finished the season strong, and be better for it in the future.”

She continued, “The players’ association is going to be stronger and the communication with the players will be at the highest level. This year is going to be the NWHL’s best, in my view.”