Metropolitan Riveters Re-sign Courtney Burke, Michelle Picard and Jenny Ryan

The Metropolitan Riveters announced on Tuesday that three key members of their blue line will be returning to defend the Isobel Cup, as Courtney Burke, Jenny Ryan and Michelle Picard re-sign for the 2018-2019 National Women’s Hockey League season.

Burke the reigning NWHL Defender of the Year after putting up a single season record of 19 points in 16 games said, “Our fans, team and support staff made it an easy decision to continue playing. Coming off last season and the expansion to Minnesota this summer, it is a really exciting time to be a part of the NWHL. I’m ready to get back on the ice with the team this fall.”

The 23-year-old defender had an exceptional collegiate career at the University of Wisconsin, where she put up 18 goals and 90 assists in 153 games. She was a Second Team All-American in her senior season.

Burke represented the United States Women’s National Under-18 team helping lead them to a gold in 2011 and a silver in 2012.

Picard, 25, scored two goals and 10 assists over her two seasons protecting the blue line for the Riveters. She represented Team USA at the 2014 Winter Olympics, where she helped lead the team to a silver medal. Picard helped lead her country to gold at the 2013, 2015 and 2016 International Ice Hockey Federation’s Women’s World Championships.

The Harvard team captain during her junior and senior seasons was named to the All-Ivy League first-team, All-Eastern College Athletic Conference third-team and an All-ECAC Defender of the Year finalist her senior year.

She said, “I am so excited to be back with the Riveters this season. I’m grateful to be part of this organization and I really can’t thank our fans enough for their support. They are a huge reason why playing with the Rivs is so special. Now it’s time to defend the Cup!”

Picard also volunteers with the Hockey in New Jersey program helping coach youth players and grow the game. She was named one of the recipients of the NWHL Foundation Awards following the 2017-2018 campaign.

Ryan, 23, was a finalist for the NWHL Rookie of the Year this past season. In her first season, she scored three goals and 13 assists in 16 games, while patrolling the blue line for the Riveters.

She put up 19 goals and 65 assists in 155 games at Wisconsin. In her senior season with the Badgers, she was a Second Team All-American and First Team All-Western Collegiate Hockey Association.

Ryan helped Team USA win silver at the 2013 U-18 IIHF Women’s World Championship. She also represented her country during the 2015 U-22 IIHF World Championship.

All three Riveters represented Team NWHL in their two-game series with the 2018 USA Women’s Olympic team at their training facility, Florida Hospital Center Ice, in Wesley Chapel, Florida this past January. Picard served as he captain of Team NWHL.

The three of them also skated with Team Ott at the NWHL All Star Game at TRIA Rink in St. Paul, Minnesota, in February.