The Metropolitan Riveters announced on Wednesday that two-time National Women’s Hockey League all-star and Isobel Cup Champion, Rebecca Russo has re-signed with the team for the defense of the Cup.

The Boston University star wrapped up her second season tied for second overall in goals and fourth in points, as she put up nine goals and eight assists in 16 games. Russo appeared in the NWHL All-Star Game, 2016 Pittsburgh and 2017 Minnesota, in both of her seasons in the league.

She also represented Team NWHL this past February, as they took on the United States Women’s Hockey Team, at their training facility, Florida Hospital Center Ice, in Wesley Chapel, Florida. The two-game tournament was the final tune-up for the 2018 Olympic Team’s “Quest for Gold.”

The Westport, Connecticut native has been one of the most popular players in the league. Following her rookie season, along with Harrison Browne and Anya Battaglino, she was voted one of the NWHL’s Fans’ Three Stars. This past season, she finished fourth in apparel sales amongst all players in the league. Russo jerseys and T-shirt “shirseys” are available at https://www.theloyalist.com/riveters.

Russo: Team chemistry and New Jersey Devils key reason to stay with Riveters

Russo noted that the stability in the roster and the partnership with the New Jersey Devils were two of the biggest factors in her decision to return and continue her professional career with the NWHL and the Riveters.

She said, “The Riveters have a special thing going where a lot of our teammates have returned season after season. Throughout the last three years we continue to have over half of our team return, so yes, we can battle the others and will defend our title proudly for the upcoming season.”  

Russo continued, “We have amazing chemistry both on and off the ice and I look forward to getting back with the team in October. We have all worked really hard throughout the years and the past season winning the Isobel Cup was one for the books. I’m so excited to have most of the team back and we look forward to having Amanda Kessel return.”

In discussing the Riveters and Devils agreement Russo said, “We call the Devils our brothers. They get us whatever we need; whether it is ice time, being able to fix our equipment or a simple skate sharpening. They are truly one-of-a-kind, a class act program and I’m so happy they decided to support the growth of women’s hockey and most importantly be our partners and fans! I love heading to Barnabas for practice and games and I enjoy heading to Prudential Center to watch the Devils play. Thank you to the New Jersey Devils for believing in us as players, people and most importantly as women professional athletes.”

Champion at every level of game

In 34 games in two seasons with the Riveters, Russo has scored 12 goals and 21 assists. She also picked up a goal and an assist during the Isobel Cup run last season. At the 2017 NWHL All-Star Game at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex, she won the Fastest Skater event during the skills competition.

Russo scored 15 goals and 23 assists in 39 games during her collegiate career, while helping lead the Terriers to three Hockey East titles. Prior to playing collegiately she developed her hockey skills with the Mid-Fairfield (Connecticut) girls’ hockey program before heading off to Shattuck-St. Mary’s School in Faribault, Minnesota. She helped Shattuck capture a title in 2011.

Russo and MeiGray Group offer fans authenticated game used equipment

Prior to last season, Russo and sports auction group, MeiGray Group formed a partnership to offer fans player authenticated, game used equipment. Through the agreement, fans and collectors receive the ability to acquire the game-used equipment and receive them directly from Russo as she gets off the ice. The program is one of the first of its kind.

Russo said, “I love working with MeiGray. For Barry Meisel to have chosen me to be the first-ever women’s professional athlete is amazing. I attend the MeiGray Expo each year and it is so amazing to see people that not only show up to take a look at the NHL jerseys and memorabilia and see some NHL players, but they now come and support the NWHL.”

She added, “It is so exciting being able to share being able to share my story with hundreds of people and to educate them on who we are as athletes; women professional athletes who play in the NWHL. It is an exciting time right now where the game of men and women’s hockey is rapidly growing. I’m looking forward to another successful season with MeiGray.”

After the re-signing with the Riveters was announced on Wednesday, MeiGray went live with a Russo game-used Equipment auction.

Russo: Great Expectations of future of women’s hockey

As she has two seasons under her belt already, Russo has great expectations about the future of women’s hockey after seeing the strides the NWHL has made.

She said, “When I joined in 2016, I honestly had no idea what to expect and what the NWHL would turn into. I couldn’t be happier for what it has become. This league is going to be something really big one day, and I can’t wait to say I was part of it at the very beginning. I’ve had such an incredible journey as a hockey player with so many memorable moments; ranging from youth hockey all the way up to playing in front of a sold-out crowd in the Isobel Cup Final with over 900,000 people watching on Twitter. To say that I play in the NWHL and that I’m an Isobel Cup Champion is a huge honor. Women’s hockey has a huge future an I’m so happy to be a part of it.”