New York Riveters Sign Milica McMillen

The New York Riveters of the National Women’s Hockey League, announced on Thursday that they have signed Milica McMillen to a one-year. 17,000-dollar contract for the 2016-2017 season.

McMillen was drafted by the Connecticut Whale 10th overall in the 2015 NWHL Draft, and will receive 2,000-dollars in salary cap credit from the Riveters as part of the draft tax bylaws.

McMillen said, “It was such an honor to be drafted last year, especially knowing that only about 20 college juniors from the whole country were drafted.” She added, “And knowing that I was part of the first historical draft is something I can one day tell my kids.”

During her collegiate career with the Minnesota Golden Gophers, the defenseman amassed 44 goals and 76 assists for 120 points in 149 games. She helped lead the Golden Gophers to three National Collegiate Athletic Association Frozen Four Championships in 2013, 2015 and 2016.

McMillen represented Team USA in 2011 during the Under-18 International Ice Hockey Federation World Championships. She also played for USA Hockey in the 2012 Four Nations Cup and 2014 during the U-22 IIHF World Championships.

The St. Paul, Minnesota native received All-Western Collegiate Hockey Association Second Team honors in her junior and senior seasons at the University of Minnesota. First Team All-WCHA honors in her sophomore year. She also was named to the All-WCHA Rookie Team in her freshman season.

In her Sophomore season she was also named American Hockey Coaches Association/CCM Second Team All-American. As well as receiving WCHA All-Academic honors in her junior year.

During her sophomore year she was ranked third in scoring amongst defensemen with 39 points. He junior year she tied for fifth in the country and second in the WCHA with 27 points and in her senior season, she was ranked second on the Gophers with seven power play goals.

McMillen said, “I decided to join the NWHL because it is quite the opportunity to be part of a newer league that hopefully gets bigger throughout the years. When I first started playing, there were not any options to go pro in women’s hockey, so to be able to compete beyond college is like a dream come true. I think this league is going to help grow the sport because now many young girls can grow up watching pro women’s hockey and aspire to make it there themselves.”