(Madison Packer. Photo Credit: Troy Parla)

Madison Packer is coming out of retirement to re-sign with the New York Riveters for the third season of the National Women’s Hockey League. Packer made the announcement Friday.

Packer announced that she would be hanging up her skates who at the end of this past season. She then had a change of heart and felt she had more hockey left in the tank. The Riveters and the league welcomed the popular five-foot-nine rugged forward back with open arms.

The Michigan native, who played for the Under-19 Little Caesars hockey team in Detroit during her early career said, “I was a little banged up at the end of last year, but I got patched up over the summer and I am thrilled to be a Riveter for another season. It will be great to be 100 percent again. Looking at the roster, we have a strong group. We have a lot of talent in the room, both returning and new players, and we have a real shot at winning the [Isobel] Cup this year. I am anxious to get to work with this crew.”

Over the past two seasons with the Riveters, Packer put up 11 goals and nine assists. Last season she found the back of the net eight times in 17 games.

In 146 games, over four seasons at the University of Wisconsin, she managed to score 46 goals and 58 assists. Packer helped the Badgers capture the National Collegiate Athletic Association championship in 2011.

During her senior season, she was named to the All-Western Collegiate Hockey Association Academic Team. In 2008 and 2009 she helped the Team USA capture the gold at the International Ice Hockey Federation Under-18 World Championships.

Packer is also the director of the New Jersey Rockets girls’ hockey program. In announcing that she will be returning to the league and team, she released the following statement;

“I want to express how humbled I am by the opportunity to play another year in the NWHL. I had some changes in my personal life that enabled me to stay in the New York, and I reached out to the NWHL Players’ Association and Commissioner, Dani Rylan about the opportunity to come out of my short-lived retirement and play another season.”

“In my time away from the game, I realized I was not ready to walk away. I missed the camaraderie and friendships that come with being a part of a team. I am grateful to the league for their support, and willingness to bring me back on board.” 

“Last year I was vocal about some issues, but I have a lot of respect for Dani, Hayley Moore and the NWHLPA for putting the past aside and moving forward on solid restored grounds. The NWHL has grown tremendously this offseason. I look forward to promoting the continued success of the women’s game, my fellow players and those who work tirelessly behind the scenes.”