The New York Riveters have re-signed, former Princeton University defender, Kelsey Koelzer. Koelzer has been signed on for the 2017-2018 NWHL season. The Riveters made the announcement Monday.

Koelzer, the number one overall selection in the 2016 NWHL Draft is set to begin her first full season with the Riveters this fall. The five-foot-nine, defender and 2016-2017 Patty Kazmaier Award Finalist joined the Riveters following her collegiate career. Koelzer laced them up for the team’s lone playoff game this past March.

“The Riveters are such a great organization with amazing fans, players and staff, so I am really excited about spending the entire season with them,” said Koelzer. “I am also proud to be part of the NWHL as it continues to grow in so many ways.” 

She will help round out the strong defensive corps in Newark, New Jersey, joining Courtney Burke, Jenny Ryan, Kiira Dosdall and captain Ashley Johnston on the Riveters blueline.

Koelzer added, “I learned a lot in the brief time that I spent with the Riveters last season. Having the experience now with the speed of the game will help me when we get back to work come October.”

Prior to skating for the Princeton Tigers, she developed her game in the New Jersey Rockets girls’ program. In 128 games, over four seasons, protecting the blueline at Princeton, she put up 39 goals and 61 assists.

Koelzer finished second amongst all National Collegiate Athletic Association defenders in points per game (.94). The Psychology major, was First-Team All-Ivy League. She was also one of the top ten finalists for the Kazmaier Award. The award is presented by USA Hockey to a Division I women’s college player.

Quest for Isobel

The Riveters will begin their “Quest for Isobel” in October. It began with a full slate of home games at the RWJ Barnabas Health Hockey House in Newark. The venue located right next door to the Prudential Center, also serves as the practice home of the National Hockey League’s, New Jersey Devils.