The Professional Women’s Hockey League New York franchise today announced the first three players to sign free-agent contracts. Forwards Alex Carpenter, Abby Roque, and defender Micah Zandee-Hart will be joining the team.
Last but far from least.
Our tri-state trio is set.
📰 https://t.co/imSQ8IggqS pic.twitter.com/J0biZjbKBP— PWHL New York (@PWHL_NewYork) September 8, 2023
PWHL New York Franchise Announces First Three Signings
During the press conference, general manager Pascal Daoust expressed his excitement for the new team and league.
“When you’re building a championship-calibre team, you look for your cornerstone players; building a franchise from scratch with separation of excellence,” said Daoust. “Signing Abby Roque, Micah Zandee-Hart, and Alex Carpenter isn’t just about roster building. It’s about setting the tone in the locker room and on the ice. They represent the heart of our foundation, the competition every player and coach respects. The spirit our fans will rally behind. With the lacing up for us, every play and every moment will be a step closer to the culture of excellence we’re crafting.”
Alex Carpenter
Carpenter commits to PWHL New York as one of the most skilled forwards in women’s hockey. The 29-year-old debuted with Team USA in 2009 and had a three-year run with the U18 program. Among her most notable achievements at the senior level, she is a two-time Olympic silver medalist and eight-time medalist at the IIHF Women’s World Championship.
Carpenter attended Boston College from 2011 to 2016. While there, she won the prestigious Patty Kazmaier Award as a junior in 2015. The American was a finalist for the award in 2013 and 2016. As a senior, she famously captained the Eagles to just the second undefeated regular season in NCAA history. The 29-year-old has accrued a wide range of professional experience. From a season with the PHF’s Boston Pride to two years in the CWHL’s Kunlun Red Star. She also spent two years in Russia after the CWHL was dissolved before joining the PWHPA.
The American spent the 2022-23 campaign in the PWHPA when she was a nominee for Forward of the Year.
Carpenter’s Excitement for the PWHL New York Is Inspiring
“I’m thrilled to have signed with New York of the PWHL,” said Carpenter. “From the moment it announced New York as a franchise, I knew this would be a great opportunity both for me and women’s hockey and I can’t wait to get started. I would like to thank Pascal Daoust and his team for their professionalism throughout this process. It became clear to me in speaking with him that the organization is committed to qualities of hard work, accountability, and leadership, all of which resonate with me personally and in my play. I’m excited to continue to build the game I love with my teammates and this organization here in New York.”
The team is also excited to have her on board of the franchise.
“We’re proud to welcome Alex Carpenter to our New York franchise in the PWHL,” said Daoust. “As an offensive center, Alex’s scoring touch and skills, combined with her determination, truly stand out. Her relentless dedication, both during games and in training, perfectly mirrors the core values and vision we’re championing as we strive for unparalleled excellence. We have no doubt Alex will soon win the hearts of our fans.”
Abby Roque
Roque made history as the first Indigenous player to compete for the U.S. National Women’s Team at the Olympics, earning a silver medal in 2022. The 25-year-old is from Sault Ste Marie, Michigan, and is a member of the Wahnapitae First Nation. She has also won three World Championship medals (one Gold, two Silvers) and two U18 medals (one Gold, two Silver) with Team USA.
Roque played her NCAA career with the University of Wisconsin Badgers where she won a National Championship in 2019. She then finished top-10 in NCAA scoring as a senior in 2020, earning top-three recognition as a finalist for the Patty Kazmaier Award. Roque’s professional career consists of two PWHPA seasons in 2020-21 and 2022-23. She returns to New York after being part of the first-ever professional women’s hockey game played at Madison Square Garden in February 2021.
New York Has Been Waiting for You, Roque
“I’m so thrilled to be one of the first women signed in the PWHL,” said Roque. “New York is an amazing city and such a great place to start a women’s ice hockey franchise. I couldn’t be more excited about the future of this league and this team. As the great Taylor Swift once said, Welcome to New York!”
“We are thrilled to announce Abby Roque as an inaugural player for our New York franchise in the PWHL,” said Daoust. “As a center, Abby embodies exceptional skills and leadership. Her unparalleled work ethic, both on and off the ice, represents the values and vision we have for our team as we strive for excellence. We’re confident that our fans will soon embrace Abby with the same enthusiasm and pride that we feel.”
Micah Zandee-Hart
Zandee-Hart joins New York as a proven leader. She served as captain for Canada’s U18 team. Also, the Canadian was named co-captain at Cornell University. She made history by becoming just the second sophomore in program history to don the ‘C’. Last season in the PWHPA, Zandee-Hart was also voted by her teammates in recognition of her leadership both on and off the ice.
Internationally, the 26-year-old from Saanichton, British Columbia, became the first player from her province to represent Canada’s National Women’s Team at the Olympics, where she won gold in 2022. She also won three World Championship medals (one Gold, one Silver, one Bronze). She has familiarity with the New York area from her collegiate tenure with Cornell Big Red between 2015-20. While with the team, she had a point-per-game production as a senior. That year, Zandee-Hart finished fourth in the nation in scoring among defenders.
Welcome to PWHL New York
“I feel privileged to be one of the first women to sign with the PWHL,” said Zandee-Hart. “This league has been years, even decades in the making, as it is the legends of our game who have paved the way for women’s hockey. I am grateful to these women, to my fellow players today, to the PWHL board of directors, and specifically to the player board for their countless hours in making this a reality for us. I am looking forward to joining the New York organization and growing the game with the community.”
“We’re thrilled to welcome Micah Zandee-Hart, a Canadian native who honed her skills in the Tri-State Area at Cornell, to our New York franchise in the PWHL,” said Daoust. “Renowned for her leadership on a global scale and a playing style that aligns with our team’s values, Micah stands as a testament to the calibre of team we’re building. Our fans are in for a treat with her blend of talent and authenticity.”
The PWHL player selection process officially opened on September 1 with an initial free agency period that continues through Sept. 10. Teams are permitted to sign three players to Standard Player Agreements during this time. The 2023 PWHL Draft is scheduled for September 18 where New York holds the fourth overall pick.
