Among the feel-good stories of the second NWHL season involves the breakthrough performance of Corinne Buie. Having emerged as one of the best acquisitions of the offseason, she has brought an exciting new dimension to the Beauts offense, easing the loss of Meghan Duggan. A tireless worker with an infectious smile, Buie would find great reward for her efforts.
Undoubtedly, Buie’s reaction upon discovering that she was selected for the second NWHL All-Star Game reflected a mix of both personal achievement and a chance to be part of something bigger, helping add to the league’s growing lore by playing alongside some of the greats in the game,
“I was so excited and honored that I would get to share the ice with top players in the league.”
Debuting with the Beauts in a pair of preseason exhibition games, Corinne Buie quickly emerged as an offensive catalyst for the franchise. Competing against the Buffalo Jr. Sabres and the Brock University Badgers women’s ice hockey team (based across the Rainbow Bridge in St. Catharines, Ontario), she would register assists in each performance, displaying strong playmaking abilities. In addition, she would score twice against the Badgers, emerging as a key contributor in a convincing 8-1 win.
In regular season play, Buie would have to wait until her third game to log a point, recording an assist in a gutsy 2-1 loss against her former team, the Boston Pride. Afterwards, the offensive floodgates would open for Buie, compiling a solid four game scoring streak, complemented by 10 shots on goal and just two penalty minutes. Culminating on November 13, 2016 against the New York Riveters, Buie scored twice on the power play, as the club emerged victorious in a 4-3 final.
Among the other highlights in her first season with the Beauts, she also competed in a fundraiser for Do It for Daron (DIFD), the first in franchise history. Worth mentioning, Buie also competed in the first DIFD game in NWHL history, achieving this last season with the Boston Pride during their inaugural season. It was also a season that saw Buie take 
part in three other important contests; she returned to her home state to take on the Minnesota Whitecaps, the first professional women’s games in the State of Hockey, the Women’s Winter Classic (the first professional outdoor women’s game) and the inaugural Isobel Cup Finals, which resulted in Buie and her other Pride teammates gain their names engraved on the hallowed prize.
Of note, Buie’s inaugural hockey sojourn in the Queen City has resulted in a display of remarkable proficiency on offense, while balancing a strong forecheck. Taking on the role as one of the club’s offensive catalysts, she has risen to the occasion, emerging as an ideal fit for the club. during a stretch from December 10, 2016 to February 26, 2017, she would also record points in five of seven games, providing teh club with much needed consistency.
Seeing action in 16 regular season games, one of only five Beauts to do so, she has paced all players with five power play goals and eight goals overall, providing strong leadership on special teams. Buie also ranks third on the team in shots on goal, trailing only fellow All-Stars Megan Bozek and Shiann Darkangelo in that category. Perhaps more impressive is the fact that she has logged merely four penalty minutes in 16 regular season games, testament to her disciplined approach.
Such numbers translated into an opportunity to experience a new career milestone, as Buie was one of seven Beauts competitors named to the second NWHL All-Star Game. Contested in suburban Pittsburgh, Buie was joined by four of her fellow Beauts as members of Team Steadman.
Named in honor of teammate Kelley Steadman, the first MVP in NWHL All-Star history (and also the Director of Hockey Operations with the nearby Robert Morris Colonials women’s hockey program), other Beauts included goaltender Brianne McLaughlin (whose husband is a coach with the Colonials), Emily Pfalzer, a captain in the 2016 NWHL All-Star Game, and Shiann Darkangelo. Of note, Megan Bozek and Harrison Browne were the only Beauts that competed with Team Kessel.
While Buie’s presence made her a role model for the young fans in attendance, she found a positive influence among one of her fellow All-Stars. Becoming teammates for the first time in their careers this season, Buie was proud to see fellow Beauts forward Kelley Steadman gain the honor of the All-Star captaincy.
“It was inspiring to see the kids look up to her and all the other all-stars that weekend.”
Among the proud accomplishments in Buie’s career, the second NWHL All-Star Game is more than just a highlight in her inaugural season with Buffalo, it represents a seminal moment to be cherished for many years to come,
“To say that I was a part of an NWHL all-star game is something I can tell my grandchildren. It was an amazing experience.”
“All quotes obtained first hand unless otherwise indicated”
Images obtained from Buffalo Beauts’ twitter page: @BuffaloBeauts
