Having first made a name for herself in her home state of Minnesota, where she was a finalist for the prestigious Minnesota Ms. Hockey Award, Corinne Buie has spent the last couple of seasons establishing new hockey roots in New England. Currently, she is a proud charter member of the Boston Pride, participating in the NWHL’s inaugural season. Competing alongside such an empowering group of women has been rewarded by making the dream of professional women’s ice hockey in America a great reality.
Prior to joining the Pride, Buie competed at the NCAA level with the famed Providence Friars program, earning Hockey East All-Rookie Team honors. Among her highlights with the Friars included the opportunity to compete in an outgoor game at fabled Fenway Park on January 10, 2012 against Dartmouth. Upon graduation, where she became the 33rd player in Friars history to reach the fabled century mark for career points, she spent one season with the Boston Blades, helping the club claim the 2015 Clarkson Cup, one of the most prestigious women’s hockey titles in Canada.
As New England has become a second home to Buie, there have been no shortage of glorious moments. In addition to the Clarkson Cup title, she would also experience the jubilation of capturing the Mayor’s Cup with the Friars. Buie hopes that her winning ways shall continue with the Pride, hoping to capture the inaugural Isobel Cup.
Making her debut with the Pride on October 11, the NWHL’s Opening Weekend, Buie would score her first career NWHL goal the following week. Competing against the New York Riveters at Brooklyn’s Aviator Sports and Events Center, Buie would log her first NWHL point as she earned a second period assist on a shorthanded goal scored by Brianna Decker. In the third period, Buie would score Boston’s fifth goal of the game, with Zoe Hickel earning the assits on her milestone goal.
It would prove to be part of a day filled with milestones as four other players logged their first career NWHL goals, including Pride teammates Blake Bolden (the first African-American player to score an NWHL goal) Brianna Decker and Zoe Hickel. As a side note, Riveters forward Gabie Figueroa also logged her first career NWHL goal.
Having accumulated four points in the Pride’s first six games, the chance to score her first goal represented a proud milestone in her season. “It was a big relief to get my first goal and felt great to help secure the win.”
As the 2015-16 season represents her second season since graduating from Providence, Buie has gained confidence with every game as a member of the Pride. She holds the potential to make an even more significant contribution. In recognizing the improvements in her game, Buie’s willingness to learn holds the key to greater days ahead. “My biggest improvement has been adjusting to the faster pace of the game by making quick plays.”
While her inaugural season with the Pride has provided some exciting opportunities, it has also resulted in a unique and emotional moment. During her hockey journey in New England, one of her teammates, Janine Weber, has also developed into a close friend.
Weber, the first player signed to an NWHL contract, was a teammate of Buie with both the Friars and the Blades. As teammates on the Blades, they were part of a solid rookie line with Jordan Smelker, currently a teammate of Buie with the Pride. As a side note, Weber would score game-winning goals in the Mayor’s Cup and the Clarkson Cup.
This season certainly signifies a new direction as Weber is a member of the New York Riveters. Although they are no longer teammates, after experiencing so many career highlights together, there is no shortage of mutual respect. Playing against each other on three separate occasions already this season, such emotional matches could not overshadow their love of the game,
“It has been fun to play and compete against a great player and friend. I cannot help but smile at her whenever we see each other on the ice.”
“All quotes obtained first hand unless otherwise indicated”
Image obtained from Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/TheBostonPride/?fref=ts)
