Part of an impressive draft class for the Boston Pride, elite goaltender Emerance Maschmeyer holds the rare distinction of having made history twice during an exciting NWHL Draft. Although she was favored by some to go in the first round, Maschmeyer was still available at the seventh position. Too good of a talent for general manager Hayley Moore to pass up, the Pride selected her, making her the first goaltender selected in the history of the draft. Among a rare group of goaltenders that have played for Canada at the U18, U22-Development, and Senior levels, Maschmeyer’s world-class talents are poised to bring her to new glories at the NWHL.
Even more significant was the fact that Maschmeyer became the first Canadian-born player selected. The selection of Maschmeyer began a historic string as two other Canadians were nabbed with the eighth and ninth spots. Going eighth overall was Boston University’s Sarah Lefort, the first Canadian-born forward to be drafted, while Clarkson’s Erin Ambrose landed with the New York Riveters at the ninth spot, emerging as the first Canadian-born blueliner selected.
As a side note, all four of the NWHL’s charter franchises selected at least one Canadian. Coincidentally, all three of the goaltenders that were drafted in this year’s draft were all Canadians. Going 12th overall to the Buffalo Beauts was Amanda Leveille, who recently stood between the pipes for the Minnesota Golden Gophers in the 2015 NCAA Frozen Four championship game (playing against Maschmeyer). Princeton’s Kimberly Newell went 17th overall to the New York Riveters, whose draft class featured three players from Boston College.
Canadian hockey fans first took notice of Maschmeyer during a remarkable stretch where she led Alberta to a golden outcome at the 2011 edition of the Canada Winter Games, and subsequently shut out the United States in the gold medal game of the 2012 IIHF U18 Women’s Worlds. As a side note, her sister Brittaney once competed for the Edmonton Chimos, one of the most iconic teams in Canadian women’s hockey history. Maschmeyer shall certainly look to bring similar prestige to the Pride.
Before she can don the Pride jersey, Maschmeyer has one season remaining with the Harvard Crimson, where she will be looking to break two goaltending records. Not only is she 295 saves away from breaking Erin Villotte’s program mark for saves, she also has Christina Kessler’s all-time wins record in sight, only 19 wins away from setting a new mark.
Heading into her senior season, she will also be joined by fellow Pride draft pick Miye D’Oench. Having scored the game winning goal in the ECAC championship game against Cornell, D’Oench was also a member of the US U-22 national team. As a side note, teammate Michelle Picard was claimed by the Connecticut Whale.
Considering what Maschmeyer accomplished in her freshman season with the Crimson (2012-13), she has the maturity and the poise to make a strong impression upon transitioning to the Pride. Of note, she made 16 saves to win her NCAA debut, becoming the first Harvard goalie to win her debut since 2006. Earning the 2013 Ivy League Rookie of the Year Award, she became the first goaltender to win said award since 1995.
During the 2014-15 season, Maschmeyer was part of Canada’s U22-Development team, along with its senior team that was part of a silver medal effort at the 2015 IIHF Women’s World Championships. Considering her All-America status from 2013-14, it was no surprise that she was part of the All-Ivy League First Team in 2015, along with a spot on the ECAC All-Tournament Team.
For Pride fans, Maschmeyer’s monumental potential will likely see her add more hockey hardware in her NWHL career. With the ability to solidify the Pride’s goaltending picture for the remainder of the decade, she may eventually prove to be an integral component for a franchise looking to make its Isobel Cup dreams come true.
Photo credit: James Emery Photo/Hockey Canada Images
