With a distinguished career, highlighted by the pinnacle of an Olympic gold medal in 2018, Kali Flanagan gained the opportunity to add a new milestone. Enjoying her first season of PHF hockey, the highly talented blueliner remains close to home, skating for the Boston Pride.
A second-generation player, Flanagan’s father, Bill skated for Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. An acclaimed coach, he has developed over 200 players that earned college scholarships. As a side note, her uncle Joe, a draft pick of the LA Kings, skated for the Cincinnati Cyclones.
Raised in Burlington, Massachusetts, Flanagan is certainly a New England hockey hero. Having won a pair of Hockey East titles and Beanpot championships with the Boston College Eagles, wearing the black and gold of the Pride adds another layer of prestige.
Making her PHF debut versus the Toronto Six on December 4, 2021, Flanagan’s presence enhanced an already solid Boston blueline. Contributing offensively the following day, her playmaking skills shone brightly. Recording a pair of assists in the second period, the Pride enjoyed a convincing 8-2 win versus the Toronto Six.
Before the first half of the season expired, Flanagan gained another achievement. Adding the status of PHF All-Star to her already brilliant hockey resume, the announcement served as a strong point of pride,
“It meant a lot to be named a PHF All-Star! I feel so fortunate to have had an accomplished career so far and I’m excited to see what is still to come.”
With a league-high nine players representing the Pride at the 2022 PHF All-Star Showcase, Flanagan’s inaugural All-Star experience certainly held the feeling of a shared milestone. Among three members of the Pride’s defensive unit to grace the ice in Buffalo, including four-time All-Star Amanda Boulder, plus Kaleigh Fratkin, one of the league’s charter players, she was in distinguished company.
Playing for head coach Meaghan Chayka on Shiann Darkangelo’s team. Flanagan belonged to a roster featuring two other Pride teammates. Forward Meghara McManus plus goaltender Katie Burt, a former first overall pick, called Flanagan a teammate in her inaugural All-Star Showcase.
With Pride players skating for opposing All-star teams, it represented a unique novelty for Flanagan. In spite of the friendly rivalry on that day, she was quick to recognize the achievement of another Pride All-Star. With a shootout round in each game, blueliner Amanda Boulier scored the lone goal for Team Thunstrom in a 5-1 loss. Impressing with a slapshot, it supplied Flanagan with a memorable highlight of a tremendous time in Buffalo,
“It was awesome to have nine Pride players representing the Boston Pride at the All-Star Showcase. Obviously we are used to being on the same team, so it was fun to play against each other for a change! I think my favorite moment was watching Amanda Boulier go bar down on a slapshot in the shootout.”
“All quotes obtained first hand unless otherwise indicated”
