NWHL web site
Metropolitan Riveters web site

***Updated Wednesday night to add quote from Prentiss.

NEW YORK (April 29, 2020) – Senior defenseman Bridgette Prentiss (Buffalo, N.Y.) of the Franklin Pierce University women’s ice hockey team was selected on Wednesday night by the Metropolitan Riveters in the fourth round (21 overall) of the National Women’s Hockey League Entry Draft. Prentiss is the first player in program history to be drafted by a professional hockey league.

“I'm very excited and thankful for the opportunity to continue my hockey career,” said Prentiss. “I want to thank all of my coaches, especially Coach Stockdale, my teammates, and my family, who have all helped me reach my goal of playing professional hockey. I wouldn't be where I am today without them! I can't wait to see what my future as a Riveter has in store!”

Prentiss is coming off of a senior season where she earned New England Women’s Hockey Alliance Defender of the Year honors. She also took home All-NEWHA First Team honors for the second straight season, which marked the third All-NEWHA selection of her career.

Prentiss was the league’s leading scorer on both an overall and per-game basis, as she finished the campaign with 45 points (19-26-45) over 31 games (1.45 points per game). Her 26 assists also led the league as well, as did her 13 power-play goals and 30 power-play points (13-17-30). The 19 goals were tied for second in the league, as Prentiss trailed only the NEWHA Player of the Year, Sacred Heart senior forward Jayne Lewis. Prentiss finished with 16 more points than the NEWHA’s next-highest scoring defenseman. On the national level, Prentiss finished 11^th in the country in points per game and tied for first in power-play goals with Robert Morris junior defenseman Emily Curlett. Prentiss led the nation’s defensemen in points per game.

“I’m very happy for Bridgette and so proud of her earning this opportunity,” said head coach David Stockdale. “Her growth as a player and a leader over the course of her career has been exceptional, culminating in a very special senior season. She has meant so much to our program and has set a standard for all others to strive for. I can’t wait to watch her begin this next chapter in her career.

The NWHL’s sixth season is scheduled to start in October. Prentiss was the first of two NEWHA players selected in this year’s draft. Sacred Heart forward Maddie Bishop was selected by the Connecticut Whale in the fifth round (27 overall).

The Ravens (21-11-0) established a new program record for wins in a season and finished second in the NEWHA this winter. It was the second straight 20-win season for the team, and the program’s third 20-win campaign overall.

For more information on Franklin Pierce Athletics, please visit the official website of Franklin Pierce Athletics (https://www.fpuravens.com). Also be sure to follow the Ravens through the Department of Athletics’ official Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/FranklinPierceRavens), its YouTube channel (http://www.youtube.com/franklinpiercesports) and its Twitter feed (http://twitter.com/FPUathletics). Fans wishing to purchase Franklin Pierce ice hockey apparel can do so at the Department of Athletics’ brand new online store (https://www.shopfpuravens.com).