The Connecticut Whale have signed 2020 NWHL draft selection Nicole Guagliardo. The Bulldogs’ Guagliardo led the Bulldogs in points with 33, coming off 16 goals and 17 total assists. She scored five goals on the power play, two empty net goals, and six game winners. Guagliardo was named to the 2019-20 NCHA All-Conference team to complete her senior year. Her six game winning goals tied for first in NCAA Division III.
Guagliardo transferred to Adrian College to finish out her NCAA career as a senior. She transferred from Lindenwood University. Of her 63 career points, she scored 33 of them for Adrian during the 2019-2020 campaign. She helped lead the Bulldogs to a Slaats Cup championship and the program was poised for a deep run into the NCAA playoffs.
“I’m proud and thrilled to finally see my dream of playing pro hockey in the NWHL become a reality,” said Guagliardo. “My hope is to do my part for the Whale so we can have our most successful season yet and win the Isobel Cup.
BREAKING: @AdrianWHockey's @NicoleGuags has been selected in the @NWHL draft by the @CTWhale_NWHL. Here is Head Coach Shawn Skelly with some thoughts 👇#godawgs #adrian #bulldogs #actv @AdrianCollege @AdrianBulldogs pic.twitter.com/sibjBIfGUb
— Adrian College TV (@AdrianCollegeTV) April 30, 2020
“I want to continue to see the NWHL grow and gain more fans and awareness of women’s hockey. To the fans of the Whale and of all the NWHL teams: thank you for your support,” she continued.
“I believe with the addition of a expansion team in the great hockey city of Toronto, and with all of the talented and dedicated players who have started to fill the rosters so far, 2020-21 is going to be a memorable season. Fins up!”
Prior to playing at Adrian as a senior, Guagliardo played for Mercyhurst and Lindenwood. In 2018-19,
“I had the pleasure to coach Nicole in her senior season after she made the move to come to Adrian from Lindenwood, and I couldn’t have been more impressed with her,” said Adrian head coach Shawn Skelly.
Nicole not only led our team in scoring, but she led by example.
“This opportunity to continue her hockey career as a pro on Connecticut is something I know Nicole will cherish. She will also work very hard to succeed against the league’s elite. Everyone at Adrian is very proud of Nicole and wishes her the best of luck on her NWHL career with the Whale.”
The Connecticut Whale are based in Danbury, Connecticut. It is one of the four charter franchises of the National Women’s Hockey League. Its name and colors are an homage to the former NHL and WHA franchise known as the Hartford Whalers.
What an amazing day for @AdrianCollege. @NicoleGuags has been selected in the @NWHL draft by the @CTWhale_NWHL. Congratulations, Nicole. You embody the Black & Gold!#godawgs #adrian #bulldogs #actv #nwhldraft @AdrianCollege @AdrianBulldogs pic.twitter.com/Ub597Y9r9z
— Gabriel Schray (@schrayguy) April 30, 2020
Guagliardo is now the 7th hockey player from Adrian College’s women’s team to go pro. She joins teammate Kelly O’Sullivan, who was drafted moments before by the Buffalo Beauts. Adrian College alumni Hannah McGowan, Sarah Shureb, Kaylyn Schroka, & Kristin Lewicki all have also played in the NWHL.
Connecticut desperately needs help on the offensive end of the ice, and will surely receive some from the flashy Bulldog forward. The Whale only scored 39 goals last year and finished 2-20. They’ll be counting on Guagliardo making an immediate impact on the offensive end of the ice. Something that isn’t hard for Adrian fans to imagine.
Take a look at her highlights below:
This article includes information and media from Adrian College’s sports information department, the NWHL and the NCAA hockey team at Adrian. For more college sports, follow us on Twitter @MWSNsports or like our page on Facebook.
