Photo courtesy Quinnipiac Bobcats Sports Network
By Gabbi Riggi
Kelly Babstock, Quinnipiac hockey’s all time points leader has found a new home, joining the Connecticut Whale of the National Women’s Hockey League on Tuesday.
“Kelly is one of the most creative stickhandlers and natural scorers that will be playing in this league. She is as difficult to play against one-on-one as anybody in the league,” said Connecticut Whale general manager Harry Rosenholtz. “Kelly has an amazing spirit and a great enthusiasm for hockey. She is a spectator’s dream.”
Babstock dazzled crowds at the TD Bank Sports Center during her four years on the team, setting records the board for the women’s ice hockey team. She holds the record for most goals (95), most assists (108), and most games played (147). Babstock’s 203 career points is the highest for both women’s and men’s hockey players at Quinnipiac.
Babstock was top not only in the conference, but in the nation. In her freshman season she was named the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference Player of the Year. She was also four time New England Division I All-Star, two time All-ECAC first team, as well as Quinnipiac’s first All-American. Babstock was also the team’s first Top 10 finalist for the Patty Kazmaier Award for the best player in Division I.
She spent last year away from the ice, after using four years of her NCAA eligibility. Instead, she took to the field for the women’s lacrosse team, where she was second-best on the team with points and made the All-Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Rookie Team. Even after the fifth year, Babstock is ready to get back to her roots just down the road.
“I am excited to play for the Whale because Connecticut has always felt like home for me, as I went to Quinnipiac,” Babstock said in a statement. “I am excited to be able to be involved with the NWHL and be making history as a part of the first professionally paid women’s hockey league.”
She won’t be alone with the Whale, joining former teammates Chelsea Laden and Shiann Darkangelo in Stamford. Other former Bobcats in the NWHL include 2014-15 captain Morgan Fritz-Ward and Elena Orlando, both with the New York Riveters.
