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The next Quinnipiac women’s ice hockey team reunion might have to be held north of the border.

The National Women’s Hockey League’s Toronto team, an expansion club that has yet to receive its name, inked Sarah-Eve Coutou-Godbout, whose team-leading 16 goals led Quinnipiac to the decisive third game of the ECAC Hockey Quarterfinals this past March.

She becomes the fourth former Bobcat to join Toronto, following Kelly Babstock, Shiann Darkangelo, and Emma Greco. All three have previous NWHL experience.

“I am beyond grateful to be part of the first NWHL team in Canada,” Coutou-Godbout, a Quebec native said. “I can’t wait to start this new chapter and play my first year of pro in Toronto. This inaugural season will be memorable, and I’m thrilled to join the team and engage with the fans.”

Coutou-Godbout was instrumental in Quinnipiac’s success over the past four seasons, scoring 34 goals and assisting on 28 more for Cassandra Turner’s squad.

“Sarah-Eve brings a passion and proven ability to create offense and score goals,” Turner said in a statement. “With great hands in small space and grit around the net to finish, she’s very impactful on the power play. She’s currently at the top of her game and will be a great asset to Toronto! Congrats, Sarah!”

Coutou-Godbout quite literally saved the Bobcats’ season when her score in the third period of Game Three of the ECAC Hockey Quarterfinals at Princeton pushed the contest past the regulation 60 minutes.

Though the Tigers prevailed in the second overtime period, Coutou-Godbout’s goal was emblematic of her team’s never-say-die attitude. Of course, that mindset was necessary for a foreign player — though both Quinnipiac hockey programs have recruited countless Canadians over the years, Coutou-Godbout’s first language is French.

With Toronto, she will be joining a former Bobcat teammate in Greco and two other standouts from Turner’s pipeline. Greco and Darkangelo were two of the initial five players signed by the club, while Babstock’s announcement came on May 2.

Babstock was one of the most impactful athletes to come through Hamden, finishing her collegiate career with 95 goals and 108 assists, good for a program-record 203 points. No other Bobcat has recorded more than 123.

“There are no words to describe my joy over returning to the NWHL for a fifth pro season,” said Babstock, a two-time NWHL All-Star with the Connecticut Whale in 2017 and 2018. “I missed having the hunger to win a championship — the Izzy Cup, and I embrace this opportunity Toronto has given me. It’s a dream come true to represent my hometown team.”

Despite only entering its sixth season in 2020-21, the NWHL has played host to a strong collection of former Bobcats, which, in addition to Toronto’s new foursome, includes Nicole Kosta, Cydney Roesler, Nicole Connery, and Sydney Rossman.

Others, like 2019 grad Melissa Samoskevich, have been selected in the league’s entry draft but have not played in a game.