All-Star Vinkle Backed by Big Buffalo Vote
January 27, 2022 - Premier Hockey Federation (PHF)
Buffalo Beauts News Release
The best players from across the Premier Hockey Federation are coming to Buffalo to put their talent and skill on full display in the 2022 PHF All-Star Showcase.
When the puck drops on Saturday at Northtown Center it will be a proud moment for the athletes competing, but also for the #FortBeaut faithful who played a special role in the selection process.
The Beauts swept the online vote thanks to overwhelming support from the Founding Four franchise's fan base making All-Stars out of Carly Jackson, Kennedy Ganser, Autumn MacDougall, and Cassidy Vinkle who led the way among skaters receiving nominations on almost 50% of all entries.
"I think we were definitely hoping that with the fan vote we'd get a few more Beauts on the All-Star rosters but we were pleasantly surprised to see that all of the votes went to Buffalo players," Vinkle said. "I think that's just something that shows the dedication of our fans and how they believe in us as players. It's really exciting and we're all grateful for the opportunity."
Vinkle is a PHF newcomer who made an immediate impact with her club. The 24-year-old forward signed as a free agent following two seasons with the PWHPA and a successful collegiate career with Clarkson University where she won two NCAA crowns and served as captain her senior year. She was appointed a Beauts alternate captain before opening weekend, recorded two assists in her PHF debut, and then scored her first career goal in just her second game.
"It's definitely an honor to be an All-Star and be skating alongside the best players in the country this upcoming weekend," she said. "Being voted in by the fans of Buffalo is something that's truly special to me and the other Buffalo girls who got voted in by the fans as well. Especially this being my first year in the league, and my first year on the Beauts, it just shows how awesome the fans of Buffalo are and how much they truly make you feel at home and part of the community."
When Vinkle first learned of her All-Star selection the event was still scheduled for Toronto, just a few hours away from her hometown of Belleville, Ontario. The relocation to Buffalo became a perfect fit.
"We were all really excited to be chosen and voted in for the All-Star game but now that it's in Buffalo it just makes it that much better," she said. "I think being able to perform and play in front of our home fans in an event like this is once in a lifetime.
"My family is going to make the drive down which is exciting, and my boyfriend Bryan can come watch which will be extra special since he's at every home game and one of my biggest supporters. I'm looking forward to enjoying the weekend with them and with all of the other players too."
Vinkle was drafted by All-Star captain Jillian Dempsey whose team has the most Beauts with four. She's joined by MacDougall, plus forward Taylor Accursi and defender Dominique Kremer which could produce some fun and familiar line combinations.
"Accursi, Dom, and Autty are all great players so I'm really happy that they're on my team and I won't have to be going against them this weekend," Vinkle laughs. "Looking at our All-Star roster I'm definitely excited to play with all of these players and maybe we can get a Beauts line going. It looks like a really strong team and being coached by Sami Jo Small is going to be really cool. Growing up in Canada she's a name that everyone knows. I'm looking forward to all of that."
In the new All-Star format that features three mini games, Team Dempsey will await the outcome of the first matchup between Team Darkangelo and Team Thunstrom. Ganser is the lone Beauts rep on Darkangelo's squad coached by Meghan Chayka, while Buffalo defender Marie-Jo Pelletier and forward Anjelica Diffendal are part of Thunstrom's unit coached by Mel Davidson. Each of the games will feature 5-on-5, 3-on-3, and shootouts contributing to final scores.
"I think that the 3-on-3 is going to be really exciting, especially for the fans," Vinkle said. "Just having that much more ice to work with, it's going to demonstrate the skill of these players and show the speed. It's going to be a lot of fun."
The All-Star Showcase provides the Beauts with a break in the regular season schedule after losing two straight weekend series to open 2022. Despite their sixth place record, Vinkle's short time in the PHF has been positive and she's optimistic about the second half ahead.
"I'm definitely enjoying my season so far," she said. "Buffalo is a great team to play for. A great organization. We have a lot of fun, the girls are great and we all really like to hang out together. We've had some bumps in the road but we're all trying to come together here for this last stretch and push through any adversity that we face to get playing our best hockey."
Whether it's in remaining regular season games or at this weekend's showcase, Vinkle knows that Beauts fans will surely have the Northtown Center rocking.
"The atmosphere is really awesome. It's a smaller bowl that always feels loud. It's the perfect size for women's hockey and the Beauts. It's a great rink to play on. We know that Buffalo is going to be a great host and we're really looking forward to it."
Premier Hockey Federation Stories from January 27, 2022
- PHF Introduces Official Mascot Goal E. Tender - PHF
- All-Star Vinkle Backed by Big Buffalo Vote - Buffalo Beauts
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