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PHF Toronto Six

Kelly Babstock Returns Home and to the NWHL, Joins Toronto's New Expansion Team

May 2, 2020 - Premier Hockey Federation (PHF)
Toronto Six News Release


Kelly Babstock
Kelly Babstock
(Toronto Six)

TORONTO - The NWHL is delighted to officially announce that Mississauga, Ontario native and fan favorite Kelly Babstock has returned to the league after signing a contract this morning with Toronto.

"There are no words to describe my joy over returning to the NWHL for a fifth pro season," said Babstock, who first shared the news on the Token CEO podcast. "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. Once we get back to playing hockey, I'm giving everything I have to Toronto, the league, our game and the fans. Let's go!"

The 27-year-old Babstock played in the first four seasons of the NWHL - the first three as a member of the Connecticut Whale and the 2018-19 season with the Isobel Cup finalists, the Buffalo Beauts. In 65 games over her pro career, Babstock has 27 goals and 33 assists for 60 points. She played in the NWHL All-Star Game in 2017 and 2018.

After developing as a young player in Canada in the PWHL with the Toronto Aeros, the power forward starred at Quinnipiac University. She finished her collegiate career as the all-time leader at Quinnipiac in goals (95), assists (107) and points (203) - "203 points in area code 203," she proudly points out. As a freshman, Babstock was named ECAC Player of the Year. In her senior year, she was a finalist for the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award as the nation's best college player, and Second Team All-America.

Babstock becomes the sixth player to join Toronto's NWHL team, which was announced on April 22. The other players are forwards Shiann Darkangelo (Babstock's teammate on the 2015-16 Whale), and Taylor Woods, defenders Emma Greco (a teammate in 2017 on the Whale) and Kristen Barbara, and goaltender Elaine Chuli.

"Kelly Babstock is an awesome fit for our team in Toronto," said Toronto NWHL President Digit Murphy. "She's highly-skilled, hard-edged, experienced, fierce, dedicated to winning. To have this great hockey player back home playing before the GTA fans is cause for celebration."




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Kelly Babstock
Kelly Babstock
   

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