Pride, Riveters Sign Slebodnick, Fardelmann
August 10, 2015 - Premier Hockey Federation (PHF)
Metropolitan Riveters News Release
NEW YORK, NY "" The National Women's Hockey League (NWHL) announced Monday that Lauren Slebodnick (Cornell) has signed with the Boston Pride and Meghan Fardelmann (Boston College) has signed with the New York Riveters.
"Slebodnick is fearless," said Pride general manager Hayley Moore, "She knows what it takes to be on a winning team, and that mindset is essential as a goaltender. Her skill and competitiveness will be a welcome addition to our unit."
Slebodnick earned a bit of starting time as a freshman when Cornell's first-stringer went down with an injury, but she wouldn't officially take over as starter until her junior season. However, in her last two years with the Big Red, she was able to rewrite several program goaltending records.
In 2012-13, Slebodnick stepped in as starter and was named to the All-Ivy League Second Team, collecting All-ECAC Third Team honors as well. Her 24 wins that year stand as a single-season program record, and she posted a career-high 600 saves to go along with them.
She became Cornell's winningest goaltender in history as a senior the following season, finishing with a career record of 68-10-5. In 88 appearances, Slebodnick posted a .924 save percentage and 1.65 goals-against average, along with 18 shutouts and 1,668 saves. She also recorded 5 assists across her collegiate career.
"This season, I hope to be a supportive teammate who brings a high level of energy and competitiveness on and off the ice," Slebodnick said, "I feel grateful to have this opportunity to continue my hockey career alongside some of the world's best players and to be a part of this exciting, pivotal time in women's hockey." The Pride have currently signed ten players in addition to Slebodnick, including Brittany Ott, the first goaltender added to Boston's roster.
"Fardelmann is a two-way forward with a lot of strength and power," said New York general manager Dani Rylan, "She played well at the Beantown Classic and I was impressed with her presence on both ends of the ice."
"Fardelmann's experience will make her a leader on the Riveters on the ice and in the locker room," she continued.
Throughout her four years at BC, Fardelmann posted 99 points (56g, 43a) in 137 games. She chipped in offensively right away, scoring 19 points her freshman year.
In the following season, she set career-high marks with 24 goals, 14 assists, and 38 points. She earned Hockey East Honorable Mention All-Star distinction for her efforts and was also named the Beanpot's Most Valuable Player that February.
For her play with the Eagles, Fardelmann began to garner some attention from USA Hockey and was named to the US Under-22 Team in 2007 and again in 2008. She then cracked the national team roster for the first time, competing in the 2008 Four Nations Cup with the US.
At Boston College, she was also a four-time Hockey East All-Academic Team honoree. As a junior, she was given the Athletic Director's Award for Academic Achievement as well.
"I'll bring experience to the Riveters," Fardelmann said, "I've gotten to experience playing overseas and in a Kansas City men's league. I've also had a career as an auto supervisor for several years, and I think both of those playing and working experiences allow me to see things from a different perspective."
"I'm excited anytime I get a chance to play," she continued, "When I heard of the new league, the hockey bug bit me again. It's a privilege to get to do something to love, and I'm even luckier General Motors is giving me the green light to go pursue it."
Fardelmann joins a steadily growing New York roster, which currently boasts eleven other players, including Russian national team member Lyudmila Belyakova and Japanese national team member Nana Fujimoto.
All NWHL teams have until August 17th to finalize their rosters; you can review all league signings using our Free Agent Tracker.
For more information about free agency or other NWHL signees, please visit NWHL.co.
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