Pride Sign Olympic Gold Medalist Kali Flanagan
December 2, 2021 - Premier Hockey Federation (PHF)
Boston Pride News Release
(Boston, MA) - The Boston Pride have announced the signing of World and Olympic Champion defender Kali Flanagan to a free agent contract for the remainder of the 2021-22 Premier Hockey Federation (PHF) season. The 26-year-old from Burlington, MA was a member of the U.S. National Women's Team that won gold at both the 2017 IIHF Women's World Championship and the 2018 Winter Olympic Games.
"I chose the Pride for two reasons," said Flanagan. "The quality of the people that are a part of this organization- from the front office, to the coaches and my teammates- and Boston is my home; I grew up here, I played in college here at BC (go Eagles!) and now I have the opportunity to play professional hockey here, and I'm looking forward to bringing the same wholehearted effort, comradery and championship mindset that I've always played with to the Pride."
Flanagan was selected by the Pride with the fifth overall pick in the 2018 entry draft. The Boston College graduate played 157 NCAA games amassing 72 points while winning Hockey East titles and Beanpot Championships in 2016 and 2017. She served as the Eagles' co-captain during her senior season and was named a 2018-19 Hockey East Third Team All-Star and was named a Hockey East Championship All-Tournament Team player. Flanagan spent the past two seasons as a member of the PWHPA and was most recently among 28 players invited to the U.S. residency program competing for a spot in the 2022 Olympic Winter Games. In that time she suited up for two games of the Rivalry Series competing against Canada on October 22 in Allentown, PA and October 25 in Hartford, CT.
"I've been fortunate to coach Kali in the past," said Pride head coach Paul Mara. "We shared the rare opportunity to participate in the Olympics together and to bring home a gold medal. Kali is a perfect fit for the Boston Pride. She is a high quality person first. Second only to that, she is one fantastic hockey player. She is an incredible skater with great vision and great instincts. She plays the game the right way in all three zones and we are extremely excited to welcome her to Boston and look forward to getting her on the ice with the rest of the team."
The 5'5'' right-shot defender bolsters a Boston blue line that already features Kaleigh Fratkin, a two-time PHF Defender of the Year, along with Amanda Boulier who currently leads the PHF in scoring at the position, plus returning Isobel Cup champions in Paige Capistran, Lauren Kelly, Jenna Rheault and Mallory Souliotis. Boston is currently in first place in the overall PHF standings with 10 points through six games.
"This commitment from Kali Flanagan is an exciting step for the PHF as we continue our mission of providing leading professional opportunities for athletes in our game," said PHF Commissioner Tyler Tumminia. "Her world class talent and experience is something our fans will enjoy and will help elevate the competition across the PHF."
Flanagan will wear number 6 for Boston and will make her Pride debut this weekend when the team hosts the undefeated Toronto Six in a rematch of the 2021 Isobel Cup semifinal. Game times are Saturday night, December 4, at 7:00 p.m. ET, and Sunday afternoon, December 5, at 1:00 p.m. ET at Warrior Ice Arena.
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Premier Hockey Federation Stories from December 2, 2021
- 2022 PHF All-Star Showcase Coming to Toronto - PHF
- Pride Sign Olympic Gold Medalist Kali Flanagan - Boston Pride
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