After a few weeks of inaction, the Buffalo Beauts have signed former Providence defender Whitney Dove for the 2020-21 season.
The two-way standout scored 79 points in 145 games, netting 26 goals in her four seasons. Dove was a Hockey East Second Team All-Star in 2020 on the strength of her career-high 28 points, including a team-high 19 assists. The excellent finish to her senior year garnered her further attention, as she was named to the New England Hockey Writers Association Women’s Division I All-Star team in April.
“I am very excited to join the Buffalo Beauts and have the opportunity to play in the NWHL,” Dove told the NWHL. “I have heard great things about the team and organization, and I am looking forward to continuing my hockey career as a professional in Buffalo.”
Beauts general manager Nathan Oliver has focused hard on Buffalo’s blueline in the offseason, and said this about the rookie; “Whitney substantially bolsters our team both offensively and defensively. “She is an outstanding defender with a strong shot from the blue line. We know she’s going to be a great player for the Beauts, and the fans will love watching her.
Her offensive prowess is attractive to a team that struggled to score in the second half of the regular season, however, with 55 blocked shots last year, it is clear that she also has the ability to strengthen the back end, which was also a weakness for the Beauts.