University of Minnesota Athletics
McMillen Signs with NWHL's NY Riveters
6/16/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Hockey
MINNEAPOLIS -- Defenseman Milica McMillen is the third 2016 Gophers senior to join the National Women's Hockey League (NWHL) as she has signed a one-year contract with the New York Riveters for the 2016-17 season. McMillen was drafted by the Connecticut Whale, chosen 10th overall in the 2015 NWHL Draft, but reached a deal to play in New York.
"It was such an honor to be drafted last year, especially knowing that only about 20 college juniors from the whole country were drafted," said McMillen. "And knowing that I was part of the historical first NWHL Draft is something that I can one day tell my kids."
McMillen helped the Gophers to the program's seventh national title and fourth in the last five years this March, capping her career as a three-time NCAA champion. The St. Paul, Minn., native played in 149 games for the Gophers, recording 120 points (44 goals, 76 assists) to end her career ranked fourth in scoring among all-time Minnesota defensemen. McMillen played with USA Hockey in the 2011 IIHF U-18 World Championship, 2012 Four Nations Cup tournament, and the 2014 U-22 Series.
"I decided to join the NWHL because it's quite the opportunity to be a part of a newer league that hopefully gets bigger through the years," McMillen continued. "When I first started playing, there weren't any options to go pro in women's hockey, so to be able to compete beyond college is like a dream come true. I think this league is going to help grow the sport because now many young girls can grow up watching pro women's hockey and aspire to make it there themselves."
McMillen joins fellow seniors Amanda Kessel and Amanda Leveille in continuing her career in the NWHL for the 2016-17 season. McMillen and Kessel will once again be teammates as Kessel has also signed with the Riveters; meanwhile, Leveille signed a contract with the Buffalo Beauts. Minnesota alumni Gigi Marvin (Boston Pride) and Megan Bozek (Buffalo Beauts) represented the Gophers in the NWHL during the league's debut season in 2015-16.
The NWHL's restricted free agency began April 1 and lasted until April 30. Free agency began May 1 and lasts until July 31. The 2016 NWHL Draft is June 18.
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