Boston College Athletics
Photo by: Jason Eggleston
Trio of Eagles Drafted by NWHL; Burt Taken No. 1 Overall
August 17, 2017 | Women's Hockey
Katie Burt drafted by hometown Pride with first overall pick; Kenzie Kent and Toni Ann Miano also chosen by teams
CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. – A trio of Boston College women's hockey seniors were chosen in Thursday night's National Women's Hockey League (NWHL) Draft, led by number one overall selection Katie Burt.
Burt, a goaltender, was drafted by the local entry, the Boston Pride. Then, three picks later, forward Kenzie Kent was taken with the fourth overall pick in the first round by the Pride. Defenseman Toni Ann Miano was selected 15th overall by the New York Riveters in the fourth round. Teams made selections in five rounds.
Following the completion of their collegiate eligibility, players selected in in the NWHL Draft will have the option to sign with the teams that hold their draft rights, or pursue free agency and sign with another team.
Burt has been the Eagles' starting goaltender in each of her three seasons at The Heights and has been active with USA Hockey and the U.S. Women's National Team program.
The Lynn, Massachusetts, product enters her final season of play holding almost every Boston College goaltending record and threatening several NCAA career records. She is the Eagles' career leader in wins (91), save percentage (.939), goals against average (1.30) and shutouts (31). On the NCAA career charts, Burt enters her senior year fifth in career shutouts and tied for sixth in wins – 23 back of the career record (114). She is also one win shy of matching the Hockey East career conference wins record (52), which will complement her Hockey East Tournament career wins record (11). She already holds the conference's career shutouts mark for league games (20).
Kent – who is the country's most prolific two-sport athlete – participated in two sports' Final Four weekends, playing in the 2017 Frozen Four with the hockey team and the 2017 Final Four with the lacrosse team. On the ice, Kent enters 2017-18 ranked 14th in career scoring at Boston College with 107 points. The Norwell, Mass., product's 76 career assists are tied for 10th in program history, while her 0.64 assists per game rank eighth in the team's record book. She has played in all 119 games in her career, primarily as the left wing on the team's first line. She is also a primary component on the team's special teams units. On the lacrosse field, Kent recorded a career-high 77 points in just 12 games, garnering first-team all-region honors and one of four nods nationally as a Honda Award Nominee. At the conclusion of the year, Kent was voted the Atlantic Coast Conference's Mary Garber Award winner as the 2016-17 Female Athlete of the Year.
Miano, a product of The Bronx, New York, enters her final collegiate campaign as the Eagles' most-tenured defenseman with 97 appearances. She has 59 career points from 18 goals and 41 assists. BC's defense has been ranked in the nation's top four in each of her three seasons at The Heights, surrendering an average of 1.33 goals per game in that span. Included are two seasons with scoring defenses allowing less than 1.25 goals per game. Before she missed the second half of the 2017-18 season, Miano's 1.00 points per game mark (17 points in 17 games) led all defensemen nationally.
Burt is the second BC women's hockey player drafted number one overall in the NWHL Draft. Previously, Alex Carpenter was chosen first overall by the New York Riveters in the league's inaugural draft in 2015.
Burt, Kent and Miano bring the Eagles' total of NWHL-drafted players to eight in the last three seasons. Overall, 11 BC alums have played in the league, including Lexi Bender, Blake Bolden, Carpenter, Meghan Fardelmann, Emily Field, Kaliya Johnson, Meagan Mangene, Emily Pfalzer, Haley Skarupa, Dana Trivigno and Kelli Stack.
The NWHL enters its third season this fall and is a professional league with a salary budget to pay its rostered players. The league is comprised of four teams: New York Riveters, Boston Pride, Connecticut Whale and Buffalo Beauts.
QUOTES
Boston College head coach Katie Crowley
"I'm really happy for Katie (Burt) to be drafted number one overall. She has been a rock for us in the net and I'm happy that she is getting this recognition as one of the world's best goaltenders. She has the drive, leadership and work ethic to be the best and I know she'll continue to impress as her career continues."
"Kenzie Kent is a great athlete who can elevate the game of those on her line. That's what is so unique about Kenzie: the way she supports her teammates and elevates their game. I'm so happy for her to get drafted into the NWHL."
"Toni Ann (Miano) has a great head for the game of hockey. She's is an elite defenseman who will elevate her game when the game is on the line. I'm excited for her to be drafted by New York as she's from there and will have a good following there. She will be a great player in the NWHL."
Boston College senior goaltender Katie Burt
"It's an honor being drafted first overall with such a great draft class. Being drafted by such a great organization in the Boston Pride is truly an honor. I'm excited to have the opportunity to be part of The Pack once I graduate."
Boston College senior forward Kenzie Kent
"Thank you, Boston, for the opportunity to play professionally locally. I couldn't be more excited and honored to be in this position!"
Boston College senior defenseman Toni Ann Miano
"I am honored to be drafted into the NWHL, allowing me to continue my hockey career as a professional athlete. I'm looking forward to representing my hometown once we wrap up the season at BC."
Burt, a goaltender, was drafted by the local entry, the Boston Pride. Then, three picks later, forward Kenzie Kent was taken with the fourth overall pick in the first round by the Pride. Defenseman Toni Ann Miano was selected 15th overall by the New York Riveters in the fourth round. Teams made selections in five rounds.
Following the completion of their collegiate eligibility, players selected in in the NWHL Draft will have the option to sign with the teams that hold their draft rights, or pursue free agency and sign with another team.
Burt has been the Eagles' starting goaltender in each of her three seasons at The Heights and has been active with USA Hockey and the U.S. Women's National Team program.
The Lynn, Massachusetts, product enters her final season of play holding almost every Boston College goaltending record and threatening several NCAA career records. She is the Eagles' career leader in wins (91), save percentage (.939), goals against average (1.30) and shutouts (31). On the NCAA career charts, Burt enters her senior year fifth in career shutouts and tied for sixth in wins – 23 back of the career record (114). She is also one win shy of matching the Hockey East career conference wins record (52), which will complement her Hockey East Tournament career wins record (11). She already holds the conference's career shutouts mark for league games (20).
Kent – who is the country's most prolific two-sport athlete – participated in two sports' Final Four weekends, playing in the 2017 Frozen Four with the hockey team and the 2017 Final Four with the lacrosse team. On the ice, Kent enters 2017-18 ranked 14th in career scoring at Boston College with 107 points. The Norwell, Mass., product's 76 career assists are tied for 10th in program history, while her 0.64 assists per game rank eighth in the team's record book. She has played in all 119 games in her career, primarily as the left wing on the team's first line. She is also a primary component on the team's special teams units. On the lacrosse field, Kent recorded a career-high 77 points in just 12 games, garnering first-team all-region honors and one of four nods nationally as a Honda Award Nominee. At the conclusion of the year, Kent was voted the Atlantic Coast Conference's Mary Garber Award winner as the 2016-17 Female Athlete of the Year.
Miano, a product of The Bronx, New York, enters her final collegiate campaign as the Eagles' most-tenured defenseman with 97 appearances. She has 59 career points from 18 goals and 41 assists. BC's defense has been ranked in the nation's top four in each of her three seasons at The Heights, surrendering an average of 1.33 goals per game in that span. Included are two seasons with scoring defenses allowing less than 1.25 goals per game. Before she missed the second half of the 2017-18 season, Miano's 1.00 points per game mark (17 points in 17 games) led all defensemen nationally.
Burt is the second BC women's hockey player drafted number one overall in the NWHL Draft. Previously, Alex Carpenter was chosen first overall by the New York Riveters in the league's inaugural draft in 2015.
Burt, Kent and Miano bring the Eagles' total of NWHL-drafted players to eight in the last three seasons. Overall, 11 BC alums have played in the league, including Lexi Bender, Blake Bolden, Carpenter, Meghan Fardelmann, Emily Field, Kaliya Johnson, Meagan Mangene, Emily Pfalzer, Haley Skarupa, Dana Trivigno and Kelli Stack.
The NWHL enters its third season this fall and is a professional league with a salary budget to pay its rostered players. The league is comprised of four teams: New York Riveters, Boston Pride, Connecticut Whale and Buffalo Beauts.
QUOTES
Boston College head coach Katie Crowley
"I'm really happy for Katie (Burt) to be drafted number one overall. She has been a rock for us in the net and I'm happy that she is getting this recognition as one of the world's best goaltenders. She has the drive, leadership and work ethic to be the best and I know she'll continue to impress as her career continues."
"Kenzie Kent is a great athlete who can elevate the game of those on her line. That's what is so unique about Kenzie: the way she supports her teammates and elevates their game. I'm so happy for her to get drafted into the NWHL."
"Toni Ann (Miano) has a great head for the game of hockey. She's is an elite defenseman who will elevate her game when the game is on the line. I'm excited for her to be drafted by New York as she's from there and will have a good following there. She will be a great player in the NWHL."
Boston College senior goaltender Katie Burt
"It's an honor being drafted first overall with such a great draft class. Being drafted by such a great organization in the Boston Pride is truly an honor. I'm excited to have the opportunity to be part of The Pack once I graduate."
Boston College senior forward Kenzie Kent
"Thank you, Boston, for the opportunity to play professionally locally. I couldn't be more excited and honored to be in this position!"
Boston College senior defenseman Toni Ann Miano
"I am honored to be drafted into the NWHL, allowing me to continue my hockey career as a professional athlete. I'm looking forward to representing my hometown once we wrap up the season at BC."
Players Mentioned
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