The Metropolitan Riveters have been, by far, the busiest NWHL team this off-season. On Tuesday, they re-signed three more players for the 2020-21 season. Defender Leila Kilduff and forwards Cailey Hutchison and Mallory Rushton signed new contracts with the team.
All three were rookies during the 2019-20 season, joining the Riveters from the NCAA ranks.
Kilduff appeared in 22 games, collecting five points (4-1-5) from the blueline. Prior to joining the Riveters, she played four seasons at Minnesota State University. She played in a college career-high 35 games as a senior.
Rushton joined the NWHL from RIT, where she played four seasons and wore a letter in both her junior and senior campaigns. As a rookie, Rushton collected 13 points (1-12-13) in 24 games. She was coming off of a career-high 15 points (5-10-15) with RIT during the 2018-19 season.
Hutchison, meanwhile, joined the Riveters after four seasons at the University of Maine. She scored a career-high ten points (5-5-10) in 2018-19, then made the jump to the NWHL. As a rookie, Hutchison appeared in 24 games and posted 11 points (3-8-11).
Riveters head coach Ivo Mocek made it a priority to bring these three players back. Mocek was quite complimentary when discussing the returners with the NWHL’s official website.
“You won’t find a harder-working player than Hutch,” Mocek said. “It says a lot about her that it was her first season in the league and our players picked her as one of the captains. Hutch’s work ethic and attitude inspire players. She was our most reliable penalty-killer.
“I can give Mal (Rushton) any role because she’s so versatile,” Mocek continued. “I believe next season will be her breakthrough year, now that she’s gotten used to the league and the pace. Leila was the most improved player on our team last season. She was very solid defensively and scored some big goals for us.”
Contract details were not disclosed by the league or the club.
