Buffalo Beauts sign Marie-Jo Pelletier, first of NWHL free agency

The Buffalo Beauts announced this morning the (re)signing of defender Marie-Jo Pelletier, who has consequently become the first player signed on for season seven in the NWHL.

Pelletier has long been heralded as one of the new cornerstones of the Beauts franchise after signing her rookie contract in 2019, fresh out of the University of New Hampshire. She’s lauded for her defensive prowess, and, in Lake Placid, notched three secondary assists and registered 14 blocks. Though she’s only played 30 regular season games for the Beauts, Pelletier is only two points shy of tying Emily Matheson for the franchise record in points by a defender (26).

“I am so excited to be returning to the Beauts for my third NWHL season,” said Pelletier in the Beauts’ release. “I am looking forward to being back on the ice in front of the best fans in the league! We will be ready for Season 7, and I can’t be more excited to be rocking the baby blue again. I can’t wait to hit the ice with the great group that we’re putting together!”

Beauts general manager Nate Oliver is equally excited about having Pelletier return to the squad’s blue line. “[Pelletier] is one of the best defenders in Beauts’ history and it was very important for us to make sure she was back for Season 7. Her leadership skills, the amount of points she generates, her prowess on the power play, her ability to adapt to any situation, and so on and so forth. The amount of positives that MJ brings to our team are seemingly endless.”

Pelletier becomes the first player in the league to sign on for season seven, a significant milestone ahead of the opening of unrestricted free agency on May 15.

Data and statistics courtesy of TheirHockeyCounts.