Beauts sign Dominique Kremer to two-year deal, first signing of the 2022-23 season

PHF unrestricted free agency began yesterday, and today we have our first official signing announcement of the offseason. The Buffalo Beauts have signed defender Dominique Kremer to a two-year deal. This is the first contract with a two-year term in PHF history and, as far as we know, in the history of pro women’s hockey in North America.

Reviewing some PHF scoring events before I crash. What a backhander by Dominique Kremer. Gorgeous. pic.twitter.com/gcHH9jgmrU

— Mike Murphy (@DigDeepBSB) November 21, 2021

Kremer is hot off the heels of an All-Star caliber season in the PHF. With five goals and 11 points on the season, she led all blueliners in goals scored for 2021-22 and came second only to forward Autumn Macdougall in overall scoring for Buffalo. She was also strong on the power play alongside rookie Emilie Harley, with the two of them carrying the bulk of the TOI for the season and heading the top PP unit.

General manager Nate Oliver kept all of this in mind, acknowledging that Kremer “took her game to another level” in her sophomore season according to the press release announcing her signing:

I think she is one of the best defenders in the game today, and I don’t believe she gets enough credit throughout the hockey world as to how good she truly is. We are very fortunate that Dom is a Beaut for not one but two more seasons.

The Beauts have seen a lot of fluctuation on the blueline especially in the past two seasons, so having Kremer nailed down for two years is definitely going to bring some much-needed stability. The more they can keep their roster intact overall, the better, and that’s already a tall order with Marie-Jo Pelletier announcing her retirement in April and the future of two more veterans (Elena Orlando and Taylor Accursi) uncertain.

Kremer is dynamic on both sides of the puck, with great puck movement and the ability to charge the net when necessary. Moreover, she has the poise, experience, and ability to produce when needed that makes a strong leader. If Accursi does indeed decline to return for a sixth season, I can see her making a great captain for this young squad. Either way, she  has an upward trajectory that could spell a lot of success for the Beauts through 2024.