Connecticut Whale: All-Time PHF Starting Roster

One of the Founding Four teams in the NWHL, the Connecticut Whale played all eight seasons in the NWHL/PHF and compiled a record of 56-74-10 during the regular season. Their best season came in Season 7 where they finished 15-3-2 and finished atop the standing for the only time in franchise history. In the postseason they were 4-10, and made their lone Isobel Cup Final appearance in Season 7.

They had a total of 17 different netminders suit up for at least one game in a Whale uniform and 102 skaters rocked the green, blue, and white at least once. Coach Colton Orr spent the most time behind the bench for The Pod, finishing with a record of 33-33-6 over four seasons and a 3-4-1 postseason record.

CTW Franchise leaders:

Games Played: Shannon Turner (132)

Points: Kennedy Marchment (68)

Goals: Kennedy Marchment (30)

Assists: Shannon Turner (43)

Penalty Minutes: Shannon Turner (122)

Wins: Abbie Ives (22)

Shutouts: Abbie Ives (3)

Playoff Games: Shannon Turner (13)

Playoff Points: Kennedy Marchment (7)

Playoff Goals: Taylor Girard, Kelly Babstock (4)

Playoff Assists: Shannon Turner (6)

Playoff Penalty Minutes: Shannon Turner (21)

Playoff Wins: Abbie Ives (2)

Playoff Shutouts: Jaimie Leonoff (1)

My picks for Connecticut’s All-Time Roster:

F - Kennedy Marchment

F - Taylor Girard

F - Emily Fluke

D - Shannon Turner

D - Allie Munroe

G - Abbie Ives

The additions of both Kennedy Marchment and Taylor Girard had a large hand in turning around the fortunes of the Whale when they arrived prior to Season 7. During their time in the PHF they were the most dynamic duo in the league and a constant threat to affect the outcome of the game when they stepped on the ice. Their ability to work well with each other, and their teammate,s was worth the price of admission.

Allie Munroe was also a big part of that turnaround as well, and her presence on the blue line gave the Whale a threat they hadn’t had since Season One with Kaleigh Fratkin’s clap bombs. Shannon (Doyle) Turner and Emily Fluke were easily the two top leaders in franchise history, which is why they were Captain of the Pod when they were - helping to guide the team through dark times, and always leaving it all out on the ice.

Abbie Ives was easily the most successful goalie that Connecticut ever had and like Munroe, Girard, and Marchment, was a crucial piece of their turnaround from the basement of the NWHL to the penthouse of the PHF.

My honorable mention picks for Connecticut’s All-Time Roster:

F - Kelly Babstock

F - Sam Faber

F - Kelli Stack

D - Jordan Brickner

D - Elena Orlando

G - Brooke Wolejko

The early seasons of Whale hockey was filled with ups and downs and usually the ups corresponded with solid play from former Captain Sam Faber, former leading scorer Kelly Babstock, and Team USA sniper Kelli Stack.

The team had gone winless in postseason play until Brooke Wolejko’s magical performance in Season 5 snapped a four-year skid and we’ll never truly know how many shots Elena Orlando and Jordan Brickner blocked due to the substandard stat tracking during many seasons of the league.

Though the Whale never captured the Isobel Cup, they captured the hearts and attention of many fans near and far. Unfortunately at this time it seems that the logo and brand will end with the PHF, but no one can take away the memories they created or the friendships that blossomed from the franchise's existence.