Sarah Edney signs with the Buffalo Beauts

The defending Isobel Cup Champion Buffalo Beauts and the NWHL just made a huge splash in free agency. The Beauts have agreed to terms with star defender Sarah Edney, formerly of the Brampton (Markham) Thunder. Edney was the first overall pick of the 2015 CWHL Draft and picked up four goals and six assists in 14 games last season for the Thunder.

“The hardest part for me is leaving my teammates with the Thunder,” Edney shared in the NWHL's press release. “We had a close-knit team. I also want to acknowledge all of the volunteers around the Thunder franchise that made my time there so special. I’m eternally grateful to them.”

Edney missed 10 games last season, but still managed to score three even strength goals for the Thunder. She is exactly the kind of defender the Beauts needed to add after losing Megan Bozek and Emily Pfalzer to centralization.

Edney is no stranger to the States. She played her college hockey at Harvard University and scored at least 20 points in all four of her seasons with the Crimson.

The Ice Garden has also learned from an industry source that there may soon be more players from the CWHL leaving for the NWHL. The players, like Edney, are said to be from the Greater Toronto Area. This could have something to do with the changes that the CWHL is going through with the league's expansion into China. But it could also be tied to players who were left off of national teams looking for a change. We will have to keep our eyes peeled for any trends that emerge.

Have heard from industry source that at least 3 major CWHL players from GTA are looking to leave for NWHL. One very close to an agreement.

— Mike Murphy (@DigDeepBSB) August 18, 2017

Prior to Edney signing the Thunder lost Kaitlyn Tougas to the SDHL and Laura Stacey, Laura Fortino and Jocelyn Larocque to Olympic centralization. Clearly, the Thunder now have a pressing need to bolster their blue line.

The CWHL Draft takes place this Sunday.