Whitecaps Sign Defender Madison Bizal to Two-Year Deal

The Minnesota Whitecaps announced on Monday that they have signed defender Madison Bizal to a two-year contract. The details of the contract were not disclosed.

After winning a gold medal at the 2018 IIHF U18 Women's World Junior Championship with Team USA, Bizal went on to play five seasons at Ohio State University where she scored 79 points (12G, 67A) and blocked 240 shots in 172 career games.

Bizal played in every game for the Buckeyes during her time there and graduated tied for the program’s all-time lead in games played. She also earned WCHA All-Academic Team and WCHA Scholar-Athlete honors four times each.

The Elk River, Minnesota native was also named one of five finalists for the Ms. Hockey award in 2018.

“It is truly an honor to start my professional hockey career in Minnesota,” Bizal said in a press release about her contract. “I grew up in Minnesota and played hockey here most of my life, except college, and am really proud of that. I am so excited to be back in Minnesota to play in front of my home state's crowd and represent them on the pro level.”

“I’m looking forward to playing with such a talented group of players and continuing to develop my game with the level of play that this team and the league brings,” she said.

Bizal is the 16th Whitecaps player under contract so far this offseason, joining forwards Liz Schepers, Ashleigh Brykaliuk, Anna Klein, Ronja Mogren, Brittyn Fleming, Brooke Bryant, Abigail Boreen, Catie Skaja, and Claire Butrorac; defenders Olivia Knowles, Amanda Boulier, Maggie Flaherty and Sidney Morin; and goaltenders Amanda Leveille and Chantal Burke.