Nicole Guagliardo, the flashy offensive forward out of Adrian College, has been selected in the NWHL draft by the Connecticut Whale. The Bulldogs’ Guagliardo led the Bulldogs in points with 33, coming off 16 goals and 17 total assists. She scored five goals on the power play, two empty net goals, and six game winners. Guagliardo was named to the 2019-20 NCHA All-Conference team to complete her senior year. Her six game winning goals tied for first in NCAA Division III.
Guagliardo transferred to Adrian College to finish out her NCAA career as a senior. She transferred from Lindenwood University. Of her 63 career points, she scored 33 of them for Adrian during the 2019-2020 campaign. She helped lead the Bulldogs to a Slaats Cup championship and the program was poised for a deep run into the NCAA playoffs.
BREAKING: @AdrianWHockey's @NicoleGuags has been selected in the @NWHL draft by the @CTWhale_NWHL. Here is Head Coach Shawn Skelly with some thoughts 👇#godawgs #adrian #bulldogs #actv @AdrianCollege @AdrianBulldogs pic.twitter.com/sibjBIfGUb
— Adrian College TV (@AdrianCollegeTV) April 30, 2020
112 Game Played | 31 Career Goals | 32 Career Assists
I couldn’t have been more impressed with her. Nicole led our team in scoring this year and led by example – Adrian Head Coach Shawn Skelly
“This opportunity to continue her hockey career in Connecticut is something I know Nicole will cherish and also work very hard to succeed against the league’s elite. So proud of you Nicole and good luck in Connecticut,” said Adrian Head Coach Shawn Skelly.
The Connecticut Whale are based in Danbury, Connecticut. It is one of the four charter franchises of the National Women’s Hockey League. Its name and colors are an homage to the former NHL and WHA franchise known as the Hartford Whalers.
What an amazing day for @AdrianCollege. @NicoleGuags has been selected in the @NWHL draft by the @CTWhale_NWHL. Congratulations, Nicole. You embody the Black & Gold!#godawgs #adrian #bulldogs #actv #nwhldraft @AdrianCollege @AdrianBulldogs pic.twitter.com/Ub597Y9r9z
— Gabriel Schray (@schrayguy) April 30, 2020
Guagliardo is now the 7th hockey player from Adrian College’s women’s team to go pro. She joins teammate Kelly O’Sullivan, who was drafted moments before by the Buffalo Beauts. Adrian College alumni Hannah McGowan, Sarah Shureb, Kaylyn Schroka, & Kristin Lewicki all have also played in the NWHL.
Connecticut desperately needs help on the offensive end of the ice, and will surely receive some from the flashy Bulldog forward. The Whale only scored 39 goals last year and finished 2-20. They’ll be counting on Guagliardo making an immediate impact on the offensive end of the ice. Something that isn’t hard for Adrian fans to imagine.
This article includes information and media from Adrian College’s sports information department, the NWHL and the NCAA hockey team at Adrian. For more college sports, follow us on Twitter @MWSNsports or like our page on Facebook.
