Pride rookies rely on veterans

Nobody on the ice at Warrior Ice Arena yesterday dreamed of playing professional hockey growing up.

Though for rookies of the National Women’s Hockey League, in its fourth season, there was something to strive for the past couple of years.

“When I came in as a freshman, there wasn’t an opportunity,” said Pride rookie goalie Katie Burt before last night’s 4-2 victory against Connecticut. “It was my sophomore year the NWHL started. To have that ex- perience and have that extra goal to play hockey after college was awesome.”

The Pride (2-0-0) have five rookies — all from Northeastern or Boston College — and they all witnessed former teammates and opponents skate in the pro ranks for three seasons.

For those who had graduated college by the time the NWHL began, the idea of playing professional hockey in the United States wasn’t a hope.

Emily Field has been with the Pride since their inception, and the former Eagle — one of six on the roster — still hasn’t settled into an established routine like there is in the college game.

But there’s still a sense of comfort that only comes with time, something the young players still need.

“I say to them to make sure you’re taking care of yourself off-ice, because it’s a little different taking care of yourself than college where you’re working out all the time with the team,” Field said. “Not doing that now, it’s a little more responsibility yourself and realizing you have a job to do.”

But for the veterans, they have an idea of what to expect. Turnover is common, especially last season when several players, including eight from the Pride, were skating in the Olympics.

The Pride maintained most of last season’s core group, including Field on the top line with captain Jillian Dempsey, and defensemen like Alyssa Gagliardi and Lexi Bender. Their Whale (0-3-0) lost several key players from the year before and brought in more international players than any team in the league.

After the Pride were hit the hardest by the national team players departing, they struggled to start to create chemistry last season.

This year, that turmoil may have molded the most cohesive team in the league.

“It helps a ton having a lot of people in the locker room last year who are back,” said Bender. “The new players have been a great addition, too.”

Gutting so many players from last year’s lineup led to a noticeably tough start with four straight losses. Last Saturday’s 5-1 win over the defending champion Metropolitan Riveters looked more like where the Pride left last season, when they won their last two to end the campaign.

Last season, they scored five goals in a game just once. Through a mix of rookies looking to make an impact and seasoned skaters with a base of experience, the Pride have balance throughout the roster.

“There’s a lot of chemistry in the locker room,” said Field. “Even the new kids we added have added to the positive vibes from the locker room last year.”

The rookies have a good locker room, with veterans experienced in the highs (an Isobel Cup) and lows (last season’s first round exit.)

“They have more familiarity with how things work; it’s something they’ve been thinking about longer,” Bender said of the rookies. “More than we were, because it’s been around for them.”

The veterans of the league don’t take for granted there was a time before any of it was possible. With three years under their belt, playing hockey has become a fact of life.

“Hockey is the highlight of my life,” said Bender. “Coming to the rink every day, I get to play a game.”

For the rookies, there’s still a learning curve, but the sense of security, and advice from those who have been there, have them off to a solid start.

“It’s exceeded expectations,” said Burt. “The NWHL has done a great job. I’m looking forward to a great season.”