RPI Alumae Alexa Gruschow named NWHL MVP
BROOKLYN, N.Y. » The National Women’s Hockey League ( NWHL) announced that Rensselaer Alumnae Alexa Gruschow ‘16 was named the NWHL Most Valuable Player by the NWHL Players Association.
Gruschow lead the lead in scoring this season with 22 points on nine goals and 13 assists with 1.38 points per game. A forward for the Metropolitan Riveters (143), she scored a league high four game-winning goals.
“I want to thank the PA for granting me this remarkable award which I accept with gratification,” Gruschow said. “It is truly an honor to be considered in this competitive category amongst such admirable talent. I find it very humbling and incredibly inspiring to receive tremendous support and encouragement from everyone involved with this growing league. I owe it to my teammates, coaches, family, friends, and the NWHL for helping me find success in my game and highlighting my contributions. I can say with pure confidence that this has been my favorite season of hockey thus far, and I take great pride in being named the NWHL’s MVP.”
Gruschow’s MVP honor comes on the tails of a NWHL All- Star selection in January. The Mechanicsburg, Penn. native, along with fellow Engineer alumnae Jor- dan Smelker ‘14, played for the winning “Team Ott” in the All-Star Game in Saint Paul, Minn. on Feb. 11 where Gruschow buried two goals with Smelker adding one of her own.
Gruschow and Smelker were also named to Team NWHL, the squad that represented the league in two games against the U.S. Olympic Team in January. These exhibition games were the final tune- ups for Team USA in preparation for the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in Pyeong Chang, South Korea. The first game was a scoreless deadlock while the second contest ended 6-2 in favor of Team USA. Team USA went on to win the Gold Medal in a shootout win over Team Canada.
Gruschow earned numerous awards throughout her RPI career, including the team’s Most Valuable Player following the 2015-16 season. She was named to the ECAC Hockey All-Rookie Team in 2012-13 as well as the team Rookie of the Year. A multiple ECAC Hockey All-Academic selection, the Biology major was a multiple Dean’s List honoree.
Over the course of her four year career, Gruschow was posted 48 goals, 47 assists and 93 points. The forward ranks ninth in RPI career history in points and tenth in goals. A captain her senior year, Gruschow led the Engineers in scoring all four years of her tenure, including a 27 point season her rookie campaign (13 goals, 14 assists).
In the NWHL playoffs, the Riveters advanced to the Isobel Cup Final for the first time in team history with a 5- 0 win over the Connecticut Whale (3-14) on Sunday night. Metropolitan will take on the Buffalo Beauts (13- 4) who defeated the Boston Pride (4-13) in a 3-2 overtime thriller on Saturday.
The Beauts, who are the reigning Isobel Cup Champions, are set to defend their title against the Riveters on Mar. 25 at 3:00 p.m. the Barnabas Health Hockey House, the home rink of the Riveters.