The Metropolitan Riveters have signed a trio of players - Kaleigh Fratkin, Olivia Zufato, and McKenna Brand - who all played for the Boston Pride last season.
The Metropolitan Riveters have signed a trio of players - Kaleigh Fratkin, Olivia Zufato, and McKenna Brand - who all played for the Boston Pride last season.
With the new faces coming into the Boston Pride, the Pride chose to part ways with several veteran players. Their loss is the gain of the Metropolitan Riveters who got deeper and more experienced signing Kaleigh Fratkin, Olivia Zafuto, and McKenna Brand who all played in Boston last season. All three agreed to one-year contracts, with only Zafuto's $63,000 cap hit being disclosed.
Fratkin, a two-time PHF Defender of the Year has been in the league since its inception in 2015, spending the past six seasons in Boston. Prior to that, she played a single season with the Riveters, and is now set to make her return.
“We are excited to have Kaleigh return to the Riveters after multiple years in Boston,” said head coach Venla Hovi in a team press release. “She can play in many types of situations and her experience in the league is evidently valuable. She will bring more shooting power to the blue line and consistency to our back end. She will thrive in the professional environment of our organization.”
Fratkin, who played in the PHF All-Star game last season and represented Canada's U-18 national team prior to her NCAA career at Boston University, is happy to be back with the Riveters.
“I'm very happy to be coming back to the Riveters after all these seasons,” said Fratkin. “The Rivs have always had a special place in my heart because it reminds me of where this league started to where it is now. Ultimately, what influenced my decision to come here, is this organization made me feel valued as a person and player and welcomed me with open arms.
“I still want to accomplish things in this league, and I feel the Rivs are my home to do that,” she added. “The Rivs are doing everything right to build a championship winning team with their entire organization and that's something I want to be a part of again.”
Both Fratkin and forward McKenna Brand recorded 12 points in 24 games last season. Olivia Zufato, another blueliner had 10 points in 22 games. Zufato and Fratkin were second and third on the Boston Pride in scoring by defenders last season.
The Metropolitan Riveters have made quite the statement this offseason bringing in new players including Finnish legends Noora Räty and Susanna Tapani. The Riveters are rumored to have one of the strongest NCAA signing groups set to be announced as well.