Roster Review: Metropolitan Riveters

The Metropolitan Riveters have 22 players under contract, including 13 newcomers to the team. Who are the key additions, returnees, rookies, and subtractions?

The Metropolitan Riveters are entering the 2023-2024 with a lot of new faces on their roster. In total, there are 13 new players joining what looks to be a vastly improved Metropolitan Riveters team.

They've added veteran stars from inside and outside the league, as well as university talent from the NCAA and USports.

If the Riveters can find on ice chemistry, they'll be a contender.

The additions of Susanna Tapani and Noora Räty could be game changing for the Riveters. Two of the top players in the world, considered among the top 30 from any nation in the world by many, will have an immediate impact as veteran presences, and in their on ice contributions. While Räty received most of the hype, Tapani could prove to be the most impactful addition bringing her big frame and power forward game down the middle. Räty is a first ballot Hockey Hall of Famer, while Tapani will receive consideration herself. If it ended there, the Rivs would be improved, but the team also brought in defenders Kaleigh Fratkin, a former PHF Defender of the Year, and Olivia Zufato from the Boston Pride to solidify their blueline, and they grabbed Czechia national team leader Katerina Mrazova from the Connecticut Whale after she scored nearly a point per game last season. Metropolitan also added Boston assistant captain McKenna Brand up front. It's depth and experience like the Riveters haven't had in years.

Madison Packer leads the way for the Riveters, followed by forward standouts Amanda Pelkey and Sarah Bujold. Up front Fanni Gasparics, Hayley Lunny, and Kennedy Ganser are also back for second go arounds, and it will be interesting to see what kind of output they can create with more talent around them. On the blueline, Finns Minnamari Tuominen and Anna Kilponen round out a veteran core teaming up with Zufato and Fratkin to help mentor the two newcomers on the blueline. Abby Cook will also join the blueline. The final returnee is Rachel McQuigge in net, who will play spot duty backing up Räty. 

The biggest name not returning to the Riveters is physical presence Kelly Babstock who tied Packer for the team lead in scoring last year. According to sources, Babstock's ask was too rich for the Riveters who wanted to field a more balanced roster talent-wise, and in how they compensate players. Last year's starting goalie Katie Burt moved to Boston, but it was a move mandated by Räty joining the Rivs. Other mainstays who won't be back include Reagan Rust, Emilie Harley, Kendall Cornine, Ebba Berglund, and Sarah Forster.

Emma Seitz will certainly have a chance to step into Metropolitan's top four throughout the year contributing at both ends of the ice. With a veteran four core, Seitz and fellow rookie blueliner Lauren Dabrowski will have insulation on the back end, with Abby Cook competing for ice time as well. Up front, Lexie Adzija, Noemi Neubauerova, Anneke Linser, and Naomi Rogge represent a solid NCAA signing group. Adzija has the opportunity to impact the game in a variety of ways, not only on the scoresheet, but as a physical presence as well. The foursome will likely start speckling the Riveters' third and fourth lines, but each has the ability to move up and down the lineup. Neubauerova could be deployed alongside Mrazova looking to connect some of the Czechia national team magic.