Haley Skarupa signs with Boston Pride

Another lion joins the Pride and this time it’s star forward Haley Skarupa.

Haley Skarupa may be making her (preseason) Boston Pride debut tonight. Prior to today’s official announcement from the NWHL, the league told members of the media that the high-scoring national team forward was signing with the Pride after playing her rookie season in Connecticut.

Skarupa is the third player from the 2016-17 Connecticut Whale roster to sign with the Pride. She joins former college and professional teammates Kaliya Johnson and Dana Trivigno on what looks to be the most dominant offensive team in the NWHL for the third straight season. The Pride’s forward depth looks downright scary.

“Having the opportunity to join the Boston Pride this season is hugely exciting for me,” Skarupa shared in the league’s press release. “I loved playing in the NWHL and with the Connecticut Whale last season, and I’m looking to continue to develop my game and win a championship in Boston.”

Skarupa was one of the NWHL’s brightest new stars last season. She had 22 points in 16 games to lead Connecticut in scoring, finishing three points ahead of Kelly Babstock and Kelli Stack. Skarupa is the second player who led her team in scoring in 2016-17 to sign with the Pride for 2017-18 (the other being former Riveters center Janine Weber). It’s safe to say that the Pride are going to find a way to score goals even without Brianna Decker, Hilary Knight, Alex Carpenter and Meghan Duggan in the lineup.

With Skarupa signed the Pride’s roster now stands at 23 (of a possible 25) players signed for the 2017-18. Boston plays its first preseason game tonight against Team Russia at 7:30 p.m. at the Warrior Ice Arena.