2020 Third Overall Draft Pick Carly Jackson, Record-Breaking Goalie at Maine, Signs with Buffalo

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MAY 4, 2020 

BUFFALO – Carly Jackson, who established new records as a goaltender at the University of Maine in wins, goals-against average, save percentage, and shutouts, has signed a contract to play the upcoming NWHL season with the Buffalo Beauts. Last Tuesday, Jackson was selected third overall by the Beauts in the 2020 NWHL Draft.

“It means everything to me to be playing for Buffalo in the NWHL next season and to have the opportunity to play professional hockey and inspire the young athletes of the future,” said Jackson, who was raised in Amherst, Nova Scotia. “I’m looking forward to meeting my hockey family in Buffalo and bringing a championship to this city. Go Beauts!”

When she completed her collegiate career at Maine earlier this year, Jackson left the Black Bears as the school's all-time leader in wins (45), saves (3029), save percentage (.923), shutouts (12) and goals-against average (2.15). In 2019-20, she had her career-best save percentage (.934) and GAA (1.90). She made at least 40 saves in a game six times during her career with Maine, the most coming in a Feb. 28, 2020 victory over Boston University when she turned aside 57 shots.

Internationally, Jackson won a silver medal with Team Canada at the IIHF U-18 World Championships in Buffalo in 2015 and a gold medal with Team Nova Scotia U-18 at the Atlantic Challenge Cup.

In the first round of the draft, Jackson saw her selection announced by Hockey Hall of Famer Pat LaFontaine, who was picked third overall in the NHL Draft in 1983 and had a brilliant career with the three New York State NHL teams: the Islanders, Rangers and Sabres.

“It was an amazing honour to be introduced by Pat LaFontaine,” Jackson said via email. “The NWHL did a phenomenal job with the draft and I can’t say enough about how much of a class act this league is. It’s also incredible to see the growth of women’s hockey and all of the ambassadors of this league.”

Jackson is the fourth player signed by the Beauts for the upcoming season, following forward Taylor Accursi and defenders Lisa Chesson and Marie-Jo Pelletier.

Photo credit: Mats Bekkevold

About the National Women’s Hockey League (NWHL)

Established in 2015, the NWHL was the first professional women’s hockey league in North America to pay its players. The mission of the league is to fuel the continued growth of the sport and brand of pro women’s hockey. The league is made up of the Boston Pride, Buffalo Beauts, Connecticut Whale, Metropolitan Riveters, Minnesota Whitecaps, and a new expansion team in Toronto that will begin play in the upcoming season. Visit NWHL.zone and follow on Twitter and Facebook @NWHL and Instagram @NWHL.zone