Photo by: Rich Gagnon
Davis Selected First Overall by Boston Pride in 2020 NWHL Draft
April 28, 2020 | Women's Ice Hockey
BOSTON - Sammy Davis of the Boston University women's ice hockey team was selected first overall by the Boston Pride in the 2020 NWHL Draft on Tuesday night.
Davis is the third Terrier in school history to be selected first overall in a North American professional sports league. Kayla Tutino ('16) was the top pick in the 2016 CWHL Draft while Rick DiPietro of the men's ice hockey team was taken by the New York Islanders with the first choice in the 2000 NHL Draft. Boston University is the only school in the country to boast the No. 1 pick in three different major North American professional hockey drafts.
"I'm so grateful I get to play in my favorite city for another year and have the support of my family and friends," Davis said. "I have to thank all my coaches that have helped me along the way. I can't wait to get started."
"Being selected first overall is a great reminder of how hard Sammy has worked and the talent that she brings to the game," Terrier head coach Brian Durocher said. "Her work ethic, off-ice effort and consistent preparation has been on display throughout her time at Boston University. I know that the Pride will be getting a person of character and ability who will embrace the challenge of professional hockey. Our program is extremely proud of Sammy and we're excited to watch her excel at the next level."
A native of Pembroke, Massachusetts, Davis was a three-time captain of the Terriers and led the squad in 2019-20 with 17 goals, 24 assists and 41 points. She finished her illustrious career with 66 goals and 76 assists for 142 points in 147 career games. Davis was twice named as a league All-Star, including a first-team nod in 2019-20 and a second-team honor in 2018-19. During her freshman campaign in 2015-16, she was named to the league's All-Rookie Team. She was also named the MVP of the 2019 Beanpot as she scored the game-winning goal in overtime to deliver her team its first Beanpot since 1981.
"Sammy could not be more deserving of the first overall draft pick," Pride general manager Karilyn Pilch ('09) said. "Her work ethic, coupled with her talent, has positioned her as one of the top players in this year's NCAA graduating class. As talented as she is on the ice, her selflessness and leadership in both our local and global communities makes her a perfect fit for our culture. I am excited to watch her grow as a player as she is challenged by her teammates and battles to compete in the NWHL."
The 2020 Sarah Devens Award winner, Davis earned her bachelor's degree in behavior and health in May 2019 and will graduate this spring with a master's degree in special education. Through her time at BU, she has maintained a 3.59 GPA while taking a challenging course load and has been named to the Hockey East All-Academic Team four times in her career to be included among an elite group of Hockey East Distinguished Scholars. Davis has been admitted to the Massachusetts General Hospital doctorate program where she will earn her doctorate in occupational therapy.
Davis is the sixth Terrier to be selected in the NWHL Draft. She will join a Pride squad that qualified for the 2020 Isobel Cup Final thanks to contributions from former Terriers Kaleigh Fratkin ('14), Victoria Hanson ('17), Jordan Juron ('16) and Mary Parker ('17). Pilch, a goaltender on the Terriers' inaugural team who later served as the program's director of operations from 2016-19, will enter her second season as GM of the Pride in 2020-21.
Davis is the third Terrier in school history to be selected first overall in a North American professional sports league. Kayla Tutino ('16) was the top pick in the 2016 CWHL Draft while Rick DiPietro of the men's ice hockey team was taken by the New York Islanders with the first choice in the 2000 NHL Draft. Boston University is the only school in the country to boast the No. 1 pick in three different major North American professional hockey drafts.
"I'm so grateful I get to play in my favorite city for another year and have the support of my family and friends," Davis said. "I have to thank all my coaches that have helped me along the way. I can't wait to get started."
"Being selected first overall is a great reminder of how hard Sammy has worked and the talent that she brings to the game," Terrier head coach Brian Durocher said. "Her work ethic, off-ice effort and consistent preparation has been on display throughout her time at Boston University. I know that the Pride will be getting a person of character and ability who will embrace the challenge of professional hockey. Our program is extremely proud of Sammy and we're excited to watch her excel at the next level."
A native of Pembroke, Massachusetts, Davis was a three-time captain of the Terriers and led the squad in 2019-20 with 17 goals, 24 assists and 41 points. She finished her illustrious career with 66 goals and 76 assists for 142 points in 147 career games. Davis was twice named as a league All-Star, including a first-team nod in 2019-20 and a second-team honor in 2018-19. During her freshman campaign in 2015-16, she was named to the league's All-Rookie Team. She was also named the MVP of the 2019 Beanpot as she scored the game-winning goal in overtime to deliver her team its first Beanpot since 1981.
"Sammy could not be more deserving of the first overall draft pick," Pride general manager Karilyn Pilch ('09) said. "Her work ethic, coupled with her talent, has positioned her as one of the top players in this year's NCAA graduating class. As talented as she is on the ice, her selflessness and leadership in both our local and global communities makes her a perfect fit for our culture. I am excited to watch her grow as a player as she is challenged by her teammates and battles to compete in the NWHL."
The 2020 Sarah Devens Award winner, Davis earned her bachelor's degree in behavior and health in May 2019 and will graduate this spring with a master's degree in special education. Through her time at BU, she has maintained a 3.59 GPA while taking a challenging course load and has been named to the Hockey East All-Academic Team four times in her career to be included among an elite group of Hockey East Distinguished Scholars. Davis has been admitted to the Massachusetts General Hospital doctorate program where she will earn her doctorate in occupational therapy.
Davis is the sixth Terrier to be selected in the NWHL Draft. She will join a Pride squad that qualified for the 2020 Isobel Cup Final thanks to contributions from former Terriers Kaleigh Fratkin ('14), Victoria Hanson ('17), Jordan Juron ('16) and Mary Parker ('17). Pilch, a goaltender on the Terriers' inaugural team who later served as the program's director of operations from 2016-19, will enter her second season as GM of the Pride in 2020-21.
Players Mentioned
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