NEW YORK – University of Maine alumna Audra Richards '16 has signed a contract to play for the Metropolitan Riveters of the NWHL, the league announced on Monday morning.
 
During her career as a Black Bear, Richards totaled 45 goals and 25 assists for 70 points from 2012-2016. She led the team in scoring in both her sophomore (15 goals) and senior seasons (14 goals). Richards finished her career tied fifth all-time in goals scored in team history, along with setting program record the games played in a career (132 games). An excellent student, she was selected to the Hockey East All-Academic Team four times as a kinesiology and physical education major. 
 
"Seeing the NWHL come to my home state of Minnesota made me realize I wasn't ready for my
hockey career to come to an end, so I'm incredibly excited and honored to join the Riveters," said Richards in a NWHL release. "The NWHL is truly doing something special for the sport that has defined me as a person my entire life. The Riveters gave me an opportunity of a lifetime and I could not be happier to represent such an amazing program."
 
A native of Maplewood, Minnesota, Richards will play for the defending champions of the NWHL in the Riveters in 2018-19. The squad posted an impressive 13-3 record last season, winning both the regular season and the Isobel Cup against the Buffalo Beauts.
 
Since graduating, she served as an elementary physical education teacher in her home state of Minnesota, along with coaching varsity girls' hockey, soccer and track and field. She has continued to play hockey, competing in several leagues and tournaments in the North Star State.

-UMaine-