BURLINGTON, Vt. – Thursday afternoon the NWHL announced that former standout defenseman Sammy Kolowrat '19 has signed with the Metropolitan Riveters for the 2020-21 season.

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"I hope to be an inspiration for younger girls to pursue professional hockey," said Kolowrat. "I'd like to thank the Metropolitan Riveters for this opportunity and I can't wait to get out there for my first pro season. I'm so grateful and excited to be a part of the NWHL."

The defender played 141 games over four seasons from 2016-2019 at UVM, serving as captain her senior year. She was honored as team MVP in 2019. During the 2016-17 campaign, she helped lead the Catamounts to their second-ever berth in the Hockey East Semifinals.

Kolowrat also has an extensive history playing for the Czech Republic national team. She had a goal and an assist in six games as the Czech Republic finished fourth at the 2013 IIHF World Championship in Ottawa. In 2017, she was voted Most Outstanding Defender at the IIHF Group C Olympic Qualifiers. She most recently represented her country at the 2019 IIHF World Championship in Espoo, Finland.

"Sammy is a strong defender who brings a lot of international hockey experience and knows what it takes to compete against the best players," said Riveters head coach Ivo Mocek in a statement released by the NWHL. "She is a significant addition to the Riveters and there's no doubt in my mind she will elevate our defensive play."

The Windjammer and Upper Deck Pub is the presenting sponsor of the UVM women's hockey program.