Wisconsin hockey: two Badgers selected in the NWHL Draft

The National Women’s Hockey League held their draft over Tuesday and Wednesday night and a pair of former Badgers were selected on Day 2. Presley Norby and Maddie Rowe were selected by the Minnesota Whitecaps in the 2020 National Women’s Hockey League Draft on Wednesday evening. Norby went in round three while Rowe was selected in round five.

A.J. Harrison, the assistant director of brand communications for the UW Athletic Department, wrote up a press release on the two former Wisconsin Badgers stars.

Norby ended her Badger career with 94 points in 153 games and tallied at least 20 points in each of her four seasons with the Badgers. Ten of her 38 career goals were game-winning efforts and the Minnetonka, Minnesota, native was a part of five WCHA championship teams at Wisconsin and helped UW win its fifth NCAA title in 2019. Norby was a three-time WCHA All-Academic team member and was named the WCHA Rookie of the Month in October of 2016.

A native of River Falls, Rowe was a versatile member of the Badgers lineup as she split between forward and defense her first two seasons before spending her final two years as a mainstay on the blue line. Rowe recorded 30 points during her Badger career and a +50 plus/minus rating. Her sophomore season was one to remember as she recorded a career-best 19 points and was named the WCHA Forward of the Week after a three-point outing against St. Cloud State.

Throughout the draft various league officials, superfans and other hockey luminaries announced each pick online. When Norby was picked, a familiar face to Badgers fans made the announcement.

Norby, who as a Minnesota native will be enjoying a homecoming of sorts, and Rowe are the only two Badgers on the roster and will undoubtedly help continue the championship pedigree that the Whitecaps (the defending league champions) have.