BUFFALO – The Beauts have added former University of New Hampshire captain Maddie Truax to their 2022-23 team roster. The 23-year-old blueliner from Gardner, Massachusetts played five seasons for the UNH Wildcats. Truax’s deal with the Beauts is a single-year contract. Salary details will not be disclosed. Truax becomes the sixth player to join Buffalo for this Premier Hockey Federation season who has made the immediate jump from NCAA hockey to the professional level.
“I chose to play for the Beauts because of the supportive staff and the all-around positive team culture that surrounds the entire organization,” said Truax. “I am excited to be part of this team that promotes hard work and competitiveness. I cannot wait to begin the season and play with a great group of players.”
Truax played for UNH from 2017-18 through 2021-22. She served as an alternate captain for the 2020-21 season and then as team captain in 2021-22. Truax played 150 NCAA games for the Wildcats. She went 6-18-24 for scoring during that time and finished her career as a plus-6 for plus/minus. Truax led all UNH players with 79 blocked shots in 34 games during the recent 2021-22 season and finished seventh overall in the Hockey East conference.
“We love what Maddie brings on the defensive side of the puck,” said Beauts GM Nate Oliver. “Her shot-blocking capabilities are tremendous. A lot of great players have come out of the UNH program. We lost UNH alum Marie-Jo Pelletier to retirement this offseason, and I really believe that Maddie fills that gap for us in the defensive zone. As her assistant coach (and former PHF star) Sam Faber put it to me, ‘There is nothing (Maddie) wouldn’t do to win and better the team!’. Definitely a solid add for our team.”
On Nov. 19, 2021, Truax blocked eight shots in one game against nationally ranked Northeastern. She blocked at least one shot in each of her first 19 games of the 2021 -22 season, including multiple blocks in each of the first 10 contests. On Nov. 29 Truax was named Defensive Player of the Week by Hockey East. Prior to her time at UNH, she was an attendee for the USA National Development Inaugural 66 Camp and co-captained the Northern Cyclones NEWJHL Championship team in 2017.
A hard-nosed defender, Truax is ready to bring her rugged style of play to the Beauts organization.
“I am a hard-to-play-against, physical defender,” she said. “I will block shots, battle hard, and move the puck up ice at all costs. Although I am defensive-minded first, I do contribute offensively by joining the rush and shooting hard from the point. I look forward to showing both sides of my game at this level and hope to contribute to the team’s success in all situations.”
