PITTSBURGH — One of the leaders on the RMU women’s hockey team (8-10-4, 6-1-1 CHA) will be continuing her hockey career after graduation. Defender Maggie LaGue was drafted in the fifth round, and 22nd overall by the Connecticut Whale of the NWHL on Thursday.

When asked about the honor, LaGue said, “I’m extremely excited and humbled to be selected by the Connecticut Whale in the NWHL Draft. I could not have achieved this without the help of the coaching staff and my teammates here at RMU. Also, a special thanks to my family for being my greatest supporters all through the years. I cannot wait to help grow the game through this organization.”

LaGue joins former teammate Brittany Howard as the second Colonial picked in the draft in as many years, as Howard was drafted last year 10th overall by the Buffalo Beauts.

As a Colonial, LaGue has shown her leadership qualities on and off the ice. This past offseason, LaGue was named one of the tri-captains for the Colonials, joining fellow defender Kirsten Welsh, and Amber Rennie. LaGue also helped to organize the Colonials’ third annual Teddy Bear Toss on Nov. 30 against Penn State (7-9-2, 2-6-0 CHA). $300 in ticket sales were collected for the Autism Society of Pittsburgh, and 332 stuffed animals were thrown onto the ice in the 3-2 win.

Head coach Paul Colontino added, “We are very excited for Maggie, what a great honor! Maggie’s career here at RMU has been outstanding. She continues to grow as a person and player each day. Her skill sets and leadership qualities will be a huge asset for Connecticut.”

In her collegiate career, the Barre, Vermont native has been a star puck-moving defender, first in all-time assists by a defender with 72. Coming into Robert Morris’ upcoming games against the Syracuse Orange (4-14-1, 4-3-0 CHA), LaGue sits ninth in school history with 84 points, only needing four to tie Kirsten Welsh.

This year, the 5-foot-8-inch defender has already eclipsed her single-season goal record with four, and has 11 assists, good enough for 15 points. Her 15 points currently have her tied for fourth in the NCAA for defenders, and LaGue leads all Division-I defenders with nine power play assists and 11 power play points.

In Connecticut, LaGue will look to bolster a Whale squad that features former Colonial netminder Meeri Räisänen, and currently sits fourth in the NWHL out of five teams with five points in seven games this year. The Whale need help on the blue line, as their 23 goals against in the second highest in the league, bested by only the Metropolitan Riveters with 39. LaGue can join the Whale as soon as she graduates from RMU in the spring, or is no longer under NCAA rules. Connecticut’s regular season is set to end on March 3, as they take on the Minnesota Whitecaps.