Jessica Belmosto

photo by: Kaylin Markart

The Premier Hockey Federation is the only professional women’s hockey league in North America. It is composed of Division 1 champions, Olympic hopefuls, and some of Plattsburgh State’s own alumni. Former Cardinals goaltender Brooke Wolejko found herself on a brand new team for her third season. So, how did the National Champion make the jump to the pros?

Wolejko grew up in the rink. She watched her older sister play and eventually laced up her own skates. “I played in a boy’s youth league until I was 8,” She said. “and then I switched over to a CT girls hockey program.” She grew up in the game and fell head over heels in love with it. Her drive and talent led her to play hockey at the collegiate level.   Wolejko attended Plattsburgh State her senior year after transferring from St. Lawrence University. 

The goaltender wanted more as an athlete and Plattsburgh State could give her that. “I felt like Plattsburgh would give me the opportunity to grow as an athlete and I heard awesome things about the women’s hockey program.” Wolejko said.  

Her numbers at Plattsburgh were stellar. Through thirteen games, she posted a .95 goals-against average and save percentage of .962. She wrapped up her college career and was hungry for more. She joined the NWHL a year after she graduated. 

“I transitioned to the pros a year after I graduated. It was challenging adjusting to the speed of the game after being away for that long.” Wolejko said. “ It took me some time to get my feet under me, but after about a month into the season, I felt more confident and comfortable keeping up with the pace of the game.”

She spent her first two seasons in the league with the Connecticut Whale. Wolejko would find herself on the free-agent market after the 2020 season. She and the Whale parted ways and Metropolitan Riveters General manager Anya Packer was ready to swoop in and take her team to the next level. 

“When we saw that Wolejko was becoming available we immediately turned our attention to the strong netminder,” Packer said. “ In our opinion, it was a great addition to our goaltending strength, and after successfully seeing her and Shelly work together in CT, we knew reuniting the pair would lead to sparks in our goaltending race.” 
She made quite the first impression within the organization. She finished her first season with the team with .915 Sv%, the highest save percentage by any Riveters goalie. Packer adds that she elevated the type of play they were looking for in the defensive zone. Wolejko spent the season working with the Riveters goaltending coach and was never afraid to ask questions. Her love for the game made her that much easier to coach and work with.
Mike Murphy, a PHF statistician, noted that Wolejko played a technically sound game. “She’s always square to the shooter and is never scrambling around in her crease,” said Murphy. “ Early in the 2021-22 PHF season, the Rivs had a lot of defensive breakdowns but Wolejko was always calm and collected. Rebounds go where she wants them to go – into the corners and other areas where they can’t do harm.”

She spent the season working with the Riveters goaltending coach and never being afraid to ask questions. Her mindset and strength helped lead the team in performing at a stronger and full game. “She has made our team stronger,” Packer added. “She exemplified our goals of playing solid 60-minute games, and always striving to be stronger.”

Her play doesn’t just impress those who cover the game, but Riveters head coach Ivo Mocek as well. “She is very calm in the net but yet very competitive,” he said.  “and it is so great to see how supportive she and Sonjia Shelly are of each other no matter who is in the net at the moment.”  He notes that she comes to the rink with a smile on her face and has a genuine love for the game. 

The Metropolitan Riveters are headed to Tampa Bay Florida this week for the Isobel Cup playoffs The Riveters secured the four seed with a 7-12-1 record They look to bring the championship back to Jersey for the second time after winning it back in 2018.

“I’m excited to see her in Tampa,” Packer said. “Brooke is an incredibly thought-driven goalie, she thinks the game very well. She adds an enormous amount of skill and precision to the position.” 

When asked to share words of encouragement to players in college who may be considering the jump to the pros, she says go for it! “Play the game as long as you can.”