Sarah Phillier didn't have to go far to begin her career as a professional hockey player.
Phillier, a graduate of nearby Princeton University, was selected first overall by PWHL New York in Monday's Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) Draft.
It's a natural fit that goes beyond local ties.
The 24-year-old Phillier leaves Princeton University ranked fourth in school history with 93 goals and second in assists with 101. She recorded a career-high 30 goals in 29 games last season, making her the only player in NCAA women's ice hockey to average more than a goal per game.
She joins a New York team in need of offensive power after finishing second-bottom in the league's inaugural 2023-24 season with 53 goals and last in the six-team standings with five wins, four losses, three ties and 12 points.
“I want to contribute to that team right away,” Fillier told the Daily News.
“I bring a lot of speed and creativity to the offensive side of things,” she said, “I love having fun in the offensive zone and being able to contribute to the team every night, but I also think I can play really accountable in the defensive zone and develop a perfect 200-foot game.”
Phillier will join a New York roster led by forward Alex Carpenter, who was fourth in the PWHL with 23 points last season. Phillier said he has told New York general manager Pascal D'Aoust and newly hired head coach Greg Fargo he is willing to play center or wing, where he spent the final four months of his senior season.
The PWHL's debut last year came after the Canadian Women's Hockey League folded in 2019. Fillier said she watched many PWHL games from her dorm room at Princeton University last season and believes the league has exceeded expectations in its first year.
“I think everyone involved in this draft has a responsibility to continue to move this league forward and grow,” Phillier said. “We had some great role models in the league last year, and what they accomplished in the league was inspiring and motivating, and I hope this new draft class does the same.”
New York rotated between three venues last season: Total Mortgage Arena in Bridgeport, Connecticut, UBS Arena in Elmont, New York and the Prudential Center in Newark.
The team is hoping the 5-foot-5 Phillier can add a boost to a team in need of stability following the hiring of Fargo, who joined last week after 12 seasons at Colgate University, where he led the Hamilton, N.Y., school to a 27-6-1 record in the 2023-24 season.
The Toronto native played for the Canadian women's gold medal-winning team at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, where she scored eight goals in seven games, second-highest total for Canada.
“In the Olympics you have to deal with a lot of stress and adversity and you never know what's going to happen until the first game,” Fillier said.
“This is probably what the summer will be like until we finally step on the ice and put on our New York jerseys. The international game is physical and fast-paced and I think a professional league will provide exactly that.”
