EASTON, Mass. (June 5, 2024) – Postgrad defender Grace Parker of the Stonehill College women’s ice hockey team recently signed a professional contract with Färjestad BK of the HockeyAllsvenskan – Division 1 in Sweden.

Färjestad BK Website

“We could not be more excited and prouder of Grace as she embarks on her next chapter, extending her playing career,” said Stonehill head coach Lee-J Mirasolo. “Not only is she a rock solid and steady defender, but she is also a tremendous leader both on and off the ice. We wish her the best and cannot wait to cheer her on next year.”

Parker co-captained the Skyhawks, alongside senior forward Paige Whaley, during her first full year with the team in 2023-24 to a 21-16-2 overall record to go along with a New England Women’s Hockey Alliance (NEWHA) Championship title and NCAA Tournament appearance in the program’s second year of existence.

Parker, a NEWHA Defensive Player of the Week honoree, appeared in all 39 games for Stonehill during the 2023-24 season. The postgrad defender lit the lamp on her first career goal in five seasons of collegiate hockey against her previous team, the University of Maine, on October 7. Parker also tallied career-highs across the board in assists (8), points (9), shots on goal (22), and on-ice rating (+5).

Parker played a vital role in the Skyhawks rotating penalty kill unit throughout the year, ranking 11th nationally with a solid 135-of-154 (.876) penalties killed. In addition, the defender was vital in helping Stonehill block the passing and shooting lanes for opponents; of the team’s 365 (9.35 blocks/game) blocks on the year, Parker ranked second on the squad with 47 blocked shots.

“I’m incredibly grateful for my time as a Skyhawk, especially for all my teammates, coaches, and support staff here at Stonehill that pushed me to this next level. I couldn’t have done it without them,” said Parker. “After we won the NEWHA and had such a successful season as a group, I felt I wasn’t ready to hang up the skates just yet. It’s always been a dream of mine to play professionally, and I’ve heard such great things about Färjestad and the program they are building, so I’m beyond excited to continue my hockey career there.”

Parker will join a Färjestad BK squad that finished the 2023-24 season with an 8-3 overall record, second in the HockeyAllsvenskan Northern standings, and undefeated 12-0 in the Division 1 Western standings.

The Nepean, Ontario native also becomes the second Skyhawk to join a professional team after their time at Stonehill in the program’s brief two-year history thus far. Parker joins former captain Katie Sonntag, who joined HC Davos of the Swiss Women’s Hockey League (SWHL) following her lone season dawning the Purple and White during the 2022-23 inaugural campaign.