Blades select Montreal native Kayla Tutino first in 2016 CWHL draft

TORONTO – Forward Kayla Tutino was selected first overall on Sunday by the Boston Blades in the 2016 Canadian Women’s Hockey League draft.

The 23-year-old Tutino, from Montreal, played the past five seasons with the Boston University Terriers. She spent the 2015-16 season as team captain and produced 11 goals and 30 points in 39 games.

A total of 76 players from CIS, NCAA and six national women’s teams were selected by the five-team league that’s heading into its 10th season of play.

“The 2016 CWHL draft class represents another amazing group of NCAA and CIS graduates who bring their skill, determination, and leadership to our league,” said CWHL commissioner Brenda Andress.

“This outstanding talent is a complement to our already incredible players and shows that the CWHL will again ice the best competition that this sport has to offer.”

Defenceman Renata Fast, from Burlington, Ont., went second overall to the Toronto Furies after playing at Clarkson University. Dartmouth University winger Laura Stacey, from Kleinburg, Ont., was picked third by the Brampton Thunder.

Goaltender Emerance Maschmeyer of Bruderheim, Alta., was selected fourth by the 2016 Clarkson Cup champions Calgary Inferno out of Harvard University, while winger Sarah Lefort of Ormstown, Que., rounded out the top five after being taken by Les Canadiennes de Montreal. Lefort was a teammate of Tutino’s on the Terriers.

The 2016-17 CWHL season begins Oct. 15.