BUFFALO — The wait is nearly over. Kristin Lewicki is set to become a professional hockey player.

The Moundsville native reports to the Buffalo Beauts of the National Women’s Hockey League today. Practice officially commences Friday.

Lewicki is already guaranteed a roster spot. Each team has 15 skaters and two goalies.

The John Marshall High grad skated into the professional ranks thanks to an amazing collegiate career. Lewicki produced a record-breaking and honors-filled tour of duty at Adrian College in Michigan.

The soft-spoken star was a two-time All-American and is the sixth all-time leading scorer in NCAA D-III history. Lewicki enjoyed a sensational senior season with 32 goals and 34 assists in 31 games. Those numbers pushed her career totals to 179 points in 113 games — 90 goals and 89 assists.

The multi-talented forward also earned the ultimate honor. She was named the U.S. College Hockey Division III Women’s Player of the Year for the 2016-17 season.

Lewicki impressed the Beauts at a National Women’s Hockey League tryout in Marlborough, Mass., this past spring. She was one of only 20 players invited to the tryout. She was then invited to the team’s individual camp in June.

“I am pretty excited. I am ready to get started and meet my teammates,” Lewicki said. “I am not overwhelmed, but rather it is all joy and excitement.”

The goal-scoring machine spent this past week training at Adrian College with former teammates, two of whom will be joining her with the Beauts.

“This week was really, really helpful, getting back on the ice. This summer I didn’t skate very much. I stayed in shape by running and biking,” Lewicki said. “It is really nice going to Buffalo with two college teammates. They took us as an entire line.

“I feel good about my prep work. I will be ready,” she added. “It will be a matter of just getting used to the pace of the game. Once we get started practicing we will be fine.”

With a roster spot safely secured, Lewicki has a definite set of goals for her maiden voyage in the pro ranks.

“My main goal is to dress for every game and make the transition from college to the pros,” she said. “I want to show that D-III players can play with those from higher-up levels. I want to prove that we can make it professionally.”

The Beauts will have two exhibition games before opening regular season play on Oct. 28 against the Connecticut Whale.

BUBBA’S BITS

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