Robert Morris alumna Jaycee Gebhard, the program’s first player to be selected in the first round of the NWHL draft, will instead play the 2020-21 season in Sweden, Pittsburgh Hockey Digest has confirmed.
Gebhard a 22 year-old forward, has signed with Brynäs IF of the Swedish Svenska Damhockeyligan or SDHL, just days after being selected by Toronto with the No. 6 overall selection in the 2020 NWHL Draft. Gebhard’s signing was first reported by West Central Online.
A native of Plenty, Saskatchewan, Gebhard is RMU’s all-time career scoring and assists leader. In her senior season in 2019-20, Gebhard scored 20 goals and recorded 43 assists in 36 games, setting school records for assists and points in a season.
Gebhard will become at least the fourth former Robert Morris player to skate in the SDHL. Goaltender Meeri Räisänen, who played one season at RMU in 2010-11, played for AIK in the 2019-20 season. Forward Aneta Ledlova (RMU 2016-18) played for AIK in 2018-19, forward Mackenzie Johnston (RMU 2013-17) played for SDE HF in 2017-18.
Fellow RMU alumna Natalie Marcuzzi was also selected by Toronto, in the fourth round of the 2020 NWHL draft. Her signing status for the 2020-21 season has not been announced.
