McManus Set to Return for Third Season

Parental superfans rejoice. #42 is back. 

At 1:00PM on July 20 the Boston Pride announced their third signing for the 2022-23 season in veteran forward Meghara McManus. While we know her parents are absolute Pride superfans (and tipped us off that Putigna goes by “T” when she babysits), let’s break down the signing. 

McManus spent four years at the University of New Hampshire. During that time she led the Wildcats in goals (11) and points (20) during the 2017-18 season, won the 2019-20 Karyn L. Bye Award as team MVP, and took home the 2019-20 Blue Line Club Award for her locker room culture and work in the community. She finished her time at UNH with 84 points. 

Drafted in the 5th round of the 2020 Draft, McManus joined the Pride for the 2021 Bubble in Lake Placid. During this time she’d score 2 goals and add 3 assists for 5 points in 7 games. Once the playoffs moved to Boston, McManus helped the Pride secure the 2021 Isobel Cup. 

Following the Cup run, McManus re-signed with the Pride for the 2021-2022 campaign. Her second season would see her put up 5 goals and 4 assists for 9 points in 17 games. This performance would earn McManus her first All-Star bid and she would play for Team Darkangelo in Buffalo. She’d cap off the season with a second Isobel Cup in Tampa Bay. 

McManus’ return continues to round out the middle six and gives Head Coach Paul Mara room to play with those lines. She’s an elite penalty killer who has never seen a shot she’s not willing to throw any body part in front of, and is an underrated agitator. McManus is also a natural leader and a clear voice for the Pride when she’s on the ice. Coupling her leadership with the high possibility she plays with the signees out of college, McManus will play an important role in the 2022-23 season. 

Seeing a returner to the Pride is always a positive. Familiarity in an Isobel Cup setting is great to have and continues the culture Paul Mara intends to have. McManus is a high-character, high-skill player the team greatly appreciates. 

Let’s keep building for that fourth Cup.