Who Is Pride Rookie Abby Cook?

The Boston Pride’s 2021-2022 roster is full of familiar faces. Even the newcomers are names that fans have seen before with Forwards Kayla Friesen and Katelynn Russ playing against the Pride while with the Connecticut Whale, and Katie Burt played for the Pride a few seasons prior. Only one name is a stranger to the NWHL: rookie defender Abby Cook. 

Some may know Cook from her time at Boston University, or in her first professional season with Sweden’s Djurgårdens IF. But for many, the upcoming year will be the first time they watch her play live. So, who is the Boston Pride’s new defender, Abby Cook? And how will she fit in with the Pride? 

The Basics

During her four years at Boston University, Cook made a name for herself as an offensive defender who set the program record for most points by a defender, going 24-75-99 in 147 games. One of the strongest areas of her game was the power play, which she collected twenty points on in her senior year. She made the Hockey East All-Rookie Team back in 2016-2017 and would follow it up with two appearances on Hockey East’s All-Star Team. Cook also played with Boston Pride’s rookie sensation Sammy Davis during her time with Boston University. 

Following graduation, Cook joined Djurgårdens IF in the SDHL, playing in her first professional league alongside some of the best of the world. While her offense took a step back, scoring one goal and four assists in 36 regular-season games, Cook still played a big role on the fourth-place team and averaged 20 minutes a night, and got experience with teammates like Swedish star defender Josefine Holmgren. 

In-Depth

Cook’s style of play is most known for her powerful shot, transition play, and willingness to challenge skaters in the offensive zone and to go low and in the slot. She averaged 2 shots on goal per game in the SDHL and 4 attempts, with a decent understanding of how to get in high danger areas by cutting inside. Cook does not get flustered when challenged in the offensive zone and is able to get quality shots away even when outnumbered.

In her transition play, Cook favored long stretch passes from one blue line (or behind it) to another, leading to quick entries or a chance for a rush for the forwards on the ice with her. A 91% pass accuracy average (via InStat) makes it easy to see why. However, her ability to challenge skaters when she has the puck makes her effective at stickhandling her way into the offensive zone as well. 

Cook is effective in puck battles, winning 57% of puck battles she engages in and quickly turning them into offensive opportunities. The following sequence in the two gifs below is perhaps the best example of Cook’s game. She wins the puck in the defensive end, quickly exits the zone and stickhandles her way into the opponent’s end, and gets a shot off even with four players on her.

Several areas of Cook’s game do need improvement. She plays a physical style when battling along the boards that led to 26 penalty minutes, tied for the highest on Djurgårdens IF. When having to defend a rush 1v1, she often was not quick enough to make a decision and failed to mitigate the risk of the situation for her goaltender.  But the flaws in her game are not entirely unexpected for a rookie player and can easily be fixed with experience. Djurgårdens IF felt the same and continued to give her top minutes during the course of her rookie season. 

How Does She Fit With The Pride? 

With the departure of Taylor Turnquist, Abby Cook fills a hole in the Pride by giving them another puck-moving defender who can dominate puck battles. The team is known for its crispy passes and quick pace of play, ability to turn defense into offense in a blink of an eye, which is something Cook specializes in. She’ll be particularly helpful in giving the second and third line more opportunities to create rushes up the ice, especially in pairing her stellar stretch passes with someone like Meghara McManus or Friesen’s ability to carry the puck. 

All data is courtesy of InStat Hockey; All GIFs are property of the writer unless otherwise specified.