The Metropolitan Riveters acquired Connecticut Whale goalie Maria Sorokina today for future considerations.

Sorokina signed with the Whale in Sept. 2018 but hasn’t seen any ice time with the huge success of starter Meeri Raisanen. While part of the Riveters struggles this season can be attributed to goaltending challenges, Sorokina may be a great addition to the Metropolitan team. She’s expected to battle for a starting position with the three other Riveters goalies, as the team has gone 2-8 thus far in the season.

Prior to signing with the Whale, Sorokina represented her home country of Russia in three World Championships, played four seasons in the ZHL, and put up an impressive .926 save percentage across 34 games with Dynamo St. Petersburg last year.

“Our coaching staff and team are excited to welcome Maria to the Riveters and to New Jersey,” Riveters head coach Randy Velischek said. “She is a proven goaltender with an international pedigree who will make our already deep and highly-skilled goaltending corps even stronger.”

This is the second time in franchise history that the Riveters have traded for a Whale goaltender. The two teams swapped goalies in the NWHL’s inaugural season. This is also the first league trade in almost two years, as they are rare to come by.

“I did not want to miss the opportunity to play in this league. I was patient and put my trust in these people, and as a result, I now have a chance with a great team,” Sorokina said in the league’s press release.

With this coming shortly after the 2018 NWHL draft, it is likely that any of the Riveters draft picks are up for consideration to sign with the Whale to complete this exchange in the future.