Olivia Zafuto Bio
Olivia Zafuto (born January 25, 1997) is an American professional ice hockey defenceman who is signed as a reserve for the Boston Fleet of the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL). She has previously played for PWHL New York, the Boston Pride, Linköping HC, and HV71, and has competed in the Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association (PWHPA). Known for her offensive touch from the blue line, Zafuto gained attention during her college career before building a professional resume that spans North America and Sweden.
Early Life and Background
Olivia Zafuto was born on January 25, 1997, in Niagara Falls, New York. Growing up in a border city with deep hockey traditions on both sides of the Niagara River, she was introduced to ice hockey at a young age and quickly developed a passion for the sport. The competitive youth hockey scene in western New York gave her an early platform to sharpen her skating and puck-moving skills.
Zafuto continued to develop through her teenage years, balancing school with travel hockey and showcases. Her left-shot defensive style and composure with the puck began to attract attention from college recruiters as she approached her senior season of junior hockey. By the time she finished her pre-college career, she had committed to play for the Colgate Raiders, an NCAA Division I program.
Path to Professional Hockey
Zafuto played her college hockey at Colgate, where she steadily built one of the most productive careers ever recorded by a Raider defenceman. Her junior and senior seasons, she ranked third-most nationally for points by a defenceman, a testament to her offensive instincts and ability to quarterback the power play. She graduated as Colgate’s all-time leading scorer among defencemen, finishing her career with 104 points.
Following her college career, Zafuto transitioned to the professional ranks in 2019, when she was drafted by the Buffalo Beauts of the National Women’s Hockey League (NWHL). At that time, many NWHL players left to form their own organization through the Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association (PWHPA), and Zafuto played in Buffalo and Minnesota for two seasons. She then moved overseas, suiting up for HV71 in the Swedish Women’s Hockey League (SDHL) for 11 games before signing a contract with Linköping Hockey Club.
Olivia Zafuto Career
Early Career (2021–2022)
Zafuto’s first sustained professional opportunities came through the PWHPA, where she played in Buffalo and Minnesota. These seasons allowed her to compete against high-level competition while advocating for a single, sustainable professional league for women. The experience also helped her refine the two-way game that would become her trademark as a defenceman.
Looking to expand her game internationally, Zafuto signed with HV71 of the SDHL, where she appeared in 11 games and quickly adapted to the European style of play. After her stint in Sweden, she joined Linköping Hockey Club, where she spent roughly a season and a half, contributing on the back end and continuing to develop her offensive production from the blue line.
Premier Hockey Federation Breakthrough (2022–2023)
After her time in Sweden, Zafuto returned to the United States to join the Boston Pride of the newly rebranded Premier Hockey Federation (PHF), the successor to the NWHL. The move reunited her with a competitive North American roster and gave her a consistent role on the Pride’s defence corps. Her play during the 2022–23 season was strong enough to earn an All-Star selection, marking her arrival as one of the league’s top blueliners.
Following one season with the Pride, Zafuto signed a one-year, $63,000 contract with the Metropolitan Riveters. However, before she could settle into that chapter, the PHF was acquired by the Mark Walter Group in 2023, and a new unified league was announced: the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL).
Professional Women’s Hockey League Era (2023–Present)
Zafuto was selected by New York in the twelfth round, sixty-ninth overall, of the inaugural PWHL draft. She signed a one-year contract and played in thirteen games for PWHL New York during the 2023–24 season, recording one assist while providing dependable defensive play in a deep blueline rotation.
For the 2024–25 season, Zafuto signed a reserve player contract with the Boston Fleet, returning to a market she had grown familiar with during her Pride tenure. In addition to her playing duties, she has worked as a hockey coach at Nichols and Thayer Academy, sharing her experience with younger players.
Driving Style and Strengths
Olivia Zafuto plays a modern, puck-moving defensive style. Standing 5 ft 6 in (168 cm) and shooting left, she relies on smart positioning, smooth skating, and an accurate first pass to break out of the defensive zone. Her college scoring record reflects the offensive instincts that complement her reliable defensive zone play, allowing her to contribute on special teams and at even strength.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the highlights of Zafuto’s career are her All-Star selection during the 2022–23 PHF season with the Boston Pride, her selection in the inaugural PWHL draft, and her place in Colgate’s record book as the program’s all-time leading scorer among defencemen with 104 points. She has also represented the growth of women’s hockey by playing in three different professional leagues across two countries.
Olivia Zafuto Career Wins
Olivia Zafuto’s professional résumé includes stops in the PWHPA, the SDHL with HV71 and Linköping HC, the PHF with the Boston Pride, and the PWHL with PWHL New York and the Boston Fleet. While detailed win totals across every league are not fully verified, her career is defined by consistent roles on competitive defences and by an All-Star-caliber 2022–23 campaign with the Pride.
Premier Hockey Federation Highlights
During her single PHF season with the Boston Pride, Zafuto established herself as a top-tier defenceman, earning All-Star recognition for the 2022–23 season. Her performance that year helped position her for opportunities in the newly forming PWHL.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond the PHF, Zafuto gained valuable experience competing in Sweden’s SDHL with HV71 and Linköping HC, where she adapted to a different style of play and contributed on a smaller ice surface. She has also represented the continued growth of women’s professional hockey through her involvement with the PWHPA and her selection in the inaugural PWHL draft.
Olivia Zafuto Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Olivia Zafuto was raised in Niagara Falls, New York, a city with a strong hockey culture. Details about her parents and siblings are not publicly verified, so this section focuses on the community and developmental environment that shaped her early career.
Personal Life
Olivia Zafuto is in a relationship with her former Boston Pride teammate McKenna Brand. The couple share a connection rooted in their time together in the PHF, and Zafuto has spoken about the importance of her support network in helping her navigate a professional hockey career that has spanned multiple leagues and countries.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into the 2025 calendar year, Olivia Zafuto is signed as a reserve player with the Boston Fleet of the PWHL, providing depth and veteran experience on the blue line. Her role with the Fleet gives her the opportunity to step in when injuries or schedule demands open spots in the lineup, while continuing to contribute in practice and within the team’s defensive structure.
Familiar with the Boston market from her earlier stint with the Pride, Zafuto’s transition to the Fleet has been smooth, and her professional approach has been noted by coaching staff. As a left-shot defenceman with a proven track record of moving the puck, she fits the modern identity the PWHL is building for its defenders.
For the remainder of the 2025 season, Zafuto’s outlook centers on earning additional game opportunities with the Fleet while continuing her off-ice coaching work at Nichols and Thayer Academy. Her combination of experience, leadership, and offensive skill from the back end makes her a valuable reserve asset for Boston’s defensive corps.
