A pair of standouts for the Clarkson University Women's Hockey team, Erin Ambrose and Shannon MacAulay, were selected in the inaugural NWHL Draft, kickstarting the new professional league that is set to begin Oct. 17, 2015.

Ambrose and MacAulay, who will both enter their senior campaign for the Golden Knights this fall, were chosen by the New York Riveters and Boston Pride, respectively in the draft held on June 20.

All players who have completed their junior seasons were eligible for selection in the draft and all those selected during the draft will complete their senior seasons at the collegiate level before entering the professional ranks.

NWHL Draft selection order was determined by a lottery, with the league's four flagship franchises choosing five players each during a five-round, 20-player draft in the following order – New York, Connecticut Whale, Boston and Buffalo Beauts.

Ambrose was the first player chosen by New York in the third round, while MacAulay went to Boston with the third pick in the fifth round.

Per the NWHL, after completing her college career, a drafted player can then sign with the team that selected her. Or, she can opt into free agency and sign with any of the other three teams. A player who is eligible to be selected and is not drafted becomes a free agent after completing her senior year.

The top scoring defenseman in Clarkson's history, Ambrose has tallied 109 career points on 26 goals and 83 points through 102 games. The Keswick, ONT native has earned ECAC Hockey All-Star honors, gained All-America status and has been a Top 10 Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award finalist.

A native of Mt. Herbert, PEI, MacAulay served as Clarkson's captain last year and was an ECAC Hockey Third-Team All-League All-Star as well as a Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award nominee. Through 115 career games she has recorded 38 goals and 35 assists. MacAulay tallied the game-winning goal on a breakaway in the Knights' 5-4 win over Minnesota in the 2014 NCAA National Championship game.