The three were stalwart presences in Thompson Arena, playing nearly every game over four seasons. In their final season, Fischer and Nanji were named second team All-Ivy and Fischer lead the Big Green in scoring, with 28 points from 15 goals and 13 assists.
Nanji began playing hockey at age seven in her hometown just north of Toronto, Ontario.
"The hockey players would always be going on after figure skating and I was always so jealous of them," she said. "My parents let me try hockey, and I've been loving it ever since."
Sharp didn't lace up her skates until she was eight years old, admittedly late for most kids in her town. After some incessant begging, her parents finally allowed her to play.
Throughout their hockey careers, the three challenged themselves with the highest levels of competition, including in the ECAC.
Sharp said the time commitment of the Candian league may be a step back from the constant activity of a Big Green athlete.
"I don't think the schedule can get much more rigorous," she said. "When you play in this league, you're expected to be a well-oiled machine and kind of in the groove, so you don't practice quite as much. It's a really high level, but it's kind of like Dartmouth is preparation for it.
Nanji, who played in the league during her last two years of high school, knew she wanted to return.
"I noticed that all the top players were playing in the league, which made it even more appealing," she said.
Because of the league's small size, players submit an application that allows them to select their preferred clubs. Signing day is Aug. 26, and players will have an opportunity to try out and make the regular team's rosters.
Fischer and Sharp hope to play in Alberta and have already been in contact with the coach. Nanji is looking toward the Toronto area, near her hometown.
The young league is still growing and has five teams set for the upcoming season four in Canada and one in Boston.
Fischer is excited about the opportunity for hockey beyond the college game.
"There wasn't always somewhere at such a high level of competition for girls to play after college," she said. "I knew a few Dartmouth alums who played in the CWHL and had really good things to say about it."
Nanji said the excitement of a growing league was one of the factors that drove her to apply for the draft.
"I'd love to be part of a league that is expanding and getting better with lots of young players joining," she said.
The three skaters were confident that Dartmouth had left them well prepared to tackle the challenges of the league.
"The work ethic and commitment that Dartmouth requires for hockey and for class prepares you for any level for commitment after school," Fischer said.
Sharp agreed that the mentality instilled in Dartmouth players could prove to be highly useful in her pro career.
"It prepares you for that lifestyle to balance life entirely around hockey and school," she said. "If you don't manage your time well and you're not happy with hockey, it can affect your school life."
Sharp hopes to play in the CWHL for a year or two before attending law school. After suffering a knee injury during her senior season and missing significant playing time, Sharp hopes the league will help end her hockey career on a more positive note.
"I didn't think the injury was a good way to finish my hockey career," she said.
Taylor Malmsheimer contributed reporting.
