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Ten Finalists Named for 2023 Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award
Seven forwards, two goaltenders and one defender amongst finalists
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The 10 finalists for the 2023 Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award were unveiled today, the USA Hockey Foundation announced. The honor, which was first presented in 1998, is given annually to the top player in NCAA Division I women’s ice hockey.
The finalists (in alphabetical order) are as follows:
| NAME | POSITION | YEAR | SCHOOL | HOMETOWN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pia Dukaric | Goaltender | Sophomore | Yale University | Ljubljana, Slovenia |
| Jennifer Gardiner | Forward | Senior | Ohio State University | Surrey, British Columbia |
| Taylor Heise | Forward | Fifth Year | University of Minnesota | Lake City, Minn. |
| Sophie Jaques | Defender | Graduate | Ohio State University | Toronto, Ontario |
| Alina Mueller | Forward | Graduate | Northeastern University | Winterthur, Switzerland |
| Maureen Murphy | Forward | Graduate | Northeastern University | Buffalo, N.Y. |
| Gwyneth Philips | Goaltender | Senior | Northeastern University | Athens, Ohio |
| Danielle Serdachny | Forward | Senior | Colgate University | Edmonton, Alberta |
| Kiara Zanon | Forward | Junior | Penn State University | Fairport, N.Y. |
| Grace Zumwinkle | Forward | Fifth Year | University of Minnesota | Excelsior, Minn. |
SELECTION PROCESS
The selection process commenced in early February when NCAA Division I women's ice hockey coaches were asked to nominate players for the award. Players who were nominated by multiple coaches were then placed on an official ballot, which was returned to the coaches to vote for the ten finalists. The three finalists, including the recipient of the 2023 Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award, will be chosen by a 13-person selection committee made up of NCAA Division I women's ice hockey coaches, representatives of print and broadcast media, and an at-large member and representative of USA Hockey, the national governing body for the sport of ice hockey in the United States. The top-three finalists are expected to be announced on Wednesday, March 8.
SATURDAY AT THE NCAA WOMEN’S FROZEN FOUR
The 2023 Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award Show will be broadcast live from the AMSOIL Arena Ticket Lobby on Saturday, March 18, in Duluth, Minnesota, as part of Saturday at the NCAA Women’s Frozen Four. Fans are encouraged to attend with doors opening at 11 a.m. CT and the live 30-minute television show beginning promptly at 11:30 a.m. CT. The three finalists will be on hand, in addition to Frozen Four team participants, as the 26th winner of the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award will be revealed. NHL Network’s Siera Santos will host the show and Serena Veazey, daughter of the late Patty Kazmaier, is expected to be in attendance as well. The event is free of charge and light refreshments will be available. Following the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award Show, fans will have a chance to get autographs from Olympic gold medalists Hilary Knight, Maddie Rooney and AJ Mleczko. For more information, click HERE.
NOTES: Among the top-10 finalists are seven forwards, two goaltenders and one defender… Northeastern University leads the way with three top-10 finalists, while the University of Minnesota and Ohio State University have two and Colgate University, Penn State University and Yale University have one.
ABOUT THE PATTY KAZMAIER MEMORIAL AWARD
An award of The USA Hockey Foundation, the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award is annually presented to the top player in NCAA Division I women's ice hockey. Selection criteria includes outstanding individual and team skills, sportsmanship, performance in the clutch, personal character, competitiveness and a love of hockey. Consideration is also given to academic achievement and civic involvement. For a full list of previous honorees, click HERE.
ABOUT PATTY KAZMAIER
The Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award is named in honor of the late Patty Kazmaier, who was a four-year varsity letter-winner and All-Ivy League defenseman at Princeton University from 1981-86. An accomplished athlete who helped lead the Tigers to the Ivy League Championship in three consecutive seasons (1981-84), Patty Kazmaier-Sandt died Feb. 15, 1990, at the age of 28 following a long struggle with a rare blood disease.
Top 10 Finalists
Stats updated as of March 5, 2023
PIA DUKARIC
Goaltender - Sophomore - Yale University
Holds an overall record of 28-3-1 and a conference record of 21-3-1 … Ranks second in the NCAA in win percentage with 28 wins in 32 games played (.891) … Ranks second in the NCAA and leads the ECAC in GAA (1.36) … Ranks fourth in the NCAA in shutouts with eight … Ranks fifth in the NCAA and leads the ECAC in SV% (.936) … Named HCA Women’s Goaltender of the Year Finalist … Named HCA Women's Goaltender of the Month once (Nov.) … Named ECAC Goaltender of the Year … First Team All-ECAC … Named ECAC Goaltender of the Month once (Nov.) … Named ECAC Goaltender of the Week on six occasions (Nov. 8, Nov. 22, Nov. 29, Dec. 8, Dec. 13, Jan. 31) … Volunteers as a goaltender coach in Slovenia … Volunteers at a Slovenian goaltender camp … Volunteer counselor at College Hockey Showcases in Sweden … Mentors Europeans to play hockey while pursuing academic excellence in the United States.
JENNIFER GARDINER
Forward - Senior - Ohio State University
Ranks sixth in the NCAA with 54 points (21G, 33A) in 38 games … Tied for sixth in the NCAA in assists … Tied for eighth in the NCAA in goals … Ranks eleventh in the NCAA in points per game with 1.42 … Named First Team All-WCHA … Named WCHA Forward of the Week once (Oct. 24) … Named a WCHA Scholar Athlete … Named to the WCHA All-Academic Team … Volunteers with the 2nd & 7 Foundation reading to second graders … Volunteers with the Columbus Blue Jackets’ Hockey For Her program, coaching of women of all ages.
TAYLOR HEISE
Forward - Fifth Year - University of Minnesota
Ranks second in the NCAA and leads the WCHA with 65 points (29G, 36A) in 37 games … Leads the NCAA in goals … Ranks second in the NCAA and leads the WCHA in points per game with 1.76 … Tied for second in the NCAA in short-handed goals with four … Tied for third in the NCAA in assists … Tied for third in the NCAA in power-play goals with seven … Tied for fourth in the NCAA in game winning goals with five … Named HCA Women's Player of the Month once (Dec.) … Named WCHA Forward of the Year … Named WCHA Preseason Player of the Year … Named First Team All-WCHA … Named WCHA Player of the Month once (Dec.) … Named WCHA Forward of the Month once (Feb.) … Named WCHA Forward of the Week on four occasions (Oct. 31, Nov. 7, Dec. 12, Jan. 23) … Named to the WCHA All-Academic Team … Serves as team captain … Named to Team USA’s 2022-23 Rivalry Series roster … Volunteered to deliver stuffed animals from the Teddy Bear Toss to the Masonic Children's Hospital … Volunteer reader at Bluff View Elementary … Volunteers with PNC Bank to bring children at Nellie Stone Johnson Elementary school supplies … Volunteer reader at Nellie Stone Johnson Elementary … Organized a home town skate at a local rink with a meet and greet for local youth.
SOPHIE JAQUES
Defender - Graduate - Ohio State University
Tied for 13th in the NCAA and leads defenders with 46 points (22G, 24A) in 38 games … Tied for second in the NCAA and leads defenders in power-play goals with eight … Tied for seventh in the NCAA and leads defenders in goals … Tied for 14th in the NCAA and third amongst defenders in assists … Named WCHA Player of the Year ... Named WCHA Defender of the Year … Named First Team All-WCHA … Named WCHA Defender of the Month on three occasions (Oct., Nov., Feb.) … Named WCHA Defender of the Week on six occasions (Oct. 10, Oct. 17, Oct 31., Nov. 21, Nov. 28, Jan. 16) … Named a WCHA Scholar Athlete … Named to the WCHA All-Academic Team … Volunteers with the 2nd & 7 Foundation reading to second graders … Serves as vice president of SHEROs, an organization providing a safe space for female student-athletes to promote diversity in sports.
ALINA MUELLER
Forward - Graduate - Northeastern University
Ranks fourth in the NCAA and leads the HEA with 58 points (26G, 32A) in 36 games … Tied for first in the NCAA in game winning goals with nine … Ranks third in the NCAA and leads the HEA in goals … Ranks fifth in the NCAA in points per game with 1.61 … Tied for seventh in the NCAA in assists … Named HEA Player of the Year … Named to HEA Women’s All-Hockey East First Team … Named HEA Player of the Month once (Feb.) … Named HEA Player of the Week on three occasions (Nov. 14, Dec. 5, Jan. 30) … Serves as team captain … Volunteers at Northeastern’s movement neuroscience lab … Volunteers as a youth hockey coach.
MAUREEN MURPHY
Forward - Graduate - Northeastern University
Tied for seventh in the NCAA with 53 points (19G, 34A) in 31 games … Ranks third in the NCAA in points per game with 1.71 … Tied for fourth in the NCAA in game winning goals with five … Ranks fifth in the NCAA and leads the HEA in assists … Tied for tenth in the NCAA in goals … Women’s All-Hockey East Second Team … Named HEA Player of the Week on two occasions (Nov. 7, Nov. 28) … Named MVP of The Beanpot … Serves as team captain … Named to Team USA’s 2022-23 Rivalry Series roster … Event organizer for Vs. Cancer, a pediatric brain tumor foundation … Weekly volunteer with Rescuing Leftover Cuisine, which redistributes excess food to people experiencing food insecurity … Volunteers as a youth hockey coach.
GWYNETH PHILIPS
Goaltender - Senior - Northeastern University
Holds an overall record of 33-2-1 and a conference record of 29-2-1 … Leads the NCAA in win percentage with 33 wins in 36 games played (.931), SV% (.960) and GAA (0.81) … Ranks second in the NCAA and leads the HEA in shutouts with 10 … Named HCA Women’s Goaltender of the Year Finalist … Named to HEA Women’s All-Hockey East First Team … Named HCA Women's Goaltender of the Month on two occasions (Oct., Jan.) … Named HEA Goaltender of the Month on three occasions (Oct., Nov., Jan.) … Named HEA Player of the Week once (Jan. 16) … Named HEA Goaltender of the Week on two occasions (Nov. 14, Nov. 28) … Named The Beanpot’s top goaltender … Raised money for Multiple Sclerosis research … Donates to dog shelters.
DANIELLE SERDACHNY
Forward - Senior - Colgate University
Leads the NCAA with 70 points (25G, 45A) in 39 games … Leads the NCAA in assists and points per game with 1.79 … Tied for third in the NCAA in game winning goals with six … Tied for fourth in the NCAA and leads the ECAC in goals … Named HCA Women's Player of the Month once (Oct.) … Named ECAC Player of the Year … Named ECAC Forward of the Year … First Team All-ECAC ... Named ECAC Forward of the Month once (Oct.) … Named ECAC Forward of the Week on two occasions (Jan. 10, Feb. 14) … Winner of the ECAC 2023 Wayne Dean Sportsmanship Award … Serves as team captain … Named to Team Canada’s 2022-23 Rivalry Series roster ... Co-founder of Rising Raiders, a youth mentorship program for N.Y.-based girls hockey players … Helped organize an inclusive learn to skate program for individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities … Volunteers as a recess buddy at local elementary school … Volunteers as a kindergarten class reading partner at local elementary school … Helped organize one-on-one free youth skating lessons … Participated in the Skate with the Raiders community event … Participated in community leaf raking … Participated in complimentary holiday gift-wrapping.
KIARA ZANON
Forward - Junior - Penn State University
Tied for 11th in the NCAA and leads the CHA with 48 points (25G, 23A) in 37 games … Leads the NCAA in short-handed goals with five … Tied for fourth in the NCAA and leads the CHA in goals … Ranks 14th in the NCAA in points per game with 1.30 … Tied for 15th in the NCAA in assists … Named CHA Player of the Year … Named CHA Scoring Champion … Named All-CHA First Team … Named CHA Forward of the Month on two occasions (Sept./Oct., Dec.) … Named CHA Forward of the Week on four occasions (Nov. 15, Jan. 3, Jan. 16, Feb. 6) … Serves as team captain … Reads to kindergarten students at Young Scholars Charter School … Volunteered at Pink Zone opening ceremony for breast cancer awareness … Volunteered as a buddy at Night to Shine, a prom night experience for people with disabilities … Helped run and coach young girls’ hockey clinics and camps in Rochester.
GRACE ZUMWINKLE
Forward - Fifth Year - University of Minnesota
Ranks third in the NCAA with 60 points (25G, 35A) in 37 games … Tied for first in the NCAA in game winning goals with nine … Ranks fourth in the NCAA in points per game with 1.62 … Tied for fourth in the NCAA in goals and assists … Named HCA Women's Co-Player of the Month once (Jan.) … Named First Team All-WCHA … Named WCHA Forward of the Month once (Jan.) … Named WCHA Forward of the Week on two occasions (Oct. 17, Jan. 9) … Named a WCHA Scholar Athlete … Named to the WCHA All-Academic Team … Serves as team captain … Named to Team USA’s 2022-23 Rivalry Series roster … Frequent volunteer at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital … Volunteers with Loaves & Fishes … Volunteers with Special Olympics MN … Volunteers with Feed My Starving Children.
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