Patty Kazmaier Award

The presentation of the 2025 Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award, which honors the top player in the NCAA Division I women’s ice hockey, will take place Saturday, March 22, on the campus of the University of Minnesota. The ceremony, which is open to the public and is free to attend, will begin promptly at 11:30 a.m. CT and will be televised live on NHL Network. A free autograph signing with women’s hockey legends will be held immediately following the ceremony.

“When you hear about the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award, you think of the best of the best,” Winn said. “You think of players who had exceptional years and lead the path in women’s hockey. To be at a place (and program) where there have been a few Patty Kazmaier Award winners (and legacy) is awesome.”

Winn is the second-highest scoring defender in the nation behind Wisconsin’s Caroline Harvey, who is also a Patty Kaz finalist. Winn set new career bests in goals (14) and assists (31) during her senior season.

This month, Winn surpassed PWHL star Erin Ambrose for second in career points by a defender at Clarkson. Winn had 130 points heading into the ECAC Hockey Championship weekend. The only one ahead of Winn is her defensive partner, Nicole Gosling.

“I’m kind of just not squeezing my stick so tight and obviously enjoying myself,” Winn said. “My confidence comes from my preparation and making sure I’m putting the work in. It’s just maturing and growing through college.”

After being an alternate captain for Clarkson last season, Winn is a co-captain this year alongside Gosling. 

“Being able to be a co-captain and lead the team from the back end has been super cool,” Winn said. “I’m owning my role as a defender, but also just trying to lead by example.”

Matt Desrosiers, head coach at Clarkson, called Winn one of the most dedicated and focused athletes he’s ever coached.

“The work she puts in every day to get better is something that has helped inspire other teammates to also want to put in the extra time to improve,” Desrosiers said. “Her leadership on and off the ice is something that will surely be missed, but I am confident she left enough of a lasting impression on this program and her teammates where someone will continue to lead the way she has.”

Winn represented the United States in the Women’s World Championship in 2023 and 2024, during her sophomore and junior seasons, an experience she said helped develop her leadership abilities at Clarkson. Winn helped the U.S. win gold in 2023 and silver in 2024.

Winn will have the opportunity to do it again, as the U.S. selected her to playat the upcoming 2025 IIHF Women’s World Championship, which will take place in Czechia this April.

“You learn so much when you play with the best women in the world,” shesaid. “It’s businesslike, but they know when to have fun. Every time I go, I learn so much and it has helped me tremendously at Clarkson as a player and a leader.”

Once the season is finished, Winn plans to declare for the PWHL Draft and begin a professional hockey career.

“Obviously, I have dreams and aspirations of continuing on the [national team] and the Olympics are coming up quick,” she said. “I want to continue playing as long as I can. It’s amazing because playing hockey professionally was never a sustainable career, so it’s cool that in this time period amazing women in hockey were trailblazers to get to this spot. To be able to make this a career grows your love for the game.”

Story from Red Line Editorial, Inc.