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.

The Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award was established in her name in 1998, and has been awarded to the top player in NCAA Division I Women’s Hockey every year since. Wunder also recognizes the significance of the Hobey Baker Award, given to the top men’s college hockey player, as Hobey Baker also played at Princeton.

“She’s definitely a big part of the legacy of Princeton women’s hockey,” Wunder said. “That’s what makes going to Princeton so special, Patty and Hobey Baker played here, and their jerseys hang in the rafters. It definitely hits close to home, and it’s cool to be able to think that after all these years, we’re trying our best to follow in their footsteps and achieve greatness on the ice.”

Wunder came into the 2024-25 season looking to increase her scoring production.

During her first two NCAA seasons, Wunder combined for 17 goals and 53 points in 63 games. But during her breakthrough junior campaign, Wunder istied for fourth in the country with 26 goals and is inside the top 10 nationally with 50 points.

“I don’t judge my own performance based on stats, but I was just struggling to put the puck into the net,” Wunder said. “All forwards love scoring goals, it’s always been a big part of my game, and the fact that I was able to show that I could produce at a pretty high level in college helped my confidence.”

Wunder, the Ivy League Player of the Year, hit 100 career points last month with two goals and an assist on the final weekend of the regular season.

“It was a nice moment and, to be honest, it wasn’t on my radar until I was told about it the day before,” Wunder said of the 100-goal milestone. “Everyone is going to be happy when you hit a number like that.”

Last season, and during parts of her freshman year, Wunder played on a line with Sarah Fillier, a three-time top-10 finalist for the Patty Kazmaier Award.

Wunder credited her time playing alongside Fillier as helping lead to her big junior season.

“That was a really important learning experience, just knowing what it takes to succeed at a high level, how to act and carry yourself on and off the ice,” Wunder said. “Everyone is a product of their surroundings and their environment, and I’m very fortunate that I had linemates I gelled with immediately.”

Wunder also credited her success to a closer relationship with Cara Morey, head coach at Princeton. 

“From the first day I started with the team, she’s always been very hard on me, but not in a bad way, because she’s always seen my potential,” Wunder said. “It’s a balance between tough love and being on me about conditioning or defensive habits and things like that. She doesn’t let me get away with anything, and that fuels me to be a complete player.

“The dynamic we’ve developed over the last three years has been a leading factor in how comfortable I’ve felt on the ice knowing that I have her trust when she puts me out there.”

Morey was pleased with Wunder’s point production, highlighting a balance of goals and assists, which showcases her versatility as a playmaker and dynamic scorer.

“Issy is an exceptional player, an elite competitor and a remarkable leader and teammate,” Morey said. “She sees the game on a level few can match,and her high hockey IQ enables her to make plays that consistently frustrate opponents. We’re absolutely thrilled that USA Hockey and the NCAA hockey community are recognizing the profound impact Issy has had on our game this season. We couldn’t be prouder of her.”

Princeton’s season ended in the quarterfinals of the ECAC playoffs against Colgate. Wunder hopes to build on her breakthrough junior year and lead Princeton to the NCAA playoffs and beyond as a senior next season. 

“During my time here, I feel like we’ve been improving,” Wunder said. “We have some key players returning and as I grow up, I realize time is ticking and it makes me want to give everything I have in my final season.”

Story from Red Line Editorial, Inc.