WCHA Home To 2005 Patty Kazmaier Finalists
March 14, 2005
MADISON, Wis. - Minnesota juniors Natalie Darwitz (Eagan, Minn.) and Krissy Wendell (Brooklyn Park, Minn.) and Minnesota Duluth senior Caroline Ouellette (Montreal, Quebec) have been named the top three finalists for the 2005 Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award. The award is presented by the USA Hockey Foundation to the top NCAA Division I Women's Ice Hockey player in the country. The announcement marks the first time the top three finalists have hailed from the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA).
A two-time top 10 finalist, Ouellette ranks fourth in the nation in points per game (2.44) and assists per game (1.47) and was one of four players nationwide to reach the 70-point mark this season. Named an All-WCHA First Team selection for the second time in her career, Ouellette ranks second nationally with nine game-winning tallies. The Bulldogs' captain, she leads her team in goals (31), points (78) and assists (47). In the WCHA playoffs, she notched eight points (2-6) to lead her team to a third-place finish. Ouellette was also named the 2004-05 WCHA Scholar-Athlete.
Currently the top scorer in the nation, Darwitz leads both the NCAA and the WCHA in assists (63) and points (102). She also tops the NCAA in points per game (2.76) and assists per game (1.70) and garnered All-WCHA First Team honors for the third time. In the WCHA playoffs, Darwitz contributed nine points with five goals and four assists to lead her team to its second-consecutive playoff crown. She notched her second hat trick of the year in the semifinal game against Ohio State and earned tournament most valuable player honors.
Wendell leads the WCHA in goals with 40. She ranks second in the nation in points (95) and points per game (2.57). After posting career highs in points, goals and assists (55), she earned All-WCHA First Team honors and was named WCHA Player of the Year for the second straight season. In the WCHA playoffs, Wendell contributed eight points on three goals and five assists, including the title-winning power-play goal in overtime to give the Gophers their second-consecutive playoff title.
The winner of the 2005 Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award will be announced at a dinner in Portsmouth, N.H., on Saturday, March 26. The dinner is being held in conjunction with the NCAA Women's Frozen Four, set for March 25 and 27 at the University of New Hampshire.
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