Laura Hurd 2007 Speculation

[PrezdeJohnson09]

The D1 folks are already speculating about their player of the year award. And with Just under 2 months left in the season including the playoffs, I think it's time we start seperating who's who and start making some arguements for who is setting themselves up for the award.

The award has traditionally been given to a senior for a great career rather than a great individual year so that factored into my decision and is keeping players like Nagymarosi, Blanchard, and Coady etc from the discussion

Here's my top 5 list of candidates for the award this year-

1.Breanne Doyle (SR)- Plattsburgh, Goaltender
---Doyle has backstopped the Cards for two years now and was a big reason for Platty's continued success last year even after losing all their seniors and Carolyne Roy. Doyle has a 13-0-2 record so far with a nation leading 5 shutouts as well as a .936 save percentage and a 1.32 Save Percentage

2.Erin Kelgey (SR)- Superior, Forward
---Kegley has had a tremendous career for the Yellow Jackets and this year has been no different. She's also produced very well in big games scoring 4 goals and getting an assist in games against Elmira, Stevens Point (2), Gustavus. She has 15 goals and 17 assists for 32 points so far, good for 5th overall in the country right now.

3.Andrea Peterson (SR)- Gustavus Adolphus, Defense
---Peterson has had redefined the definition of offensive defensmen over her career as a Gustie. She has netted an incredible 148 points through her first 3 seasons as defensemen. She came into this season as the odds on favorite to win the award but she has had a bit of down year so far with just 20 points. She has produced extremely well however in her team's big games with 3 goals and 4 assists in 4 big games against Stevens Point (2), Superior, and River Falls.

4.Deana Wiegand (SR)- Utica, Forward
---Wiegland has been overshadowed a bit by Jill Nolan's presence at Utica last year. However, Deana has stormed back this year and has been the name everyone has been talking about instead of Nolan. She's scored 4 points in 6 big games against Plattsburgh (2), Elmira (2), RIT, and Middlebury. Her 16 goals and 19 assists for 35 points rank her 3rd in the nation.

5.Meghan Gillis (SR)- Bowdoin, Forward
---Gillis has been the leader of the Bowdoin offense for all 4 seasons she has worn the Polar bears uniform. She's been consistent and clutch scorer for Bowdoin when they've needed a boost. She's scored 3 goals and 2 assists in 5 big games for Bowdoin against Plattsburgh, Middlebury (2), Manhattanville, and Elmira. This year her overall production is a little down with 11 goals and 12 assists for 23 points.

[polarbear2]

If consistancy is the measure than it is Doyle who will win the Laura Hurd award for 2007. Without slighting anyone else she gets my vote!!!

[gojackets]

My votes for Kegley :P

[egon_getts]

I wonder if they've ever thought about doing a seperate Goalie of the Year award. I know MN highschool hockey has both a Mr. and Ms. Hockey as well as outstanding goalies. I like that idea, because it's so hard to compare a goalie with a forward or defense. I think Peterson is the favorite this year, and though she hasn't had as many points as she has in past years, she is a defenseman, and a good one. Maybe she's been being more defensive this year...her team seems to be bennefitting! Doyle, however, is such a strong candidate as well. She's really backstopped the Cardinals team, and is, I think, the main reason for their success. I think it will definitely be one of these two, I just don't know which!

[gojackets]

Probably a dumb question..but could the controversy around Peterson breaking Mclintocks leg hurt her in this as well?

[warriors]

Going to be gosh darn hard for a goalie to win POTY. They don't put up points so they don't get votes.

[over rated]

Probably a dumb question..but could the controversy around Peterson breaking Mclintocks leg hurt her in this as well?

Didn't hurt Ruggeiro winning the Patty Kaz when she kicked a Dartmouth player in the head. Don't think an unpenalized play will hurt Peterson.

[toots]

Going to be gosh darn hard for a goalie to win POTY. They don't put up points so they don't get votes.

Tell that to Jose Theodore and Dominck Hasek, who between the two have three Hart Trophies in the last ten years. A goalie who means to her team what Doyle does has my vote.

[warriors]

Tell that to Jose Theodore and Dominck Hasek, who between the two have three Hart Trophies in the last ten years. A goalie who means to her team what Doyle does has my vote.

Wow um hm ok. Where do I start? NHL V. D3 Women's Hockey. I think Doyle is the clearcut best player over the past season. Without her who knows where Platty would be. But my simple fact is that no goalie will get it in D3 because of the lack of points. Voters are more apt to vote for a goal scorer then a goal stopper. I would accept this more if you can show me in D3 Men's hockey a POTY that was another goalie. (i am too lazy to look it up)

[PrezdeJohnson09]

I would accept this more if you can show me in D3 Men's hockey a POTY that was another goalie. (i am too lazy to look it up)

Just two years ago.

Adam Hanna of St. John's University (Minnesota)

[egon_getts]

I just don't know if we'll see a goalie POTY. No doubt Doyle is an amazing player, a POTY caliber player. Still though, I'd be surprised if she got it.

[PrezdeJohnson09]

Now that we are to the playoff action I've narrowed the initial Laura Hurd Player of the Year Award watch down to 3 finalists from the original 5.

These are in ranking order....

#1 Andrea Peterson, Gustavus Adolphus: Defensemen (SR)- Peterson has turned things up in the 2nd half the season after a so/so start to her senior season in the Gusties uniform. She has 3 goals and 9 assists in 7 big games against Point (2), River Falls, Superior (2), and St. Thomas (2). Peterson now has totaled 183 points in her career which goes without saying a REMARKABLE accomplishment for a defensemen. Total on the season, Peterson has 10 goals and 25 assists for 35 points. She also has 3 gamewinnin goals and 7 powerplay goals while quarterbacking the Gusties lethal nation leading powerplay clicking at 30%.

#2 Breanne Doyle, Plattsburgh: Goalie (SR)- Bre Doyle has only lost 4 games in her 2.5 years wearing the Cardinal red and white for Plattsburgh. Doyle transfered after using up 1.5 years of eligibility at D1 Niagara. After sitting a year behind Plattsburgh's senior Carolyne Roy, Doyle burst on the scene last year and quickly became one of the best goalies in the country. This year she has backstopped Plattsburgh to a undefeated 23-0-2 record entering the ECAC West playoffs. Doyle is 17-0-2 with a 1.33 GGA and a .932 save percentage. While Plattsburgh has been very similar to teams like Elmira, Utica, and Middlebury in player talent. The difference IMHO has been goaltending. Doyle is the best goaltender in the country and the reason why the Cards are the odds on favorites to take the crown this year.

#3 Deana Wiegand, Utica: Forward: (SR)- Wiegand's 49 points are tied for 2nd in the country trailing only RIT's Danielle Nagymarosi. Wiegand has emerged as Utica's top playmaker this year on a senior laden team with another star like Jill Nolan on it. She has 19 goals and 30 assists which puts her career point total up to 170. Wiegand was hampered by a down sophomore season where she only tallied 25 points. She has 3 goals and 4 assists in the 7 big games she played this year against Plattsburgh (2), Elmira (2), Middlebury, RIT, and Amherst.

At this point i dont think Peterson is going to get denied....Doyle has been amazing but this is has tended to be a "career" award rather than best season award in the past so I've gotta give Peterson the edge since she played 4 years and Doyle really only played 2.

[MN. Fan]

My vote would have to go to Peterson, I think she would have made a great D1 player.

[D3EASTFAN]

All great choices

But i dont think you can count Nagymarosi out just yet
Leads the country in points
Look at RIT last year.. barely on the radar screen
and look at them this year..Top 5 ranking

I do know it usually goes to seniors
could be the year it doesnt

Question
Luara Hurd deserved the POTY ever year she played
Did she win more then once

[PrezdeJohnson09]

My vote would have to go to Peterson, I think she would have made a great D1 player.

There's always a handful of players that you can look at in D3 and say she definitely could have been quite successful in D1. Andrea Peterson, Emily Quizon, Laura Hurd, Liz Gibson, Cherrie Stewart are all names that jump out fast in that discussion.

You're probably correct...but i'm sure many Gusties fans are quite happy she chose GAC instead;) :)

Just like i was fortunate enough to have the pleasure of watching players like Laura Hurd, Jackie O'Neil, Edith Racine etc at Elmira.

[PrezdeJohnson09]

All great choices

But i dont think you can count Nagymarosi out just yet
Leads the country in points
Look at RIT last year.. barely on the radar screen
and look at them this year..Top 5 ranking

I do know it usually goes to seniors
could be the year it doesnt

Question
Luara Hurd deserved the POTY ever year she played
Did she win more then once

Nope.

2002-Sarah Moe, Gustavus Adolphus (Laura Hurd deserved it this year)
2003-Angela Kapus, Middlebury
2004-Molly Wasserman, Williams (Liz Gibson deserved it this year)
2005-Laura Hurd, Elmira

[spwood]

To go undefeated with the schedule Plattsburgh played (2 against Middlebury, Manhattanville, and Utica and 3 against Elmira) and put up the numbers she has, if Bree doesn't win it this year, a goaltender is never going to win it.

In my humble (and of course completely unbiased:D ) opinion, Bree Doyle should win the award this year....

[egon_getts]

Nagymarosi, Weigand, Kegley and Doyle were all denied their conference POTY awards, which seems to leave the award to Peterson, assuming she wins the MIAC poty (Which, after the upsets this year, shouldn't be taken for granted!). Am I correct in my thinking that all the conference POTY winners are the ones considered for National POTY?

[spwood]

Am I correct in my thinking that all the conference POTY winners are the ones considered for National POTY?

I don't think you're right on this one. So does anyone know when this (and the All-American teams) will be announced?

[warriors]

So does anyone know when this (and the All-American teams) will be announced?

At the banquet Thursday night (3/15).