Beyond the Scoring Numbers ...

[ARM]

I agree that it should not be all about "the stats" and thats a good point about O'Sullivan - and probably brings up a whole bunch of other issues of evaluating players. I agree 100% in the complete player who sees the ice and does alot more than put up the numbers; however, it is unfortunate that most people still look to the "leading scorers" all the time for awards at season end...We often have discussions where we conclude that people who don't score much, particularly defensive-minded D, don't get their fair share of recognition. We probably can't do much to change that in terms of awards, but we can at least give them a "way to go" right in this thread. Tell us about someone who isn't likely to be a Kazmaier finalist or an All-American because they don't put up enough points, but is still an excellent all-around hockey player.

I realize the players like Sara Bauer and Julie Chu are excellent all over the ice, but they get their due elsewhere. This recognition is intended for those who normally go without.

And if nobody posts in this thread, then I'll wonder what happened to all of those people who wanted USCHO to have a "defenseman of the week" award.

[PrincetonFan]

I'll start with Laura Watt of Princeton, who just could be the Tigers' MVP this year. She can play both forward and defense with equal aplomb, and sees the ice like nobody I've seen in a Princeton uniform.

[taz91]

From a defensive defenseman aspect, I would go with Maggie Souba from Minnesota and Andreanne Thibault from Minnesota State. Neither puts up the big point both rarely get beat defensive end.

[Drew]

Being a Harvard fan, I would suggest Jennifer Sifers.....not a ton of points but ALWAYS hustling, getting to the puck, backchecking, forechecking, keeping her team in the game (despite not being on the 1st line), and has definitely scored in very clutch situations.

[hab]

A big part of RPI's somewhat surprising success in the ECACHL this year (preseason polls had them at 10th and 11th) has been some very solid defensive play. I hate to single out one player, but Laura Gersten has been particularily impressive.

[dayglo]

Meredith Batcheller, Dartmouth. Only senior defenseman, leads the D-corps.

[binnyrus]

Well, I'll kick in here. I think there are two players on UMD that deserve more recognition than they get: Marin and Koizumi. Not since Ouellette and Potter have I seen two players that seemingly could cycle forever - controlling the puck for long stretches of time between the two of them.

They both have always played the game at 100% and usually at 110%. They are not the "big time" scorers that others are . . . but they are exemplary leaders and have carried the UMD squad this season. When UMD does score it is often the result of a Marin/Koizumi speed surge - of their relentless effort and will to win.

Had Marin started playing hockey at a younger age, I'm sure she'd be more widely recognized and a much more potent player than she currently is.

[ARM]

Marin and Koizumi ... are not the "big time" scorers that others are . . . I'd say that they are scorers. They were UMD's top two last year, and they are leading again this year. Both figure to go over 150 points in their careers, which puts them in some elite company. They are a couple of the big holes that the 'Dogs will need to fill for them to move upward next year.

For the Gophs, I would say Bobbi Ross, except that I think she might be too much of a scorer as well. Instead, I'll go with Anya Miller. She has gotten some recognition via national team involvement, but I doubt she is that well known outside of the WCHA. She is a very hard worker on both ends of the ice. What I appreciate most about her is that she doesn't try to do anything fancy, but instead attempts the fundamentally sound play.

[DC78-82]

I must interject with some Wildcat nominees. Nicole Hekle was a big scorer her first year, but has become the consummate defensive forward the last three years. She is a ferocious backchecker and forechecker, and completely disrupts the opposition's neutral zone play. She forces turnovers on every inch of the ice and is a stellar penalty killer with an incredible work ethic. She's in her 3rd year in an official leadership position. Her scoring has been eclipsed by the younger players, but there will be a huge void at graduation this year.
Jennifer Hitchcock - She scores, she sets up plays, she takes a lot of heat from the other teams, but despite to her play and her numbers, she gets less recognition than some others. She had 62 points last year - good for I believe 1st in the nation, yet was a second team All American. She is a gritty, strong player who manages to be a little more incognito than others, and for that, I feel she is often overlooked relative to her accomplishments.

[dave1381]

Being a Harvard fan, I would suggest Jennifer Sifers.....not a ton of points but ALWAYS hustling, getting to the puck, backchecking, forechecking, keeping her team in the game (despite not being on the 1st line), and has definitely scored in very clutch situations.
so I see Sifers went ahead and got a hat trick tonight... way to mess up this thread!!! (yeah, it was against Union, I know, I know)

[sheba]

although this is supposed to be about players who dont have big stats, it is unusual for a Defenseman to be the teams leading scorer.
Kristin Gigliotti - D- Providence she may be the leading scorer this year for Providence but for a defenseman - that's impressive.. she has improved dramatically each year in contributing to team leadership.......doesn't have alot of career points from her first 2 years, but really has made a difference her junior and senior years.

[171]

Hekle for UNH. Few outwork her.

[sk8happy]

I must interject with some Wildcat nominees. Nicole Hekle was a big scorer her first year, but has become the consummate defensive forward the last three years. She is a ferocious backchecker and forechecker, and completely disrupts the opposition's neutral zone play. She forces turnovers on every inch of the ice and is a stellar penalty killer with an incredible work ethic. She's in her 3rd year in an official leadership position. Her scoring has been eclipsed by the younger players, but there will be a huge void at graduation this year.
Jennifer Hitchcock - She scores, she sets up plays, she takes a lot of heat from the other teams, but despite to her play and her numbers, she gets less recognition than some others. She had 62 points last year - good for I believe 1st in the nation, yet was a second team All American. She is a gritty, strong player who manages to be a little more incognito than others, and for that, I feel she is often overlooked relative to her accomplishments.

AMEN. Hekle is a terrific two way player as you point out. Great on the penalty kill as well. She seems to be tireless; always working from the beginning of a shift to the end. She will surely be missed. Judging by her ice time, I'd say the coaching staff value her contribution immensely.
Hitchcock is quite simply one of the least talked about producers I've seen.
She simply seems to find a way to get on the scoresheet every night and often it's a big goal. The huge drop off in Wright Ward's production ( 28 goals last year, 3 this year ) coupled with Faber having a modest year in comparison to last, makes Hitchcock's 20 goals thus far all that more impressive.

[MN. Fan]

I'd say that they are scorers. They were UMD's top two last year, and they are leading again this year. Both figure to go over 150 points in their careers, which puts them in some elite company. They are a couple of the big holes that the 'Dogs will need to fill for them to move upward next year.

For the Gophs, I would say Bobbi Ross, except that I think she might be too much of a scorer as well. Instead, I'll go with Anya Miller. She has gotten some recognition via national team involvement, but I doubt she is that well known outside of the WCHA. She is a very hard worker on both ends of the ice. What I appreciate most about her is that she doesn't try to do anything fancy, but instead attempts the fundamentally sound play.


Arm,

I would have to agree with you, and so does Mankato




MSU Homepage

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Mankato Free Press

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Minnesota State University ReporterHome > Womens Sports
Women's Hockey Gameday
Friday - 7:07 p.m., Saturday - 3:07 p.m. All Seasons Arena - Mankato
Issue date: 1/18/07 Section: Womens Sports
MINNESOTA GOLDEN GOPHERS
15-6-1 OVERALL, 12-5-1 WCHA
vs.
MINNESOTA STATE MAVERICKS
11-11-1 OVERALL, 7-10-1 WCHA


DEFENSE:
Anya Miller has 13 assists this season and is one of the best passing defensemen in the conference. Melanie Gagnon also has 13 assists and teams with Miller to form one of the best offensive blue-line duos in the nation. Ida Clark is one of a group of freshmen that has stepped up this season.

I think you have to go out and watch a game to really appreciate a defensive defender.

[MN. Fan]

http://wcha.cstv.com/sports/w-hockey/spec-rel/020107aaa.html

This is nice, and it shows hard work can pay off. Way to go Whit!