Way too early Laura Hurd Award Speculation Thread [Archive]

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PrezdeJohnson09

12-17-2007, 12:40 AM

Reaching the midway point of the season, I figured it's time to fire up this thread again. Who does everyone feel are establishing their names at the top of the list to win the Laura Hurd Award?, given to the best player in DIII women's hockey as voted on by the AHCA

Traditionally, the award honors a career more than individual seasons as seniors have won the award every year since it was introduced in 2000.

Past winners:

2000- Sylvia Ryan, Middlebury
2001- Michelle Labbe, Middlebury
2002- Sarah Moe, Gustavus Adolphus
2003- Angela Kapus, Middlebury
2004- Molly Wasserman, Williams
2005- Laura Hurd, Elmira
2006- Emily Quizon, Middlebury
2007- Andrea Peterson, Gustavus Adolphus

Here's my take on how this year's race is shaping up...

1.Danielle Blanchard, Forward Jr. (Plattsburgh)- Blanchard has been hands down the top performer in DIII this year. She single-handedly led the Cardinals to the Middlebury Tournament championship scoring all 5 goals they scored in the two games. She leads the nation with 16 goals and 8 assists for 24 points. The only thing she has working against her is she isnt a senior. However, I think this is the year we finally break that tradition of giving it to a senior.

2.AnnMarie Cellino, Forward Jr. (Middlebury)- Cellino has emerged this year at the top of her game and bringing back memories of her great rookie year. She's leading the country in points per game with 2.71. Her 5 goals and 14 assists for 19 points rank 2nd in the country behind only Blanchard. Cellino and Panther newcomer Anna McNally have combined to form the nation's top 1-2 scoring punch at Midd.

3.Isabelle Richard, Forward Sr. (RIT)- Richard has been RIT's go to girl this year with the departure of last year's NCAA leading scorer Danielle Nagymarosi. Richard has flourished in the role despite being keyed on by opposing defenses as she has 7 goals and 7 assists for 14 points. More impressively, she has 3 game winning goals and is tied for the nation's lead in powerplay goals with 5.

4.Kayla Coady, Forward Jr. (Elmira)- Coady has continued to lead the Soaring Eagles' offense for the 2nd staight year. Her 9 goals and 7 assists for 16 points are good enough for 6th in the nation. Coady has a slapshot that could compare to many DIII men's players and can be lethal on the powerplay if given space.

5.Lauren Bradel, Goalie So. (St. Thomas)- Bradel's numbers are absolutely sick. Yes, The Tommies havent played the most challenging schedule so far, but that will change in the 2nd half and she'll have more of a chance to prove herself in the remaining games. I dont care who you are, or who you're playing. A save percentage of .977 in 7 games and a 0.58 GGA is just flat out disgusting.

Superior's Stacey Anderson, Stevens Point's Nicole Grossman and St. Thomas' Ashley Rheinhardt should figure into the mix too.

spike

12-17-2007, 10:46 AM

PrezdeJohnson09

12-17-2007, 11:37 AM

[QUOTE=PrezdeJohnson09;3472864]5.Lauren Bradel, Goalie So. (St. Thomas)- Bradel's numbers are absolutely sick. Yes, The Tommies havent played the most challenging schedule so far, but that will change in the 2nd half and she'll have more of a chance to prove herself in the remaining games. I dont care who you are, or who you're playing. A save percentage of .977 in 7 games and a 0.58 GGA is just flat out disgusting.

Perhaps it is too soon to discuss this topic, but as sick as Bradel's numbers have been, Phillips at UWSP and Iwachiw at Trinity have similar numbers against vastly stronger competition.

I agree, Phillips and Iwachiw have been great and will certainly have a say in things in the end most likely if they keep this up. (Hence the title of the thread...way too early...):)

I just wanted to get some discussion going to keep things going in here and keep the hockey talk up while we have this 2 week break or so in games.

One thing that hurts Phillips though right now is she is splitting time with Hulme. For her to win a big award such as the Hurd award or All-American, she's gonna have to be named the #1 starter sooner or later and keep up the impressive stats.

spike

12-17-2007, 12:56 PM

[QUOTE=spike;3473115]

I agree, Phillips and Iwachiw have been great and will certainly have a say in things in the end most likely if they keep this up. (Hence the title of the thread...way too early...):)

I just wanted to get some discussion going to keep things going in here and keep the hockey talk up while we have this 2 week break or so in games.

One thing that hurts Phillips though right now is she is splitting time with Hulme. For her to win a big award such as the Hurd award or All-American, she's gonna have to be named the #1 starter sooner or later and keep up the impressive stats.

I do agree with the philosophy. I do think it unfortunate if a goaltender has to be the "clear #1" to be considered for these awards. I think that we are seeing a significant rise in the number of solid goaltenders matriculating through DIII, and so far there appear to be an unprecendented number of "duos" out there that are putting up serious stats, including the duos at UWSP, Amherst, and Middlebury.

SHUCrosscheck

02-13-2008, 03:24 PM

Any body care to weigh in on this???

Derek Dunning

02-13-2008, 06:43 PM

Any body care to weigh in on this???

Look for me to touch base on this in my article this week:)

SHUCrosscheck

02-14-2008, 08:33 AM

Look for me to touch base on this in my article this week:)

Thanks for the shameless plug P&G

spwood

02-14-2008, 08:38 AM

After watching Danielle again break Middlebury's back (her goal Tuesday night was a highlight reel special), I say if she doesn't win the award this year, they should state in the award criteria that only seniors can win it. While I haven't seen the western teams, Danielle is clearly the best player in the east I've seen all year (having seen Elmira, Middlebury, Amherst, and RIT among the elite teams so far).

Derek Dunning

03-17-2008, 08:33 PM

http://www.anselm.edu/athletics/Sports+News/Sports+News+Items/2008-03-17-WHOC_031708.htm

Johnson Named National Player of the Year Finalist

Manchester, N.H. (March 17) -- Saint Anselm women's ice hockey junior forward Kelsey Johnson (Byfield, Mass.) has been named as one of three finalists for the 2008 Laura Hurd Memorial Award, given to the National College Player of the Year. The award winner will be announced at the Division III NCAA Final Four Banquet on Thursday, March 20th at SUNY-Plattsburgh.

Johnson was named as the ECAC East Player of the Year after posting 37 points on 22 goals and 15 assists during the season. She had a team-leading 10 power-play goals, two shorthanded scores and four game-winning goals.

"This past season, Kelsey Johnson was our most consistent player throughout the year," said head coach David Flint. "With her speed and skill she is a very dynamic player that is fun to watch. It seemed like whenever we needed a big play she would deliver it. I feel she was a big reason for our success this year. Kelsey has a passion for hockey unmatched and arrives at the rink everyday with a smile on her face just excited to play. Not only is she a great athlete on the ice but is a model citizen off the ice, who her teammates look up to and respect."

Johnson ranked among the national top-10 in power-play goals (2nd), goals per game (5th) and points per game (8th). She also ranked second in the ECAC East in goals per game.

Johnson helped guide the Hawks to a 23-2-1 overall record, a 17-1-1 ECAC East slate and the ECAC Open title for the second straight season. The Hawks also claimed their second straight ECAC East Regular-Season crown and over the last two seasons have gone 35-2-1 in league play.

Anyone know who the other two finalists for the awards are? I looked on the AHCA site and they only listed the finalists for the coaching awards and not individual awards.

Im guessing Plattsburgh's Danielle Blanchard has to be one of them especially since Johnson is a junior and this award tends to be given to a senior rewarding a career.

pucko

03-20-2008, 01:47 PM

I heard the other two were Blanchard from Plattsburgh and Baranzelli from Superior.

gojackets

03-20-2008, 02:43 PM

I heard the other two were Blanchard from Plattsburgh and Baranzelli from Superior.

That would make sense. I don't forsee Baranzelli getting it over Blanchard, if she did it would definitely validate the rewarding a career comment everyone seems to make.

PrezdeJohnson09

03-20-2008, 08:47 PM

I heard the other two were Blanchard from Plattsburgh and Baranzelli from Superior.

That would make sense. Both definitely deserving of consideration.

I'd predict that Blanchard will get it though this year.

Anyone heard anything from the banquet?

All-Americans and Player of the Year award should be either awarded by now or about to be awarded.