DURHAM, N.H. — The National Women’s Hockey League (NWHL) recognized its top players in the first NWHL Awards Sunday, March 20. The event was hosted at the Frozen Four on the campus of the University of New Hampshire and winners were announced via social media.
The NWHL Awards
Regular Season Champions – Boston Pride
Awarded to the team with the best record during the regular season.
Leading Scorer – Hilary Knight, Boston Pride
Awarded to the player with the most points in the regular season.
NWHL Foundation Award – Denna Laing, Boston Pride
Awarded to the player most actively applying the core values of hockey to her community as well as growing and improving hockey culture.
Nominees for this award were chosen by all players in the NWHLPA and included Denna Laing (BOS), Tatiana Rafter (BUF), Anya Battaglino (CTW) and Jenny Scrivens (NYR). The overall winner was chosen by a fan vote.
NWHL Best Defenseman – Gigi Marvin, Boston Pride
Awarded to the defenseman who most excels at her position, as voted on by the NWHL Writers’ Group.
Nominees for this award were chosen by the NWHL and included Gigi Marvin (BOS), Kacey Bellamy (BOS), Emily Pfalzer (BUF), Megan Bozek (BUF), Kaleigh Fratkin (CTW) and Kiira Dosdall (NYR). The overall winner was selected by the NWHL Writers’ Group.
NWHL Best Goaltender – Brittany Ott, Boston Pride
Awarded to the goaltender who most excels at her position, as voted on by the NWHL Writers’ Group.
Nominees for this award were chosen by the NWHL and included Brittany Ott (BOS), Brianne McLaughlin (BUF), Jaimie Leonoff (CTW), Nicole Stock (CTW), Nana Fujimoto (NYR) and Jenny Scrivens (NYR). The overall winner was selected by the NWHL Writers’ Group.
Perseverance Award – Denna Laing, Boston Pride
Awarded to the player who most exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to her sport, as voted on by the NWHL Writers’ Group.
This award was determined by a write-in vote from the NWHL Writers’ Group.
NWHL MVP – Brianna Decker, Boston Pride
Awarded to the player considered most valuable to her team, as voted by the NWHLPA.
This award was determined by a write-in vote from all players in the NWHLPA. The three runners up were Kelley Steadman (BUF), Emily Pfalzer (BUF) and Hilary Knight (BOS).
ABOUT THE ISOBEL CUP
The Isobel Cup is the championship trophy of the National Women’s Hockey League. It received its name from Lord Frederick Arthur Stanley’s daughter, Isobel, who shared his love of the game and is known to be one of the first female hockey players in Canada. Isobel, along with her brothers, encouraged her father to purchase a silver cup to award to the best amateur hockey team in Canada. The Stanley Cup, as it was later named, became the championship trophy of the National Hockey League (NHL).
ABOUT THE NATIONAL WOMEN’S HOCKEY LEAGUE (NWHL)
The NWHL is the first professional women’s hockey league in North America to pay its players. The inaugural season begins October 11, 2015 and playoffs conclude in March 2016 when the first NWHL championship team raises the Isobel Cup.
