The Clarkson University Women’s Hockey team recently announced team awards for the 2019-20 season with six Golden Knights receiving honors after helping to lead the Green and Gold to their ninth consecutive season of 20-or-more wins and eighth straight NCAA Tournament berth. Clarkson posted a 25-6-6 overall record and a third-place 14-4-4 ECAC Hockey mark.
Headlining the list of recipients was Elizabeth Giguere who was named Clarkson’s MVP. Recognized as the top player in the country this past season as the 2020 Patty Kazmaier Award winner, Giguere enjoyed another phenomenal season at right wing and added to her resume as one of the top players all-time in women’s college hockey. The junior from Quebec City, QUE, was the NCAA’s leading goal scorer with 37 tallies in 37 games – seven more goals than any other player in Division I and tied for second in the country in points with 66. Giguere was also named a First-Team All-American for the second consecutive season and ECAC Hockey Player of the year. She has amassed 210 career points on 90 goals and 120 assists through just 118 games and is just four points shy of breaking Clarkson’s all-time points mark of 213, currently held by 2019 Patty Kazmaier Award winner, Loren Gabel ’19.
After an impressive start to her collegiate career as the nation’s leading rookie scorer, Gabrielle David was selected the Golden Knights’ Rookie of the Year. A left wing/center on Clarkson’s top lines, David tallied 38 points on 14 goals and a Division I high 24 assists through 37 games. The Drummondville, QUE was also named USCHO.com Rookie of the Year and voted by conference coaches as ECAC Hockey’s Rookie of the Year.
Marie-Pier Coulombe was honored with the Ron Frazer Award. Named in tribute to Clarkson Women’s Hockey’s first coach, the honor is presented to a player who has proven to elevate her game in key situations and who has made significant contributions to the team’s success. A sophomore goaltender, Coulombe emerged as one of the top goaltenders in the country in her second collegiate season. Named a Finalist for ECAC Hockey Goaltender of the Year and a Second-Team ECAC All-Star, the Carignan, QUE native played in 34 of 37 games, making 32 starts. Coulombe posted the best single-season save percentage (.949) in program history and ranked third in the nation in goals against average (1.23). She tied for sixth best winning percentage in the country (.750) on a 23-6-5 record and tied for fourth in shutouts with seven.
Clarkson Coaches Award, presented to a player who displays unselfish play, hustle, sacrifice, dedication and commitment to the team’ success was awarded to Taylor Turnquist. An assistant captain, the senior from Blaine, MN saw time up front and on the blueline, filling in where needed in the Knights’ injury-depleted lineup. She skated in all 37 games recording three goals, nine assists, 43 blocked shots and posted a +5 plus/minus.
Lauren Bernard was chosen as the recipient for the inaugural Nails and Glue Award, given to a player who always displayed a team first mentality and positive attitude all season long. The freshman defenseman from Madison, OH made a solid impact offensively and defensively playing all 37 games. Bernard was the Knights’ second top scorer from the blueline with 13 points, including 11 assists and posted the third best plus/minus for Clarkson at +23, tops among defensemen.
The Booster Club Unsung Hero Award was presented to Meaghan Hector. The junior assistant captain return to the lineup after taking the 2018-19 season off to recover from an illness. Hector, a defenseman from Georgetown, ONT, skated in 33 games, recording five points and four assists. She posted a +13 plus/minus rating and blocked 27 shots. Hector, who plays a leading role in Clarkson’s community service efforts, was a nominee for ECAC Hockey’s Student-Athlete of the Year award.
