Bourbonnais, Thompson, Zafuto Named Finalists for Best Defenseman
ALBANY, N.Y. – The finalists for the 2018-19 ECAC Hockey women’s Best Defenseman have been announced, and Jaime Bourbonnais (Cornell), Claire Thompson (Princeton), and Olivia Zafuto (Colgate) have been named finalists.
Bourbonnais (Jr. / Mississauga, Ont.) has been the epitome of a 200-foot player for the Big Red this season. She anchors a Cornell defense that allows just 1.6 goals-per-game, while also contributing significantly on the offense end, as her 27 points this season ranks third on the team. Bourbonnais showed up with her A-game in the games that mattered most this season, as 20 of her 27 points have come during ECAC Hockey contests.
Thompson (Jr. / Toronto, Ont.) was a weapon on the offensive end for Princeton all season long, registering 26 points on eight goals and 18 assists. She recorded a point in 17 games this season, including eight multi-point outings. She was also key for the Tigers on the defensive end, blocking 41 shots the season, and helping her team outscore their opponents 102-57.
Zafuto (Sr. / Niagara Falls, N.Y.) led the league in scoring for defenders, recording 27 points on the year (7G, 20A). She was particularly lethal on special teams, burying six power-play goals on the year, which also paced ECAC Hockey defenders. The senior was also a leader on the defensive end, blocking 63 shots on the year which ranked second on the team.
The winner of the 2018-19 Best Defenseman award will be announced at the Women’s Championship banquet on Friday, March 8.
