Silva candidate for Patty Kazmaier Award
Date of Release: Jan. 31, 2001
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (January 29, 2001) -- The USA Hockey Foundation today announced the top 10 candidates for The 2001 Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award, presented by Texaco. Northeastern senior goalie Erika Silva is one of the top 10 and is the only goalie on the list.
The Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award recognizes the accomplishments of the most outstanding player in women's intercollegiate varsity ice hockey each season. This year's award dinner will be held the evening of Saturday, March 24 in Minneapolis at the Radisson Hotel Metrodome. After being held in Boston last year, The Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award returns to the Twin Cities, site of its presentation in 1999, during the first-ever NCAA Women's Ice Hockey National Collegiate Championship tournament.
The announcement was made by USA Hockey Foundation President Walter L. Bush, Jr. (Edina, Minn.) and the executive committee of The Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award which, in addition to Bush, includes: Jim Erickson (Bloomington, Minn.), Bob Fallen (Minneapolis, Minn.), Cammi Granato (Downers Grove, Ill.), Laura Halldorson (Minneapolis, Minn.), Julie Sasner (Durham, N.H.) and Ben Smith (Gloucester, Mass.).
Silva had had an amazing career at Northeastern, and has continued her success throughout her senior season. Through 21 games, Silva had collected three shutouts, three games with at least 40 saves and six with at least 30. She had a career-high 46 saves in a 3-2 win over Princeton Nov. 4. Silva had a 45-save shutout of Ohio State Nov. 26 and a 40-save shutout of undefeated top-ranked Dartmouth Jan. 5.
The 10 candidates represent eight different colleges and universities. Harvard University and the University of Minnesota each boast two candidates. Of the 10 candidates, six are seniors, two are juniors, one is a sophomore and one is a freshman. Two of the candidates, Jennifer Botterill (Winnipeg, Man.) and Maria Rooth (Angelholm, Swe.) were also top-10 candidates last year.
Earlier this year, The USA Hockey Foundation asked women's Division I intercollegiate varsity ice hockey coaches to nominate up to two players from their team for The 2001 Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award. Those players were placed on an official ballot and sent to the coaches who then voted for the top 10 finalists. The official ballots were tabulated by the nationally respected accounting firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
The finalists, as well as the recipient of The 2001 Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award, will be chosen by an 11-member selection committee comprised of women's intercollegiate varsity ice hockey coaches, representatives of the print and broadcast media, and a representative of USA Hockey, the National Governing Body for the sport of hockey in the United States. Candidates for the award must compete for a women's intercollegiate varsity ice hockey team at an NCAA-member institution. Other selection criteria include outstanding individual and team skills, sportsmanship, performance in the clutch, personal character, competitiveness and a love of hockey. Consideration will also be given to academic achievement and civic involvement.
The three finalists for the award will be announced March 12.
Individual dinner tickets are priced at $100.00 for adults and $50.00 for children 12 and under. Tickets, in addition to incremental levels of dinner sponsorship, may be purchased by calling The USA Hockey Foundation at (800) 566-3288, ext. 165; or The Missabe Group at (651) 455-9446. Individual tickets and sponsorship packages are tax-deductible.
The Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award was presented to the inaugural recipient, University of New Hampshire forward Brandy Fisher (Colton, N.Y.), in 1998. Harvard University forward and 1998 Olympian A.J. Mleczko (Nantucket, Mass.) received the honor in 1999, and Brown University goaltender Ali Brewer (Racine, Wis.) was the 2000 recipient.
Now in its fourth year of existence, the award is named in honor of the late Patty Kazmaier, who was a four-year varsity letter-winner and All-Ivy League defenseman for the Princeton University women's ice hockey team from 1981-82 through 1985-86. An accomplished athlete who helped lead the Tigers to the Ivy League Championship in three consecutive seasons (1981-82 through 1983-84), Patty Kazmaier-Sandt died on Feb. 15, 1990 at the age of 28 following a long struggle with a rare blood disease.
The 2001 Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award Top 10 Candidates
Name Yr. Pos. School Hometown Jennifer Botterill Jr. F Harvard Winnipeg, Man. Meghan Hunter Fr. F Wisconsin Oil Springs, Ont. Courtney Kennedy Sr. D Minnesota Woburn, Mass. Andrea Kilbourne Jr. F Princeton Saranac Lake, N.Y. Nadine Muzerall Sr. F Minnesota Mississauga, Ont. Maria Rooth So. F Minnesota-Duluth Angelholm, Swe. Tammy Shewchuk Sr. F Harvard St. Laurent, Que. Erika Silva Sr. G Northeastern Middletown, R.I. Jessica Tabb Sr. F Providence Holland, Mass. Michelle Thornton Sr. F New Hampshire Gloucester, Ont.Jennifer Botterill
Leads the Eastern College Athletic Conference and is tied for sixth in the nation with 37 points (23-14) in only 13 games, good for a 2.85 points-per-game average. Also leads the ECAC in goals (23) and is tied for eighth in the league with 14 assists. Tied for first in the league with four power-play points (2-2).Meghan Hunter
Is the top scoring player in the nation with 57 points (31-26) in 23 games. Also leads the nation in goals (31) and power-play points (9-15-24). Is tied for first in the country with nine power-play goals and is ranked second nationally with 26 assists.Courtney Kennedy
Among the top scoring defensemen in the country and ranks first among all Minnesota defensemen with 20 points (4-16) in 22 games. Is ranked 12th in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association in assists (16), and is tied for 10th in the league with 11 power-play points (0-11).Andrea Kilbourne
Among the top scorers in the nation and tied for fourth overall in the Eastern College Athletic Conference with 35 points (15-20) in 19 games. Ranks fourth in the ECAC in goals (15) and assists (20) and is tied for sixth with nine power play points (1-8).Nadine Muzerall
Is tied for 17th in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association with 23 points (13-10) in 18 games. Tied for 10th in the WCHA with 13 goals and is tied for eighth in the league with five power-play goals. Three of her 13 goals have been game-winners, good for fourth in the WCHA.Maria Rooth
Ranks second in the nation in scoring with 47 points (24-23) in 19 games, good for a 2.47 points-per game average. Also is second in the nation in goals (24), is tied for fourth in the country in assists (23), and ranks third in the nation in power-play points (6-10-16).Tammy Shewchuk
Is among the top 15 in the nation and ranks fifth in the Eastern College Athletic Conference with 32 points (9-23) in 14 games. Among league leaders in goals (9), and is tied for second in the ECAC with 23 assists. Tied for first in the league with four power-play points (2-2).Erika Silva
Among the Eastern College Athletic Conference's top goaltenders. Has posted a 12-7-1 record with a 2.39 goals-against average, a .921 save percentage and a .625 winning percentage. Ranks among the top 10 goaltenders in the league in all three categories.Jessica Tabb
Is tied for third overall in the Eastern College Athletic Conference and eighth in the nation with 36 points (11-25) in 24 games. Leads the ECAC and is ranked third in the nation with 25 assists. Is tied for third in the league with 10 power-play points (3-7).Michelle Thornton
Leads the Eastern College Athletic Conference, and is tied for sixth in the nation with 37 points (14-23) in 25 games. Is tied for sixth in the league in goals (14) and is tied for second in assists (23). Ranks second in the ECAC with 13 power-play points (3-10).For more information, visit www.usahockey.com
