Wisconsin's Caroline Harvey wins Kazmaier Award as top player - ESPN

Wisconsin defender Caroline Harvey cemented her reputation as one of the top players in college women's hockey in being voted this season's Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award winner Saturday.

The award caps a decorated college career for the 23-year-old and comes a month after Harvey won a gold medal representing the United States at the Milan Cortina Games. Harvey finished tied with fellow U.S. defender Megan Keller for the Olympic tournament lead with nine points (two goals, seven assists).

Harvey is the third defender in 29 years to win the award, joining Ohio State's Sophie Jaques (2023) and Harvard's Angela Ruggiero (2004). She became the seventh Badgers player to win the award and followed teammate Casey O'Brien earning the honor last year.

She beat out two other finalists for the honor in Minnesota's Abbey Murphy and Penn State's Tessa Janecke, who both also represented the U.S. in Italy.

Harvey has already been projected to be the No. 1 player selected in the Professional Women's Hockey League draft in June out of what is considered to be an exceptionally deep pool of prospects.

From Pelham, New Hampshire, Harvey has been among the most dominating defenders in women's college history. Though NCAA women's hockey records are incomplete, Harvey's 200 career points (54 goals, 146 assists) is considered to be second among college defenders, behind Ruggiero.

And her career is not done, with Wisconsin facing Ohio State in the Frozen Four final Sunday.

This season, Harvey was named WCHA player and defender of the year. With 18 goals and 45 assists for 63 points, matching her career-best production from last season, Harvey ranks second in the nation in assists and fourth in points.