A trio of Gophers women's hockey standouts were named finalist for the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award the USA Hockey Foundation announced on Thursday.
Junior forward Hannah Brandt, sophomore forward Dani Cameranesi and senior defenseman Rachel Ramsey are among the 10 finalists. Warroad, Minn., native and North Dakota junior goaltender Shelby Amsley-Benzie is also on the list of candidates considered for women's college hockey's top player award.
Brandt leads the Gophers with 62 points (27 goals, 35 assists). Cameranesi is second in scoring with 55 points (21 goals, 34 assists). Ramsey leads a defensive core that is giving up just 1.20 goals per game and also plays an offensive role with 31 points (eight goals, 23 assists).
The winner will be announced on March 21 at the McNamara Alumni Center as part of the women's Frozen Four hosted by Minnesota at Ridder Arena. The last Gophers women's hockey star to win the award was Amanda Kessel in 2013. The last Minnesota native to win was Krissy Wendell in 2005.
2015 Patty Kazmaier Award Top 10 finalists
Shelby Amsley-Benzie
University of North Dakota
G
Junior (redshirt)
Hannah Brandt
University of Minnesota
F
Junior
Dani Cameranesi
University of Minnesota
F
Sophomore
Alex Carpenter
Boston College
F
Junior
Kendall Coyne
Northeastern University
F
Junior
Brianne Jenner
Cornell University
F
Senior
Emily Pfalzer
Boston College
D
Senior
Marie-Philip Poulin
Boston University
F
Senior
Rachel Ramsey
University of Minnesota
D
Senior
Haley Skarupa
Boston College
F
Junior