Wisconsin defender Caroline Harvey has been named the winner of the prestigious Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award, recognizing her as the top player in NCAA women’s hockey this season. The announcement came Saturday, capping a stellar collegiate career for the 23-year-old standout. This significant honor follows her recent achievement of winning a gold medal with the U.S. Women’s National Team at the Olympic Games in Milan Cortina.

Harvey’s Olympic performance was particularly impressive, as she led the entire tournament in points among defensemen, tallying two goals and seven assists. Her selection makes her only the third defender in the award’s 29-year history to receive this recognition, joining elite company. She also becomes the seventh player from the University of Wisconsin to earn the award, following in the footsteps of her teammate Casey O’Brien who won it last year.

The award signifies Harvey’s dominance on the ice, as she surpassed two other highly talented finalists: Abbey Murphy of Minnesota and Tessa Janecke of Penn State, both of whom also competed in the Olympics. Harvey has consistently been a force for the Badgers, earning WCHA Player and Defender of the Year titles this season. Her offensive output this year included 18 goals and 45 assists, matching her career best and placing her among the nation’s leaders in assists and points.

Projected as the top pick in the upcoming Professional Women’s Hockey League draft this June, Harvey is widely considered a generational talent. Hailing from Pelham, New Hampshire, she has established herself as one of the most formidable defenders in the history of women’s college hockey. While NCAA records are not fully comprehensive, her 200 career points, including 54 goals and 146 assists, are thought to be the second-highest total for a defender in college history, behind only Angela Ruggiero.

Harvey’s remarkable season and career are not yet over, with Wisconsin set to compete in the Frozen Four final against Ohio State on Sunday. The Patty Kazmaier Award is a testament to her remarkable skill, leadership, and impact on the game, solidifying her status as one of the premier athletes in women’s hockey today.