Cahow, Harbec and Vaillancourt Finalists for 2008 Patty Kazmaier Award

Caitlin Cahow (l), Sabrina Harbec (c) and Sarah Vaillancourt (r) are top-10 finalists for the 2008 Patty Kazmaier Award

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO - The USA Hockey Foundation today announced the top-10 finalists for the 2008 Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award. In its 11th year, the award annually recognizes the top player in NCAA Division I women's ice hockey.

In alphabetical order, the 10 finalists are: Meghan Agosta (Ruthven, Ont.) from Mercyhurst College, Melissa Boal (Pakenham, Ont.) from Wayne State University, Tessa Bonhomme (Sudbury, Ont.) from The Ohio State University, Caitlin Cahow (Branford, Conn.) from Harvard University, Sam Faber (Mt. Sinai, N.Y.) from the University of New Hampshire, Martine Garland (Toronto, Ont.) from the University of New Hampshire, Sabrina Harbec (St. Hubert, Que.) from St. Lawrence University, Kim Martin (Stockholm, Sweden) from the University of Minnesota Duluth, Gigi Marvin (Warroad, Minn.) from the University of Minnesota and Sarah Vaillancourt (Sherbrooke, Que.) from Harvard University.

Five of this year's finalists have also finished among the nation's best in previous seasons. In 2007, Bonhomme, Garland, Harbec and Vaillancourt were in the top 10, while Agosta was among the three finalists. In addition, Harbec was also in the top 10 in 2006.

The top-10 class represents all four women's college conferences in College Hockey America, ECAC Hockey, Hockey East and the Western Collegiate Hockey Association.

The award selection process began at the end of January, when NCAA Division I women's ice hockey coaches were asked to nominate players for the award. Nominated players were then placed on an official ballot, which was sent back to the coaches to vote for the top-10 finalists. The independent accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP tabulated the ballots.

The top three finalists, including the recipient of the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award, are chosen by a 13-member selection committee comprised of NCAA Division I women's ice hockey coaches, representatives of the print and broadcast media and a representative of USA Hockey, the National Governing Body for the sport of ice hockey in the United States.

The three finalists for this year's award will be announced March 12.

NOTES: Melissa Boal is the first Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award finalist ever from Wayne State ... This year's top 10 includes four seniors, four juniors and two sophomores. Six are forwards, three are defensemen and one is a goaltender ... The 2008 Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award will be presented at a dinner ceremony at the Radisson Hotel Duluth-Harborview on March 21, in conjunction with the NCAA Women's Frozen Four, in Duluth, Minn. Tickets to the event may be purchased at PattyKaz.com or by calling 800-566-3288, ext. 184 ($75/individual seats, $700/table of 10) ... Angela Ruggiero, a three-time U.S. Olympian and the 2004 PKMA winner, will serve as master ceremonies for the 2008 Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award ceremony.

ABOUT THE PATTY KAZMAIER MEMORIAL AWARD
An award of The USA Hockey Foundation, the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award recognizes the accomplishments of the most outstanding player in NCAA Division I women's ice hockey each season. Selection criteria includes outstanding individual and team skills, sportsmanship, performance in the clutch, personal character, competitiveness and a love of hockey. Consideration is also given to academic achievement and civic involvement.

ABOUT PATTY KAZMAIER
The Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award is named in honor of the late Patty Kazmaier, who was a four-year varsity letter-winner and All-Ivy League defenseman for Princeton University from 1981-86. An accomplished athlete who helped lead the Tigers to the Ivy League Championship in three consecutive seasons (1981-84), Patty Kazmaier-Sandt died on Feb. 15, 1990, at the age of 28 following a long struggle with a rare blood disease.

2008 Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award Top-10 Finalists