Waldie Named Clarkson MVP

The accomplishments of the 2010-11 Clarkson University Women’s Hockey team were recognized on Friday, April 15 as the Golden Knights held their annual Awards Banquet. Highlighting the ceremony was the naming of senior Melissa Waldie (Newmarket, ONT) as Clarkson’s Most Valuable Player.

Clarkson also paid tribute to the Class of 2011. Waldie along with classmates Lauren Dahm, Caitlin Oleksa, Courtney Olson and Daris Tendler helped Clarkson compile 77 victories from 2007-2011, including two 20+win campaigns (2007-08, 2009-10), four appearances in the ECAC Hockey playoffs, including a pair of championship tournament showings in 2008 and 2010, and the program’s first ever appearance in the NCAA Tournament in 2010.

Guided by third-year co-head coaches Shannon and Matt Desrosiers, assistant coach Matt Kelly and volunteer coach Carlee Eusepi, Clarkson skated to a 14-17-6 overall record in 2010-11 and claimed sixth place in the ECAC Hockey standings with a 10-8-4 league mark. The Golden Knights came within one goal of advancing to their second consecutive appearance in the semifinal round of the conference’s postseason tournament. 

2010-11 Season in Review (pdf)

Waldie established herself as one of the most prolific offensive forces in the Clarkson program’s history and played a leading role in some of the Golden Knights’ most memorable triumphs. The Newmarket, ONT native set the new Clarkson record for most career goals and ranks second all-time in points for the Green and Gold. Through 149 career games, Waldie amassed 67 goals and 121 points from 2007-2011. She posted a +42 career plus/minus rating and holds the Knights’ record for most career power-play tallies with 31, and most career game-winning goals with 21. Through 37 games this past winter, Waldie scored 15 goals and nine assists, and tallied five power-play markers and three game-winners.

Tendler (Verwood, SASK) was honored as the Coaches Award winner. The Coaches Award is selected by the coaching staff and presented to a hockey player who displays unselfish play, hustle, sacrifice, dedication and commitment to the team. Tendler skated in a school record 150 career games and tallied 39 points (12-27). She played in 37 games this past winter and recorded two goals, six assists and a +4 plus/minus rating.

Junior Danielle Boudreau (Whitby, ONT) was the recipient of the Ron Frazer Award. Named in tribute to Clarkson Women’s Hockey’s first coach, the honor is presented to a player who has proven to elevate her game in key situations and who has made significant contributions to the team’s success. A defenseman, Boudreau played in all 37 games and recorded eight points, including seven assists.

Freshman Carly Mercer (Exeter, ONT) was selected Clarkson’s Rookie of the Year. A standout in her first collegiate campaign, Mercer tied for second on the team in scoring with 24 points with eight goals and 16 assists, and posted a +5 plus/minus rating. She was especially effective in the 2011 portion of the schedule, recording six goals and 14 assists over the last 16 games.

Junior Gabrielle Kosziwka (Limehouse, ONT) was the recipient of the Booster Club’s Unsung Hero Award. The award is present to the player(s) who always puts the team first and serves as an excellent role model to her teammates and the community. Kosziwka, who served in a leadership role, skated in all 37 games, recording five goals and seven assists. She has been actively involved in the Knights’ community events through her first three years in Potsdam.