Colgate Hands Out Team Awards

HAMILTON, N.Y. – The Colgate University women’s hockey team held its annual team banquet at the Colgate Hall of Presidents as head coach Scott Wiley presented the team’s annual awards.

Senior forward Katie Stewart (Exeter, Ont.) was honored with the Brad Houston Most Valuable Offensive Player Award. The senior led the team in scoring with 39 points off 25 goals and 14 assists and became the first Colgate forward to earn all-ECAC Hockey first team honors. Stewart’s 39 points tied the Colgate single season record as she finished her career with 99 points, sixth on the all-time scoring list.

Senior Ali Edell (Mountain Lakes, N.J.) was named the Most Valuable Defensive Player of the year. Edell led the blueliners in scoring with three goals and 11 assists for a career-high 14 points. A key member of the Raiders’ special teams, Edell tallied four of her 11 assists on the power play.

Earning the Most Improved Player Award was split between a pair of rookies, forward Jenna Klynstra (Edmonton, Alta.) and defender Jessica Hootz (Edmonton, Alta.). Klynstra played in all 36 contests scoring four goals and chipping in 9 helpers for 13 points. She finished fourth on the team with eight power-play points (3G, 5A). Hootz played in all 36 games for the Raiders defense were she recorded 12 blocks and one goal. Highlighting her season was scoring her first collegiate goal against Boston College.

Rookie of the Year honors was presented to forward Brittany Phillips (Lauder, Man.). Phillips led the rookie class in scoring and finished third on the team with 20 points (11G, 9A). She scored three game-winning goals, three power-play goals and was named the ECAC Rookie of the Week once.

The Don Palmateer Award is presented by the Center Ice Club to the player(s) whose leadership, inspiration and performance on and off the ice during their career has had the greatest impact on Colgate women’s hockey. Edell was a leader both on the ice and in the locker room. The captain helped lead a late season charge that placed the Raiders in the ECAC Playoffs for the eighth-straight season.

Sophomore Heidi Peterson (Hastings, Min.) took home the Sportsmanship Award, while senior Beth Rotenberg (Toronto, Ont.) received the Marian LeFevre Memorial Coach’s Award. The Marian LeFevre Memorial Award is awarded by the coaching staff to the player who expresses interest, attitude and dedication to the Colgate women’s hockey program.