Rensselaer Announces Year-End Awards

TROY, N.Y. - The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) women’s ice hockey team recently held its season-ending banquet, where the team’s 2009-10 award winners were announced. Six honors were handed out by seventh-year head coach John Burke and his staff.

Earning the team's highest award, the Most Valuable Player, was forward Allison Wright. A senior captain from Oakville, Ont., Wright played in all 37 games this season, leading the Engineers in points (27) and assists (15). She was also second in goals (12), recording three on the power play, one shorthanded and three game-winning tallies and led the team in ECAC Hockey scoring, notching eight goals and eight assists for 16 points in 22 games.

Wright played in all 142 games of her career at RPI to become the program’s all-time leader in games played. She tallied 34 goals and 45 assists for 79 points during that time and ranks 14th among the all-time scoring leaders. Wright, who was a 2010 alternate on the East Squad for the Frozen Four Skill Competition, helped RPI to three appearances in the ECAC Hockey Playoffs, including back-to-back trips to the conference semifinals. She was also a multiple Dean’s List honoree and conference All-Academic squad selection.

Additionally, Wright was also named the co-recipient of this year’s Bill Cahill Memorial Award, presented annually to a player who displays high character, ability and dedication. Classmate and fellow captain Laura Gersten was the other honoree. The defenseman from Queensbury, N.Y., finished fourth on the team in points with 22. She tallied eight goals and was second on the team with 14 assists and was an All-ECACH Third Team selection.

Gersten was also this year’s Robert Conway Scholar-Athlete Award recipient. A business and management major, she has a 3.82 cumulative grade point average and has been a Dean’s List student in every semester. The 2009-10 ECAC Hockey Student-Athlete of the Year, Gersten was also a four-time All-Academic selection.

The Engineers’ Most Improved Player was sophomore center Kristen Jakubowski, who played in 35 games this season. The Lake Placid, N.Y., native was a strong presence for the Engineers winning 50.6% of face-offs (45-44) this season. Though she did not tally any points, she had 25 shots and blocked two shots.

Freshman center Taylor Horton was this year’s recipient of the inaugural Rookie of the Year Award. A native of St. Thomas, Ont., Horton played in all 37 games for the Engineers, leading all freshmen in scoring with 18 points on seven goals and 11 assists. She finished the season ranked 34th-nationally in points per game by a rookie (0.49) and 11th among ECAC Hockey freshmen.

Also recognized was senior forward Allysen Weidner, who was the recipient of the Willie Stanton Award, which is presented annually to player who demonstrates leadership, sportsmanship, hard work and a genuine love of the game. The Wichita, Kans., native appeared in 36 games this season, tallying five goals with 13 assists for 18 points. She wrapped-up her career with 30 goals and 35 assists for 65 points in 141 games.

Rensselaer concluded its outstanding season with a 16-15-6 overall record and an 11-7-4 ECAC Hockey mark. The Engineers made their second straight appearance in the league semifinals, falling to eventual National Runner-up, Cornell.