February 15, 2009

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- A total of 43 players have been nominated for the 2009 Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award, presented annually to the top player in NCAA Division I women's ice hockey. Nominations for the honor, which is presented by the USA Hockey Foundation, were made by NCAA Division I women's ice hockey head coaches.

Among the 43 nominated players are four women who have previously been top-10 finalists, including Sarah Vaillancourt (Sherbrooke, Que.), who won the award last year. A total of 24 schools are represented among this year's nominees, including players from each of the four NCAA Division I leagues in the country.

The NCAA Division I women's ice hockey coaches will next select the top-10 finalists from among the group of 43 with the announcement taking place March 2. Then a 13-member selection committee will select the three finalists (announced March 10), as well as the award recipient.

The 2009 Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award, which takes place in conjunction with the NCAA Women's Frozen Four, will be presented at a brunch ceremony on Sat., March 21, at the Royal Sonesta Hotel Boston at 10 a.m. EST.

Tickets to the 2009 Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award ceremony may be purchased at PattyKaz.com or by calling 719-538-1184. Individual seats are $85, while tables of 10 are available for $800.

NOTES: 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 … To sign up for the Kaz Connection, a free monthly e-newsletter dedicated solely to the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award, please visit pattykaz.com.

2009 Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award Nominees