Boston College Women’s Hockey has the reigning Patty Kazmaier Award winner from 2018, and they’ve got another finalist for 2019.
BC defender and Team USA Olympic Hero Megan Keller was named one of the ten finalists for the 2019 Patty Kazmaier Award, given annually to the sport’s top player.
An award of The USA Hockey Foundation, the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award is presented annually to the top player in NCAA Division I women’s ice hockey. Other selection criteria include 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.
Keller is a three-time finalist for the Patty Kazmaier Award, and is the only defender to make the list this season. She’s re-written the Hockey East record books this season for blueliners, setting league records for points and goals in a season by a defender. Nationally, she leads all defenders is just about every category (by quite a bit) and sits in the top 10 in scoring among all skaters with an 18-23—41 line as a D.
She’s a generational, program-changing player who is widely regarded as one of the most personable people in the sport, and she’s got a strong chance to advance to at least the final three this season, as well.
This marks the fifth year in a row that the Eagles have had at least one Patty Kazmaier finalist. The Patty Kaz committee will vote for a winner among these ten finalists after the conference quarterfinals round next weekend, with the final three being announced shortly thereafter. The 2019 Patty Kazmaier Award winner will be announced at the 2019 Women’s Frozen Four on March 23rd in Hamden, CT.
Congratulations to Megan Keller, and good luck as she looks to bring home BC’s third Patty Kaz!