Cornell senior Izzy Daniel wins 2024 Patty Kazmaier Award

One of the most dominant players in collegiate hockey has been named the best in women’s college hockey.

On Saturday, the USA Hockey Foundation announced Izzy Daniel from Cornell University has been named the 27th winner of the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award.

The senior is the first player from Cornell to win the Patty Kaz. She is also the first member of the Big Red since Jill Saulnier in 2014 to even be a finalist for the individual accolade.

“I’m so honored and grateful to receive this year’s Patty Kazmaier Award,” Daniel said at the press conference in Durham. “Being recognized by the Kazmaier family and USA Hockey for embodying the spirit and excellence of Patty Kazmaier is truly humbling.

I extend my heartfelt gratitude to my coaches at Cornell, coach [Doug] Derraugh, coach [Tim] Crowley, I wouldn’t be here without your unwavering dedication, tireless efforts and belief in me. Your guidance on and off the ice has been instrumental to my growth as a player and person.”

Daniel’s career went from a supporting character on a strong Big Red team in 2019-20 to one of the most clutch players in the country. The Minneapolis, Minnesota native entered the national tournament third in the NCAA in points per game (1.72)., finishing second in the ECAC to Colgate’s Danielle Serdachny in scoring with 59 points, good for sixth in the country.

The senior’s performance during the season earned her ECAC Forward and Player of the Year honors, and helped Cornell to advance to the national tournament for the first time since 2019. The Big Red fell in the national quarterfinals to Colgate last weekend.

A pair of Wisconsin Badgers were the other two finalists, as Kirsten Simms and Casey O’Brien were the first nominees from the school since Daryl Watts was a finalist in 2021.

Simms and O’Brien have a little more business to attend to, as they are set to face Ohio State, once again, in the national championship game on Sunday. The final is scheduled for 4 p.m. ET, and will be broadcast on ESPNU and ESPN+ in the United States, as well as TSN+ in Canada.