Sophie Jaques, Alina Müller, Danielle Serdachny named finalists for 2023 Patty Kazmaier Award

The NCAA has announced that defenseman Sophie Jaques and forwards Alina Müller and Danielle Serdachny have been named finalists for the 2023 Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award.

The trophy is awarded to the top Division I NCAA women’s hockey player, similar to the Hobey Baker for men’s hockey. Many of the game’s past and present players have won the Patty Kamaier, such as Daryl Watts, Ann-Renee Desbiens, Kendall Coyne, Alex Carpenter, Brianna Decker, Jennifer Botterill and more. The University of Minnesota’s Taylor Heise won the award in 2022.

Jaques, a 22-year-old with Ohio State, leads all defenders with 46 points in 38 games. It’s her fifth season with the school, and her second year as a Patty Kazmaier finalist. Prior to starting her five-year NCAA career, Jaques spent three seasons with the PWHL’s Toronto Aeros, where she made her mark as one of the better two-way defenders in the league.

Müller, 24, leads the HEA with 26 goals and 58 points in just 36 games. Known for her ability to step up in big moments, the Northeastern University senior has nine game-winning goals this season. Müller has been a finalist for the award in all five seasons she’s played in the NCAA, recording 252 points in 157 games in that span – good for 17th all-time and first among Europeans. The Swiss-born forward is considered to be one of the best European players internationally,scoring 12 goals and 23 points in 19 Olympic games. Müller took best forward honors at the 2018 tournament in a year that saw her lead in goals (seven) and points (10).

Serdachny, 21, is the youngest of the bunch. The Colgate University star leads the entire NCAA with 70 points in just 39 games. The Edmonton, Alberta native has 176 points in 139 career games, but her fourth season – and first as Colgate’s captain – has elevated her to new heights. Serdachny was a big part of Canada’s U-18 team that won gold at the 2019 tournament, her only time representing Canada internationally.

The award will be announced live on NHL Network at 12:30 PM ET on March 18 as part of the NCAA’s Frozen Four weekend action in Minnesota.