Wisconsin’s Caroline Harvey wins 2026 Patty Kazmaier Award
One of the most talented players in college hockey has been awarded for her efforts.
On Saturday, Wisconsin defender Caroline Harvey was named the recipient of the 2026 Patty Kazmaier Award as the best player in women’s college hockey.
Harvey beat out fellow veterans and future PWHLers in Minnesota forward Abbey Murphy and Penn State forward Tessa Janecke.
Harvey has had a season that will go down in history. The senior has been one of the best two-way defenders in the country once again, leading all NCAA defenders with 63 points in 32 games, matching her point total from her junior campaign. The Salem, N.H. native sits fourth in the nation in scoring, second in assists (45) behind teammate Lacey Eden, and tied for second in points per game (1.97) with fellow Badger Kirsten Simms.
Along with talented teammates in Eden, Laila Edwards and Kirsten Simms, Harvey has been a driving force in helping Wisconsin return to the Frozen Four as the team looks to win a record ninth national championship and become the first true back-to-back NCAA champion in eight years.
Even though Harvey has been one of college hockey’s most talented players for the past few years, she had come up short in winning one of college hockey’s top individual awards. She was a top-three finalist last season, but she and Edwards lost to fellow Badger Casey O’Brien. With that, it marks the first time in six years that players from the same school have won the Patty Kazamaier Award in back-to-back seasons. Clarkson’s Loren Gabel and Elizabeth Giguere earned the award in 2019 and 2020.
With Harvey bringing home the Patty Kaz, she becomes the seventh Badger to win the award, placing Wisconsin ahead of Harvard for the most players to take home the trophy from a single program.
On top of her incredible season in Madison, Harvey was one of the standout performers at the Winter Olympics last month. With Team USA, she finished tied with teammate Megan Keller for the most points (9), with Harvey being named the tournament’s MVP and best defender, as the United States took home the gold medal.
Harvey is the third defender to win the Patty Kaz. Hockey Hall of Famer Angela Ruggiero was the first blueliner to win the award in 2004, while Sophie Jaques earned the honor in 2023.
The AHCA Women’s All-American Teams were also announced on Saturday:
First Team
Tia Chan, G (Gr., Connecticut)
Caroline Harvey, D (Sr., Wisconsin)
Emma Peschel, D (Sr., Ohio State)
Lacey Eden, F (Gr., Wisconsin)
Abbey Murphy, F (Gr., Minnesota)
Tessa Janecke, F (Sr., Penn State)
Second Team
Eve Gascon, G (Jr., Minnesota Duluth)
Molly Boyle, D (Fr., Yale)
Sydney Morrow, D (Sr., Minnesota)
Joy Dunne, F (Jr., Ohio State)
Nelli Laitinen, F (Sr., Minnesota)
Laila Edwards, F (Sr., Wisconsin)