BLOOMINGTON, Minn. – The weekend included high-scoring offense, hat tricks, shutouts, and overtime victories. To celebrate the league’s wins, the Western Collegiate Hockey Association announces Players of the Week, presented by Sterling Trophy.    
 
WCHA Forward of the Week
Grace Zumwinkle, 5Yr., Minnesota (Excelsior, Minn.)
In a strong offensive weekend for Minnesota, Grace Zumwinkle recorded seven total points by four goals and three assists. Her four goals on the weekend moved her into eighth place in program history with 89 career goals, passing Gigi Marvin to tie Ambria Thomas. Her weekend included a hat trick performance in Friday’s 11-0 victory, while her four goals in a series tied a career-high. In total, Zumwinkle tallied 11 shots on goal and skated to a plus-5 rating on the ice while scoring a power play and game-winning goal.
 
Zumwinkle is now tied for first on the team in goals with five and points with nine through the season’s four games played.
 
Others Receiving Votes: Alexis Paddington (Minnesota State), Jesse Compher (Wisconsin), Jenniina Nylund (St. Cloud State), Emma Maltais (Ohio State).  
 
WCHA Defender of the Week
Sophie Jaques, Grad., Ohio State (Toronto, Ontario)
It was a six-point weekend for Ohio State’s Sophie Jaques, as she tallied four goals and two assists to earn back-to-back WCHA Defender of the Week honors. In addition to her outstanding offense, Jaques led the Buckeye defense that helped Ohio State to its first shutout of the season on Saturday. Ultimately, the Ohio State defense only allowed 24 shots on goal, while Jaques led the squad with a plus-6 rating on the ice while being on the ice for seven of Ohio State’s nine goals on the weekend.
 
The WCHA Defender of the Week title is the second of the season for Jaques, after earning eight weekly honors in the 2021-22 campaign.
 
Others Receiving Votes: Lizi Norton (Minnesota), Taytum Geier (St. Cloud State).  
 
WCHA Goaltender of the Week
Skylar Vetter, So., Minnesota (Lakeville, Minn.)
After earning the start on Friday for Minnesota, Skylar Vetter stopped all 17 shots from Minnesota State for her second career shutout. After her play on Friday, Vetter stepped in goal in the third period on Saturday for the Gophers and stopped both shots faced to close out the weekend sweep. Over a total of 76:29 of action on the weekend, Vetter stopped all 19 shots faced for a 1.000 save percentage and 0.00 goals against average and a 1-0-0 record.
 
The WCHA Goaltender of the Week title is the second for Vetter in her career, and third weekly honor of her career after being named WCHA Rookie of the Week on Jan. 17, 2022 and Goaltender of the Week on Jan. 10, 2022. 
 
Others Receiving Votes: Hannah Hogenson (Bemidji State), Cami Kronish (Wisconsin), Raygan Kirk (Ohio State), Sanni Ahola (St. Cloud State).  
 
WCHA Rookie of the Week
Caroline Harvey, D, Wisconsin (Salem, N.H.)
It was a four-point weekend for Wisconsin’s Caroline Harvey as she recorded two goals and two assists. After tallying her second goal of the year in Wisconsin’s 5-0 win on Friday, Harvey marked the third multi-point game of her early career thanks to a goal and two assists in Saturday’s 3-2 overtime victory.
 
Harvey helped Wisconsin claim the extra point in the league standings with her overtime game-winning goal, the first of her career. Her 11 assists on the season leads the WCHA, while she is tied for the league lead in points with 14. The WCHA Rookie of the Week honor is Harvey’s second of the season.
 
Others Receiving Votes: Josefin Bouveng (Minnesota), Sydney Morrow (Ohio State).  
 
About Sterling Trophy
Sterling Trophy has grown into a leader in the award and recognition industry in the Twin Cities since its founding in 1999. A family business that started in the basement of the home of founders David Steinbring and Patty Steinbring, Sterling Trophy has built a proud tradition of quality service and unique products. For more information, visit sterlingtrophy.net.