BLOOMINGTON, Minn. – October’s games featured high-point performances against top-ranked teams, along stellar play in goal.
 
For their efforts, Minnesota’s Abbey Murphy and Skylar Vetter, Ohio State’s Sophie Jaques, and Wisconsin’s Caroline Harvey are honored as WCHA Player of the Month for October, presented by Sterling Trophy.
 
WCHA Forward of the Month
Abbey Murphy, So., Minnesota (Evergreen Park, Ill.)
In helping Minnesota become the top-ranked team in the nation, Abbey Murphy recorded a total of 14 points in October’s eight games played. She tallied eight goals in eight games, including three multi-goal performance, including one against then-No. 1 Ohio State. Murphy’s eight goals and six assists tied for the team lead in points and averaged a WCHA leading 1.75 points per game.
 
With five multi-point performances in October’s eight games, Murphy net four power play goals, along with a shorthanded goal, off of 26 shots on goal. Her four power play goals and .308 shooting percentage leads the Gophers and ranks first among WCHA forwards, while she now holds points in seven of the season’s eight games.
 
After skating to a plus-9 rating on the ice, Murphy’s WCHA Forward of the Month title is the first monthly honor of her career and first WCHA award of the 2022-23 season.
 
Others Receiving Votes: Jenn Gardiner (Ohio State), Lacey Eden (Wisconsin), Jenniina Nylund (St. Cloud State).
 
WCHA Defender of the Month
Sophie Jaques, Grad., Ohio State (Toronto, Ontario)
Throughout Ohio State’s nine games played in the month of October, Sophie Jaques led the Buckeyes with 15 points, including a team-high of 10 goals and five power play goals. A three-time WCHA Defender of the Week, Jaques earned a plus-6 rating on the ice and has played a key part in Ohio State’s league-leading .381 power play percentage.
 
Leading the country in goals per game and power play goals, Jaques continues her impressive run by being on the ice for 21 of the Buckeyes’ 39 goals this season. She is also part of the Buckeye blueline that has held opponents to just 19.50 shots per game, while tallying a total of 55 of her own shots on goal in the month of October.
Last season, Sophie Jaques was a four-time WCHA Defender of the Month honoree, while this October award is the first for Jaques in the 2022-23 campaign.
 
Others Receiving Votes: Madeline Wethington (Minnesota), Nicole LaMantia (Wisconsin), Dayle Ross (St. Cloud State).
 
WCHA Goaltender of the Month
Skylar Vetter, So., Minnesota (Lakeville, Minn.)
While racking up 381:22 of action across seven games in October, Minnesota’s Skylar Vetter made 144 saves on 154 shots faced. Her efforts in earning an undefeated 5-0-1 record this month awarded her two WCHA Goaltender of the Week titles in October.
 
In addition to playing in seven of Minnesota’s eight games, Vetter went 1-0-1 against then-No. 1 Ohio State, while posting 70 saves on the weekend. The performance came after she recorded her second career shutout against RV Minnesota State on Oct. 14, and ultimately allowed two goals or fewer in six of seven games.
 
Behind her .935 save percentage and 1.57 goals against average, Vetter’s WCHA Goaltender of the Month honor is the first in her career.
 
Others Receiving Votes: Amanda Thiele (Ohio State), Cami Kronish (Wisconsin).
 
WCHA Rookie of the Month
Caroline Harvey, D, Wisconsin (Salem, N.H.)
With six goals and seven assists, Wisconsin’s Caroline Harvey recorded 13 points in eight games played in the month of October. The point total led all rookie skaters in the league, and were the third-most among all WCHA players. Harvey also topped all WCHA players with her plus-13 rating on the ice, and registered a power play goal and game-winning goal off of a total of 25 shots on net.
 
Scoring an overtime game-winning goal on Oct. 15, Harvey helped the Badgers earn the victory over St. Cloud State, before posting her first career multi-goal game in Wisconsin’s 4-3 win at No. 5 Minnesota Duluth on Oct. 29.
 
Harvey adds to her two WCHA Rookie of the Week titles of the season with back-to-back WCHA Rookie of the Month honors for September and October.
 
Others Receiving Votes: Josefin Bouveng (Minnesota), Sydney Morrow (Ohio State), Regan Bulger (St. Cloud 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.