BLOOMINGTON, Minn. – In the first full weekend of Western Collegiate Hockey Association play in 2023, four programs came out with sweeping performances, including Ohio State’s sweep of Wisconsin and Minnesota Duluth’s of Bemidji State.
 
For their standout efforts, Ohio State’s Paetyn Levis, Sophie Jaques, and Amanda Thiele are joined by Minnesota Duluth’s Hailey MacLeod as WCHA Players of the Week, presented by Sterling Trophy.
 
WCHA Forward of the Week
Paetyn Levis, Grad., Ohio State (Rogers, Minn.)
In the top-10 matchup between Ohio State and Wisconsin, Paetyn Levis posted a team-high of four points by three goals and an assist. She tallied the second hat trick of her career in Saturday’s 5-0 win, to record the most goals by any WCHA player this weekend and the first hat trick against Wisconsin since the 2017-18 season.
 
Her three goals on Saturday helped the Buckeyes to their largest margin of victory over Wisconsin in series history, while she tied for the team and league-best plus-6 on the weekend. Her 10 shots on goal and game-winner helped Ohio State extend to a five-game win streak against the Badgers, the longest in program history.
 
This WCHA Forward of the Week title is the second of the season for Levis, after she earned the title back on Oct. 10.
 
Others Receiving Votes: Taylor Heise (Minnesota), Anneke Linser (Minnesota Duluth), Sydney Langseth (Minnesota State).
 
WCHA Defender of the Week
Sophie Jaques, Grad., Ohio State (Toronto, Ontario)
In the series sweep of then-No. 5/8 Wisconsin, Ohio State’s Sophie Jaques registered a goal and two assists for a three-point weekend of off 17 shots on goal. Jaques scored the overtime game-winning goal in Friday’s 2-1 victory, earning her second overtime game-winner in her career. The blueliner has now scored 17 goals on the year, good for second-most in the country, while she stands seventh overall with her 34 total points.
 
Helping the Buckeyes’ penalty kill finish a perfect 6-for-6, Jaques’ efforts led Ohio State to its fourth shutout of Wisconsin in program history while skating to a plus-3 rating on the ice. While holding the Badgers to just 22.5 shots on goal per game when they were averaging 43.05 entering the series, Jaques is named to her sixth WCHA Defender of the Week title of the season.
 
Others Receiving Votes: Nina Jobst-Smith (Minnesota Duluth).  
 
WCHA Goaltender of the Week
Amanda Thiele, Jr., Ohio State (Milford, Mich.)
While defending the crease on Saturday for No. 1 Ohio State, Amanda Thiele earned her third shutout of the season in the 5-0 win over Wisconsin. Making 17 stops on the night, Thiele led the Buckeyes to just its fourth shutout of Wisconsin in program history, when Wisconsin was averaging 4.82 goals per game entering the series.
 
Improving to a 10-1-1 record and the third-best win percentage in the country (.875), Thiele’s Goaltender of the Week honor is her second of the season after being named the same on Oct. 24.
 
Others Receiving Votes: Skylar Vetter (Minnesota), Emma Soderberg (Minnesota Duluth).
 
WCHA Rookie of the Week
Hailey MacLeod, G, Minnesota Duluth (Abbotsford, British Columbia)
As Minnesota Duluth earned a weekend sweep of Bemidji State, Hailey MacLeod made 11 saves on 12 shots faced. The freshman goaltender is now unbeaten in four starts for the Bulldogs after picking up the 8-1 win on Friday behind a .917 save percentage and 1.00 goals against average.
 
MacLeod is now 4-0-1 on the season and boasts a 0.63 goals against average and a .931 save percentage overall on the season for her first WCHA Rookie of the Week title of her career. MacLeod was previously named WCHA Rookie of the Month for her play in November.
 
Others Receiving Votes: Nelli Laitinen (Minnesota).  
 
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.