BLOOMINGTON, Minn. – The month of December included ranked opponents and nonconference play across the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, resulting high point production and a shutout streak.
 
For their efforts players from four different WCHA teams have been named as the league’s December Players of the Month, presented by Sterling Trophy.   
 
WCHA Forward of the Month
Makenna Webster, Jr., Ohio State (St. Louis, Mo.)
Through Ohio State’s six games played in December, Makenna Webster recorded 13 total points by a team-high of eight goals and five assists. While skating to a team-best plus-10 rating on the ice, Webster helped the Buckeyes to a 5-1-0 record, where four of their six games were against opponents ranked in the top-10 in the nation.
 
Recording a point in all six games, Webster posted four multi-point performances as well as two multi-goal games through the stretch. Earning the Buckeyes’ first hat trick of the season, the St. Louis native net a natural hat trick in the team’s 6-0 win over Lindenwood. Adding a power play goal and a total of 32 shots on goal, Webster earns her first WCHA Forward of the Week title of the season and first as a Buckeye.
 
Others Receiving Votes: Taylor Heise (Minnesota), Mannon McMahon (Minnesota Duluth), Britta Curl (Wisconsin).
 
WCHA Defender of the Month
Ashton Bell, Fifth-Year, Minnesota Duluth (Deloraine, Manitoba)
As Minnesota Duluth held four WCHA games in the month of December, Ashton Bell registered five points by two goals and three assists. She led all WCHA blueliners in December with a 1.25 points per game average and was tied among all defenders with a league-best two goals.
 
Helping Minnesota Duluth to a 2-1-1 record, including an overtime win against No. 1 Ohio State, Bell tallied five shots on goal and five blocked shots, while skating to a plus-5 rating on the ice. Her December Defender of the Month title her second of the season, after earning the honor for her play in September.
 
Others Receiving Votes: Sophie Jaques (Ohio State), Caroline Harvey (Wisconsin).
 
WCHA Goaltender of the Month
Skylar Vetter, So., Minnesota (Lakeville, Minn.)
In an undefeated December, Skylar Vetter went 4-0-0 in goal for Minnesota, where she posted a .985 save percentage and 0.25 goals against average through 239:31 of action. Vetter tallied a total of 67 saves on 68 shots faced for just one goal against the entire month.
 
Posting three straight shutouts in December, including two over No. 14 St. Cloud State, she remains on an active shutout streak of 226:09. After earning back-to-back WCHA Goaltender of the Week titles on Dec. 5 and Dec. 12, Vetter adds her second WCHA Goaltender of the Month title of the season, after earning the honor in October.
 
Others Receiving Votes: Emma Soderberg (Minnesota Duluth), Quinn Kuntz (Ohio State), Cami Kronish (Wisconsin).
 
WCHA Rookie of the Month
Kirsten Simms, F, Wisconsin (Plymouth, Mich.)
In five games of action, freshman forward Kirsten Simms tallied seven points by three goals and four assists. She ranked fourth on the Badgers squad in point production, while she posted a four-point weekend at Minnesota State thanks to a goal and three assists. She was one of two Badgers to record a point in each game during the month of December.
 
While skating to a plus-6 rating on the ice and racking up 12 shots on goal, Simms earns the first WCHA Rookie of the Month honor of her career.
 
Others Receiving Votes: Tova Henderson (Minnesota Duluth), Emma Peschel (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.