This winter will mark the 25th season of women's hockey competiton in the always rugged Western Collegiate Hockey Association.  As a part of this celebration, Bill Brophy is writing a series of stories outlining the history and impact of the WCHA.  He has also compiled the following list of yearly accomplishments and notes for the WCHA.

Brophy is the former sports editor of the Wisconsin State journal who has covered the men’s and women’s WCHA since 1975. He has done radio and television for Wisconsin’s men’s hockey since 1990 through last season and has worked for the women’s WCHA as a public relations consultant since 2006.

Here is a look at a recap of the WCHA’s first five seasons (1999-2004).
 

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1999-00
AWCHA champion – Minnesota, coached by Laura Halldorson, beat Brown 4-2
WCHA regular season champion -- Minnesota Duluth
National Tournament Qualifiers: Minnesota Duluth. Minnesota 
WCHA Player of the Year: Jenny Schmidgall-Potter, F, UMD.
WCHA co-Student Athletes of the Year: Katie Beauduy, G, MSU; Shannon Kennedy, F, UM.
WCHA Defensive Player of the Year: Winny Brodt, D, UM.
WCHA Rookie of the Year: Maria Rooth, F, UMD.
WCHA Coach of the Year: Shannon Miller, UMD.
WCHA Scoring Champion: Jenny Schmidgall-Potter, F, UMD (23gp, 36-46=82).
WCHA Goaltending Champion: Amana Tapp, G, UM (15-0-0, 1.38, .922).
All-WCHA First Team: F - Jenny Schmidgall-Potter, UMD; F - Nadine Muzerall, UM; F - Maria Rooth, UMD; D - Winny Brodt, UM; D - Sis Paulsen, UW; G - Jackie MacMillan, UW.
All-WCHA Second Team: F - Hanne Sikio, UMD; F - Laura Slominski, UM; F - Ambria Thomas, UM; D - Courtney Kennedy, UM; D - Kerry Weiland, UW; G - Crystal Nicholas, UM
All-American First Team: Jenny Schmidgall-Potter, F, UMD.
Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award Top-3 Finalist: Jenny Schmidgall-Potter, F, UMD. Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award Top-10 Finalists: Winny Brodt, D, UM; Maria Rooth, F, UMD; Jenny Schmidgall-Potter, F, UMD
WCHA playoff champion – Minnesota Duluth coached by Shannon Miller                                          
                                2000 WCHA Playoff Championship Bloomington Ice Gardens • Bloomington, Minn.
March 2 Minnesota State 0, Minnesota 10 (652) Bemidji State 2, Wisconsin 9 (684) Ohio State 3, St. Cloud State 2 (726)
March 3 Wisconsin 0, Minnesota 5 (746) Ohio State 1, Minnesota Duluth 7 (1,076)
March 4 Third Place – Wisconsin 2, Ohio State 4 (697)
Championship – Minnesota 0, Minnesota Duluth 2 (1,826)
Attendance: 6,407. Champion: Minnesota Duluth
All-tourney team: F - Tracy Engstrom, Minnesota F - Lindsey Ogren, Ohio State F - Jenny Schmidgall-Potter, Minnesota Duluth D - Winny Brodt, Minnesota D - Brittny Ralph, Minnesota Duluth G - Erica Killewald, Minnesota MOP: Tuula Puputti, G, Minnesota Duluth
   

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NCAA champion – Minnesota Duluth, coached by Shannon Miller, beat St. Lawrence 4-2
Regular season champion – Minnesota coached by Laura Halldorson
National Tournament Qualifier: Minnesota Duluth.
WCHA Player of the Year: Courtney Kennedy, D, UM.
WCHA Student-Athlete of the Year: Bre Dedrickson, G, BSU.
WCHA Defensive Player of the Year: Courtney Kennedy, D, UM.
WCHA Rookie of the Year: Meghan Hunter, F, UW.
WCHA co-Coaches of the Year: Laura Halldorson, UM; Kerry Wethington, SCSU.
WCHA Scoring Champion: Meghan Hunter, F, UW (24gp, 31-26=57).
WCHA Goaltending Champion: Erica Killewald, UM (14-3-2, 1.93, .917).
All-WCHA First Team: F - Meghan Hunter, UW; F - Maria Rooth, UMD; F - Hanne Sikio, UMD; D - Courtney Kennedy, UM; D - Kerry Weiland, UW; G - Erica Killewald, UM.
All-WCHA Second Team: F - La Toya Clarke, UM; F - Ricki-Lee Doyle, SCSU; F - Ambria Thomas, UM; D - Kobi Kawomoto, SCSU; D - Fiona McLeod, SCSU; G - Tuula Pupputti, UMD.
All-American First Team: D - Courtney Kennedy, UM; F - Maria Rooth, UMD.
All-American Second Team: F - Meghan Hunter, UW; D - Kerry Weiland, UW.
Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award Top-3 Finalist: Courtney Kennedy, D, UM.
Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award Top-10 Finalists: Meghan Hunter, F, UW; Courtney Kennedy, D, UM; Nadine Muzerall, F, UM; Maria Rooth, F, UM.
Playoff champion --Minnesota Duluth coached by Shannon Miller
                                          2001 WCHA Playoff Championship Rochester Recreation Center  • Rochester, Minn.
 March 8 Minnesota State 1, Minnesota Duluth 10 (204) Bemidji State 2, Wisconsin 5 (204) Ohio State 5, St. Cloud State 0 (204).
 March 9 Wisconsin 5, Minnesota Duluth 6 (OT) (239) Ohio State 4, Minnesota 0 (401)
 March 10 Third Place – Wisconsin 4, Minnesota 3 (423) Championship – Ohio State 0, Minnesota Duluth 3 (748).
 Attendance: 2,423. Champion: Minnesota Duluth                      
All-tourney team:  F - Meghan Hunter, Wisconsin F - Corinne Rosen, Ohio State F - Erika Holst, Minnesota Duluth D - Navada Russell, Minnesota Duluth D - Sis Paulsen, Wisconsin G - April Stojak, Ohio State MOP: Maria Rooth, F, Minnesota Duluth
                                                                        

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2001-02
NCAA champion – Minnesota Duluth, coached by Shannon Miller, beat Brown 3-2
Regular season champion -- Minnesota coached by Laura Halldorson
National Tournament Qualifiers: Minnesota Duluth, Minnesota.
WCHA Player of the Year: Ronda Curtin, D, UM.
WCHA Student-Athlete of the Year: Guylaine Hache, F, BSU.
WCHA Defensive Player of the Year: Ronda Curtin, D, UM.
WCHA Rookie of the Year: Jeni Creary, F, OSU.
WCHA Coach of the Year: Laura Halldorson, UM.
WCHA Scoring Champion: Ronda Curtin, D/F, UM (24gp, 9-27=36).
WCHA Goaltending Champion: Jody Horak, UM (9-1-0, 1.10, .955).
All-WCHA First Team: F - Jeni Creary, OSU; F - Meghan Hunter, UW; F - Maria Rooth, UMD; D - Ronda Curtin, UM; D - Kerry Weiland, UW; G - Jody Horak, UM.
All-WCHA Second Team: F - Amber Fryklund, BSU; F - Erika Holst, UMD; F - Kelly Stephens, UM; D - Emma Laaksonen, OSU; D - Kobi Kawamoto, SCSU; G - Jackie MacMillan, UW.
All-American First Team: F - Maria Rooth, UMD; D - Ronda Curtin, UM; D - Kerry Weiland, UW.
All-American Second Team: F - Meghan Hunter, UW; D - Emma Laaksonen, OSU.
Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award Top-3 Finalist: Ronda Curtin, D, UM. Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award Top-10 Finalists: Ronda Curtin, D, UM; Emma Laaksonen, D, OSU; Maria Rooth, F, UMD.
AHCA Women’s Division I Coach of the Year: Laura Halldorson, UM  
Playoff champion – Minnesota coached by Laura Halldorson March 7 Bemidji State 3, Ohio State 5 (445)
March 8 Minnesota Duluth 1, Wisconsin 4 (NA) Ohio State 1, Minnesota 4 (NA
March 9 Third Place – Ohio State 2, Minnesota Duluth 6 (NA) Championship – Wisconsin 2, Minnesota 3 (NA) Attendance: NA. Champion: Minnesota
All-tournament team - Kelly Stephens, Minnesota F - La Toya Clarke, Minnesota F - Hanne Sikio, Minnesota Duluth D - Carla MacLeod, Wisconsin D - Kerry Weiland, Wisconsin G - Jody Horak, Minnesota MOP: Ronda Curtin, D, Minnesota
                                             

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2002-2003
NCAA champion – Minnesota Duluth coached by Shannon Miller, beat Harvard 4-3, (2 OT)
Regular season champion—Minnesota Duluth, coached by Shannon Miller
National Tournament Qualifiers: Minnesota, Minnesota Duluth.
WCHA Player of the Year: Jenny Schmidgall-Potter, F, UMD.
WCHA Student-Athlete of the Year: Anik Cote, G, BSU.
WCHA Defensive Player of the Year: Ronda Curtin, D, UM.
WCHA Rookie of the Year: Natalie Darwitz, F, UM.
WCHA co-Coaches of the Year: Mark Johnson, UW; Shannon Miller, UMD.
WCHA Scoring Champion: Jenny Schmidgall-Potter, F, UMD (24gp, 22-43=65).
WCHA Goaltending Champion: Jody Horak, UM (16-3-0, 1.39, .941).
All-WCHA First Team: F - Jenny Schmidgall-Potter, UMD; F - Natalie Darwitz, UM; F - Caroline Ouellette, UMD; D - Krista McArthur, UMD; D - Ronda Curtin, UM; G - Shari Vogt, MSU; G - Jody Horak, UM.
All-WCHA Second Team: F - Maria Rooth, UMD; F - Krissy Wendell, UM; F - Erika Holst, UMD; D - Sis Paulsen, UW; D - Kerry Weiland, UW.
All-WCHA Rookie Team: F - Krissy Wendell, UM; F - Natalie Darwitz, UM; F - Caroline Ouellette, UMD; D - Krista McArthur, UMD; D - Kelly Stewart, SCSU; G - Jill Luebke, BSU.
All-American First Team: F - Natalie Darwitz, UM; F - Jenny Potter, UMD; D - Ronda Curtin, UM.
All-American Second Team: F - Maria Rooth, UMD; F - Krissy Wendell, UM.
Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award Top-3 Finalist: Jenny Schmidgall-Potter, F, UMD. Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award Top-10 Finalists: Natalie Darwitz, F, UM; Jenny Schmidgall-Potter, F, UMD; Maria Rooth, F, UMD; Krissy Wendell, F, UM.
AHCA Women’s Division I Coach of the Year: Shannon Miller, UMD.
Playoff champion – Minnesota Duluth, coached by Shannon Miller March 6 Bemidji State 3, Ohio State 4 (OT) (443)
March 7 Wisconsin 1, Minnesota 3 (523) Ohio State 1, Minnesota Duluth 6 (588)
March 8 Third Place – Ohio State 1, Wisconsin 4 (545) Championship – Minnesota 3, Minnesota Duluth 5 (647)
Attendance: 2,746. Champion: Minnesota Duluth
All-tournament team:  F - Erika Holst, Minnesota Duluth F - La Toya Clarke, Minnesota F - Jeni Creary, Ohio State D - Winny Brodt, Minnesota D - Sis Paulsen, Wisconsin G - Patricia Sautter, Minnesota Duluth MOP: Caroline Ouellette, F, Minnesota
                                                      

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2003-04
NCAA champion – Minnesota coached by Laura Halldorson, beat Harvard 6-2
Regular season champion – Minnesota coached by Laura Halldorson
National Tournament Qualifier: Minnesota.
WCHA Player of the Year: Krissy Wendell, F, UM.
WCHA Student-Athlete of the Year: Emma Laaksonen, D, OSU.
WCHA Defensive Player of the Year: Molly Engstrom, D, UW.
WCHA Rookie of the Year: Sara Bauer, F, UW.
WCHA Coach of the Year: Jeff Vizenor, MSU.
WCHA Scoring Champion: Jenny Schmidgall-Potter, F, UMD (24gp, 28-29=57).
WCHA Goaltending Champion: Meghan Horras, UW (8-3-1, 1.32, .941).
All-WCHA First Team: F - Krissy Wendell, UM; F - Jenny Schmidgall-Potter, UMD; F - Natalie Darwitz, UM; D - Molly Engstrom, UW; D - Julianne Vasichek, UMD; G - Shari Vogt, MSU.
All-WCHA Second Team: F - Caroline Ouellette, UMD; F - Sara Bauer, UW; F - Karen Rickard, UW; D - Carla MacLeod, UW; D - Kobi Kawamoto, SCSU; G - Meghan Horras, UW.
All-WCHA Rookie Team: F - Jessica Koizumi, UMD; F - Sara Bauer, UW; F - Noemie Marin, UMD; D - Tessa Bonhomme, OSU; D - Bobbi-Jo Slusar, UW; G - Christine Dufour, UW.
All-American First Team: F - Caroline Ouellette, UMD; F - Jenny Potter, UMD; F - Krissy Wendell, UM.
All-American Second Team: F - Natalie Darwitz, UM; D - Carla MacLeod, UW; D - Julianne Vasichek, UMD; G - Shari Vogt, MSU.
Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award Top-3 Finalist: Jenny Schmidgall-Potter, F, UMD. Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award Top-10 Finalists: Natalie Darwitz, F, UM; Jenny Schmidgall-Potter, F, UMD; Caroline Ouellete, F, UMD; Shari Vogt, G, MSU; Krissy Wendell, F, UM.
AHCA Women’s Division I Coach of the Year: Laura Halldorson, UM
Playoff champion – Minnesota March 12 No. 5 Minnesota State 1, No. 4 Ohio State 3 (687)
March 13 No. 3 Minnesota Duluth 3, No. 2 Wisconsin 1 No. 4 Ohio State 1, No. 1 Minnesota 5 (1,262)
March 14 Third Place – Ohio State 4, Wisconsin 5 Championship – Minnesota Duluth 2, Minnesota 4 (1,500)
Attendance: 3,449 (3 sessions). Champion: Minnesota.
All tournament team: F - Natalie Darwitz, Minnesota F - Jenny Schmidgall-Potter, Minnesota Duluth F - Kelly Stephens, Minnesota D - Molly Engstrom, Wisconsin D - Krista McArthur, Minnesota Duluth G - Jody Horak, Minnesota MOP: Krissy Wendell, F, Minnesota