St. Cloud State University swept the Western Collegiate Hockey Association weekly awards as four Huskies received Sterling Trophy Player of the Week awards after a weekend sweep of Union College to start the 2023-24 season.

The WCHA Forward of the Week award went to SCSU senior Emma Gentry and the WCHA Defender of the Week award went to St. Cloud State junior Ella Anick.  The WCHA Goaltender of the Week award was presented to senior Sanni Ahola and the WCHA Rookie of the Week award went to Sofianna Sundelin.

The games played in the WCHA this past weekend marked the beginning of the 25th season of women’s hockey competition in the WCHA.  

Sterling Trophy WCHA Forward of the Week:
Emma Gentry/Forward/Senior/Alpena Mich.
Gentry had two goals and 15 shots on goal as the No. 13 Huskies swept Union in their season-opening series, adding an assist for three points while skating to a plus-three. The senior forward added a game-winning goal as part of a multi-goal game in the season opener and was one of two WCHA players to post a three-point effort over the week.

Others receiving votes: Gabbie Smith, Bemidji State

Sterling Trophy WCHA Defender of the Week:
Ella Anick/Defender/Junior/Hermantown, Minn.
Anick led the WCHA with five points, four assists and a plus-five rating as she starred in the Huskies’ season-opening series sweep of Union on Sept. 23 and Sept. 24. Anick scored a goal to go with her conference-leading four helpers to finish with a league best five points. She posted three assists in the season opener then followed with a goal and an assist for a two-point finale, closing the weekend as the only player in the WCHA to record a pair of multi-point games.

Others receiving votes: Makenna Deering, Bemidji State

Sterling Trophy WCHA Goaltender of the Week:
Sanni Ahola/Goaltender/Senior/Helsinki, Finland
Sanni Ahola earned her fourth career shutout as No. 13 St. Cloud State blanked Union 4-0 on Sunday to secure a series sweep. Ahola was a steady presence in the crease, turning away each of the 19 shots she faced. The senior shut down a handful of odd-man rushes and added a pair of impressive covers in traffic, lunging into lanes and earning her defense a whistle. She played a key role in the 4-for-4 Huskies penalty kill, stopping all five Union shots on the advantage.

Others receiving votes: Abbie Thompson, Bemidji State

Sterling Trophy WCHA Rookie of the Week:
Sofianna Sundelin/Forward/Freshman/Ulvila, Finland
Sofianna Sundelin led all WCHA rookies with two points on two assists as the No. 13 Huskies swept Union, skating on the top line in her collegiate debut weekend.  Sundelin put three shots on goal, blocked two shots and skated to a plus-one rating as part of a highly productive weekend. She provided an assist in both games of the series and skated on both special teams units.

Other receiving votes: Kate Johnson, Bemidji State
 

ABOUT THE WCHA:
Founded in 1999, the women’s league of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association has positioned itself as the top conference in all of women’s collegiate hockey and will celebrate its 25th anniversary in 2023-24.  The WCHA has won an unprecendented 20 national championships while finishing as the national runner-up nine times since 1999.  The league has produced nine Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award winners as well an additional 24 student-athletes who were among the Top-3 finalists for the award.  In addition, WCHA student-athletes have been recognized as All-Americans 121 times in league history.

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.