BLOOMINGTON, Minn. – On Wednesday, the Western Collegiate Hockey Association announced its Players of the Month for games during September. Wisconsin's Casey O'Brien was named the WCHA Forward of the Month while Ohio State's Emma Peschel earned the WCHA Defender of the Month honor. Minnesota Duluth's duo of Ève Gascon and Caitlin Kraemer claimed the Goaltender of the Month and Rookie of the Month honors, respectively.
WCHA Forward of the Month
Casey O'Brien, Sr., Wisconsin (Milton, Mass.)
In September, O'Brien helped Wisconsin to a 2-0 start to the season while also leading all WCHA players in points off of two goals and six assists. O'Brien is currently tied for first in the NCAA with her six assists on the month. The Milton, Massachusetts native recorded two four-point games in the Badgers series sweep over Lindenwood as she moved into fourth place in school history for career assists and seventh in career points.
Other Nominees: Abbey Murphy, Minnesota; Jordyn Petrie, Ohio State; Emma Gentry, St. Cloud State.
WCHA Defender of the Month
Emma Peschel, Jr., Ohio State (Edina, Minn.)
Peschel leads Ohio State in points with six after recording one goal and a team-high five assists through four games in September. The junior defender is tied for the team lead with a +5 on the ice and has recorded an assist in each of the Buckeyes' power play goals this season. In the Buckeyes' first win of the season against Bemidji State, Peschel recorded four assists marking a career-high and the most points by a Buckeye in a game this season.
Other Nominees: Chloe Primerano, Minnesota; Caroline Harvey, Wisconsin.
WCHA Goaltender of the Month
Ève Gascon, So., Minnesota Duluth (Mascouche, Quebec)
After two outings in September, Gascon recorded a league-leading 75 saves, which is more than any other goaltender by 23 saves. The netminder helped the Bulldogs to a series sweep of then No. 1 Ohio State in the opening weekend of action. Gascon owns the most saves per game average by any goaltender in the league with at least two appearances with 37.50 saves a game.
Other Nominees: Hailey MacLeod, Ohio State; Sanni Ahola, St. Cloud State; Ava McNaughton, Wisconsin.
WCHA Rookie of the Month
Caitlin Kraemer, F., Minnesota Duluth (Waterloo, Ontario)
Kraemer claimed the first Rookie of the Month honor of the season after helping Minnesota Duluth to a series sweep over then No. 1 Ohio State. Through two games in September, the rookie leads the Bulldogs in total points with three, one of which was a game-winning goal in UMD's second matchup with the Buckeyes. Kraemer averaged 1.50 points per game and 1.00 goals per game in her first two collegiate appearances.
Other Nominees: Jordyn Petrie, Ohio State; Chloe Primerano, Minnesota; Hannah Halverson, Wisconsin.
For more information on the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, follow the league at WCHA.com and on its social platforms: X, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
2024-25 WCHA Players of the Month:
September - Forward: Casey O'Brien, Wisconsin; Defender: Emma Peschel, Ohio State; Goaltender: Ève Gascon, Minnesota Duluth; Rookie: Caitlin Kraemer, Minnesota Duluth