After another thrilling weekend in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, Bemidji State, St. Cloud State and Wisconsin took home the WCHA weekly honors. The Beavers' Hailey Armstrong claimed the Forward of the Week award for the first time this season. Wisconsin's duo of Caroline Harvey and Ava McNaughton were named the Defender of the Week and Goaltender of the Week, respectively while St. Cloud State's Emilia Kyrkkö claimed her first Rookie of the Week honor.
WCHA Forward of the Week
Hailey Armstrong, So., Bemidji State (Dawson Creek, B.C.)
Bemidji State's Hailey Armstrong won the first Forward of the Week honor of the season for the Beavers after recording three goals in the series against Lindenwood. Armstrong posted 18 shots on goal in the series while also recording her first collegiate hat trick in Friday's 6-3 win over the Lions. The 14 shots on goal recorded by Armstrong in Friday's win was a Bemidji State program record.
Other Nominees: Clara Van Wieren, Minnesota Duluth; Jenna Buglioni, Ohio State; Casey O'Brien, Wisconsin.
WCHA Defender of the Week
Caroline Harvey, Jr., Wisconsin (Salem, N.H.)
For the third time this season, Wisconsin's Caroline Harvey was awarded the WCHA Defender of the Week honor. In the series sweep over No. 3 Minnesota, Harvey recorded a league-best five points off of five assists. On Friday, Harvey assisted on a goal in the 5-0 shutout win over the Gophers and followed up on Saturday with four assists in the 4-3 comeback victory for the Badgers.
Other Nominees: Riley Reeves, Bemidji State; Sydney Morrow, Minnesota; Emma Peschel, Ohio State; Dayle Ross, St. Cloud State.
WCHA Goaltender of the Week
Ava McNaughton, So., Wisconsin (Seven Fields, Pa.)
Ava McNaughton led the WCHA with wins over the weekend with two as No. 1 Wisconsin swept No. 3 Minnesota on the road. The Seven Fields, Pennsylvania native made 18 saves in the Badgers' 5-0 shutout on Friday. This marked Wisconsin's first road shutout of the Gophers since the 2016-17 season. On Saturday, McNaughton stopped 26 of the 29 shots she faced in Wisconsin's 4-3 comeback win on Saturday.
Other Nominees: Ève Gascon, Minnesota Duluth; Amanda Thiele, Ohio State; Emilia Kyrkkö, St. Cloud State.
WCHA Rookie of the Week
Emilia Kyrkkö, G, St. Cloud State (Nokia, Finland)
On Saturday, in St. Cloud State's 3-3 tie with No. 2 Ohio State, Emilia Kyrkkö
made a career-high 45 saves while only allowing one full-strength goal. In the overtime period, the rookie saved all six shots she faced and also saved all three shootout attempts to help the Huskies earn the extra conference point.
Other Nominees: Isa Goettl, Bemidji State; Jordyn Petrie, Ohio State; 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 Week:
Oct. 21: Forward: Hailey Armstrong, Bemidji State; Defender: Caroline Harvey, Wisconsin; Goaltender: Ava McNaughton, Wisconsin; Rookie: Emilia Kyrkkö, St. Cloud State
Oct. 14: Forward: Laila Edwards, Jr., Wisconsin; Defender: Laney Potter, Wisconsin; Goaltender: Amanda Thiele, Ohio State; Rookie: Maggie Scannell, Wisconsin
Oct. 7: Forward: Casey O'Brien, Wisconsin; Defender: Caroline Harvey, Wisconsin; Goaltender: Emilia Kyrkkö, St. Cloud State; Rookie: Chloe Boreen, St. Thomas
Sept. 30: Forward: Casey O'Brien, Wisconsin; Defender: Caroline Harvey, Wisconsin; Goaltender: Hailey MacLeod, Ohio State; Rookie: Jordyn Petrie, Ohio State
Sept. 23: Forward: Emma Gentry, St. Cloud State; Defender: Ella Anick, St. Cloud State; Goaltender: Ève Gascon, Minnesota Duluth; Rookie: Caitlin Kraemer, Minnesota Duluth