Ohio State's Trio of Joy Dunne, Emma Peschel and Josie St. Martin joined St. Cloud State's Emilia Kyrkkö in claiming this week's Western Collegiate Hockey Association weekly honors.
After helping Ohio State to claim the 2024 Ice Breaker Tournament title, Dunne was named the Forward of the Week, while teammates Peschel and St. Martin claimed the Defender of the Week and Rookie of the Week awards, respectively. The Huskies' Kyrkkö earned her second Goaltender of the Week accolade of the season.
WCHA Forward of the Week
Joy Dunne, So., Ohio State (Ofallon, Mo.)
Dunne started the week by scoring a goal in Ohio State's 5-1 win over No. 15 Mercyhurst on Tuesday. At the 2024 Women's Ice Breaker event, Dunne tied for the team lead in points with six and goals with three on the weekend to help her team win the title. In Friday's 11-0 win against Stonehill, Dunne recorded four points off of two goals and two assists. In the championship game of the event against No. 11 Cornell, Dunne tallied a goal and an assist to lead the Buckeyes to a 7-3 victory. The sophomore forward was named to the Ice Breaker All-Tournament Team.
Other Nominees: Peyton Hemp, Minnesota; Whitney Tuttle, Minnesota State; Cassie Hall, Wisconsin.
WCHA Defender of the Week
Emma Peschel, Jr., Ohio State (Edina, Minn.)
Peschel helped the Buckeyes to a 5-1 win over No. 15 Mercyhurst on Tuesday where she tallied two assists in the game. The junior defender then went on to record a four-point weekend at the 2024 Ice Breaker Tournament where she was named to the All-Tournament Team. Peschel led the Buckeyes' defensive effort that held opponents to just 24 shots on goal.
Other Nominees: Sydney Morrow, Minnesota; Dayle Ross, St. Cloud State; Caroline Harvey, Wisconsin.
WCHA Goaltender of the Week
Emilia Kyrkkö, Fr., St. Cloud State (Nokia, Finland)
On Friday in St. Cloud State's 1-1 tie and shootout loss against St. Thomas, Kyrkkö made 28 saves and allowed just one goal in regulation while saving three of the penalty shots she faced. The Nokia, Finland native did not allow an even-strength goal and made 14 saves in Saturday's 3-1 win over the Tommies. On the weekend, Kyrkkö led the WCHA with her 0.96 goals against average. The rookie has now remained undefeated through her first five collegiate games at 3-0-2.
Other Nominees: Hannah Clark, Minnesota; Jessie McPherson, Minnesota State; Lexington Secreto, Ohio State; Ava McNaughton, Wisconsin.
WCHA Rookie of the Week
Josie St. Martin, F, Ohio State (Stillwater, Minn.)
Josie St. Martin helped the Buckeyes to a 3-0-0 record against non-conference opponents last week. In Friday's 11-0 win over Stonehill at the Ice Breaker Tournament, St. Martin recorded a career-high four points off of two goals and two assists. The game marked the first multi-goal and multi-point performance of her career.
Other Nominees: Chloe Primerano, Minnesota; Audrey Garton, Minnesota State; Emilia Kyrkkö, St. Cloud State; Dani Strom, St. Thomas.
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. 28: Forward: Joy Dunne, Ohio State; Defender: Emma Peschel, Ohio State; Goaltender: Emilia Kyrkkö, St. Cloud State; Rookie: Josie St. Martin, Ohio State
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