The Western Collegiate Hockey Association announced its Players of the Month for games during October as Wisconsin's trio of Casey O'Brien, Caroline Harvey and Ava McNaughton were joined by St. Cloud State's Emilia Kyrkkö in claiming honors.
WCHA Forward of the Month
Casey O'Brien, Sr., Wisconsin (Milton, Mass.)
O’Brien earned her second consecutive WCHA Forward of the Month honor after leading all WCHA skaters in points with 16 and assists with 11 in October. The senior forward recorded at least one point in every game during the month while her 96 faceoff wins were the third most of any skater in the conference. She became the sixth Badger in Wisconsin program history to record 200 career points.
Other Nominees: Hailey Armstrong, Bemidji State; Abbey Murphy, Minnesota; Whitney Tuttle, Minnesota State; Jenna Buglioni, Ohio State.
WCHA Defender of the Month
Caroline Harvey, Jr., Wisconsin (Salem, N.H.)
After earning two WCHA Defender of the Week honors in October, Wisconsin’s Harvey claimed the Defender of the Month honor. During October, Harvey led all defenders in the league with 14 points while recording at least one point in every game. Her 10 assists on the month ranked second among all league skaters while her +14 plus/minus rating was tied for the best mark by a league skater.
Other Nominees: Riley Reeves, Bemidji State; Sydney Morrow, Minnesota; Emma Peschel, Ohio State.
WCHA Goaltender of the Month
Ava McNaughton, So., Wisconsin (Seven Fields, Pa.)
Wisconsin’s McNaughton led the Badgers to an undefeated mark in October as the Seven Fields, Pennsylvania native recorded a league-best eight wins. The three shutouts McNaughton recorded were the most of any WCHA goaltender during the month, while her goals against average of 1.05 and .948 save percentage ranked second in the WCHA.
Other Nominees: Hannah Clark, Minnesota; Amanda Thiele, Ohio State; Emilia Kyrkkö, St. Cloud State.
WCHA Rookie of the Month
Emilia Kyrkkö, G, St. Cloud State (Nokia, Finland)
In October, St. Cloud State’s Kyrkkö led the WCHA with a .970 goals against average and .962 save percentage. Kyrkkö went undefeated with a 3-0-2 record in October. The rookie finished the month ranked second in the WCHA with two shutouts. In St. Cloud State’s tie/shootout win over No. 2 Ohio State, Kyrkkö tallied a career-high 45 saves, marking the most in a single game by any WCHA goaltender in October. She earned two Goaltender of the Week honors and one Rookie of the Week award in October.
Other Nominees: Kaitlin Groess, Bemidji State; Chloe Primerano, Minnesota; Jordyn Petrie, Ohio State; Chloe Boreen, St. Thomas; Maggie Scannell, 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:
October - Forward: Casey O'Brien, Wisconsin; Defender: Caroline Harvey, Wisconsin; Goaltender: Ava McNaughton, Wisconsin; Rookie: Emilia Kyrkkö, St. Cloud State
September - Forward: Casey O'Brien, Wisconsin; Defender: Emma Peschel, Ohio State; Goaltender: Ève Gascon, Minnesota Duluth; Rookie: Caitlin Kraemer, Minnesota Duluth