After leading each of their respective teams to series sweeps, Wisconsin's Kirsten Simms and Caroline Harvey were joined by Minnesota State's Hailey Hansen and Minnesota Duluth's Caitlin Kraemer in claiming the latest set of Western Collegiate Hockey Association weekly awards presented by OS Hockey.
The Badgers' duo of Simms and Harvey were named the Forward of the Week and Defender of the Week, respectively after their performances in Wisconsin's series sweep of Maine. For the second consecutive week, Minnesota State's Hansen was tabbed the Goaltender of the Week while the Bulldogs' Kraemer earned the Rookie of the Week honor.
WCHA Forward of the Week
Kirsten Simms, Jr., Wisconsin (Plymouth, Mich.)
For the first time this season, Wisconsin's Kirsten Simms was tabbed the WCHA Forward of the Week. In Friday night's 9-0 shutout win over Maine, Simms recorded two goals and two assists. The junior forward followed up with two goals and an assist in Wisconsin's 6-1 victory over the Black Bears on Saturday. Simms led all WCHA skaters on the weekend with four goals.
Other Nominees: Taylor Otremba, Minnesota State; Keara Parker, St. Thomas.
WCHA Defender of the Week
Caroline Harvey, Jr., Wisconsin (Salem, N.H. )
Caroline Harvey was named the WCHA Defender of the Week for the fifth time this season after leading all league defenders in points over the weekend with seven. In Wisconsin's 9-0 win over Maine on Friday, Harvey scored two goals and added two assists. Harvey followed up on Saturday with three assists in the Badgers' 6-1 victory.
Other Nominee: Jenessa Gazdik, Minnesota State.
WCHA Goaltender of the Week
Hailey Hansen, So., Minnesota State (Blaine, Minn.)
Minnesota State's Hailey Hansen claimed the WCHA Goaltender of the Week honor for the second consecutive week after helping the Mavericks to a series sweep on the road over Dartmouth. On the weekend, Hansen went 2-0-0 between the pipes and posted the first shutout of the season in Friday's 4-0 victory. The sophomore netminder blocked 53 of the 55 shots faced on the weekend.
Other Nominees: Dani Strom, St. Thomas; Quinn Kuntz, Wisconsin.
WCHA Rookie of the Week
Caitlin Kraemer, Fr., F, Minnesota Duluth (Waterloo, Ontario)
Caitlin Kraemer earned her third WCHA Rookie of the Week nod after a career weekend in Minnesota Duluth's series sweep over Vermont. The rookie opened the series with an assist in Friday's 4-0 victory. On Saturday, Kraemer followed up and recorded her first collegiate hat trick along with two assists for a career-high five points in the Bulldogs' 9-1 win.
Other Nominee: Dani Strom, St. Thomas; Finley McCarthy, 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:
Dec. 2 | Forward: Kirsten Simms, Wisconsin; Defender: Caroline Harvey, Wisconsin; Goaltender: Hailey Hansen, Minnesota State; Rookie: Caitlin Kraemer, Minnesota Duluth
Nov. 25 | Forward: Olivia Wallin, Minnesota Duluth; Defender: Tova Henderson, Minnesota Duluth; Goaltender: Hailey Hansen, Minnesota State; Rookie: Chloe Boreen, St. Thomas
Nov. 18 | Forward: Abbey Murphy, Minnesota; Defender: Riley Brengman, Ohio State; Goaltender: Hannah Clark, Minnesota; Rookie: Kaitlin Groess, Bemidji State
Nov. 11 | Forward: Cara Sajevic, St. Thomas; Defender: Nicole Vallario, St. Thomas
Nov. 4 | Forward: Joy Dunne, Ohio State; Defender: Caroline Harvey, Wisconsin; Goaltender: Dani Strom, St. Thomas; Rookie: Caitlin Kraemer, Minnesota Duluth
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