Minnesota's Abbey Murphy and Chloe Primerano were joined by Minnesota Duluth's Ève Gascon and Bemidji State's Morgan Smith in claiming the Western Collegiate Hockey Association Players of the Month honors for December, presented by Sterling Trophy Awards & Engraving.
The Gopher duo of Murphy and Primerano claimed their first monthly honors of the season as they were named the Forward of the Month and Defender of the Month, respectively. Minnesota Duluth's Gascon was tabbed the Goaltender of the Month for the second time this season while Smith earned her first Rookie of the Month accolade.
WCHA Forward of the Month
Abbey Murphy, R-Sr., Minnesota (Evergreen Park, Ill.)
Minnesota's Abbey Murphy claimed her first monthly honor of the season after being named the WCHA Forward of the Month. In Minnesota's only series of December against St. Thomas, Murphy tied her career-high in series points with eight off of three goals and five assists. Murphy tallied two goals and three assists in Minnesota's 5-0 win over the Tommies on December 6 as she notched a point on every Gopher goal in the contest. The redshirt senior forward followed up with a one-goal, two-assist performance in the Gophers' 6-2 win on December 7. Murphy was tabbed the WCHA Forward of the Week on December 9 for her efforts.
Other Nominees: Madison Mashuga, Minnesota State; Kirsten Simms, Wisconsin.
WCHA Defender of the Month
Chloe Primerano, Fr., Minnesota (North Vancouver, B.C.)
After a career-high performance in December, Minnesota's Chloe Primerano claimed her first-ever WCHA Defender of the Month honor. In Minnesota's series sweep of St. Thomas, Primerano posted a career-high four series points. The rookie defender recorded one goal and one assist in each of Minnesota's matchups against the Tommies, including one power-play goal. Primerano was tabbed the WCHA Defender of the Week on December 9 for her performance.
Other Nominees: JuliAnna Gazdik, Minnesota State; Caroline Harvey, Wisconsin.
WCHA Goaltender of the Month
Ève Gascon, So., Minnesota Duluth (Mascouche, Quebec)
Minnesota Duluth's Ève Gascon was named the WCHA Goaltender of the Month for her efforts in December marking her second monthly honor of the season. In the Bulldogs' lone December series against No. 8 St. Cloud State, Gascon averaged 24.50 saves per game and recorded a save percentage of 0.961. On December 6 against the Huskies, Gascon helped her team secure the extra WCHA point with three shootout saves in addition to her 27 stops throughout the game. The sophomore netminder was named the WCHA Goaltender of the Week on December 9 for her efforts in the series.
Other Nominees: Hannah Clark, Minnesota; Hailey Hansen, Minnesota State; Ava McNaughton, Wisconsin.
WCHA Rookie of the Month
Morgan Smith, F, Bemidji State (East St. Paul, Manitoba)
For the first time this season, Bemidji State claimed a monthly honor as Morgan Smith was tabbed the Rookie of the Month. Smith led the Beavers in scoring during December with three goals. The rookie netted all three goals on December 14 against Minnesota State for her first collegiate hat trick. Smith's hat trick marked the first by a Bemidji State rookie since 2020. The Beaver forward also earned her first WCHA Rookie of the Week honor on December 16. On the month, Smith scored two power-play goals and posted four shots on goal.
Other Nominees: Chloe Primerano, Minnesota; 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:
December - Forward: Abbey Murphy, Minnesota; Defender: Chloe Primerano, Minnesota; Goaltender: Ève Gascon, Minnesota Duluth; Rookie: Morgan Smith, Bemidji State
November - Forward: Laila Edwards, Wisconsin; Defender: Caroline Harvey, Wisconsin; Goaltender: Ava McNaughton, Wisconsin; Rookie: Caitlin Kraemer, Minnesota Duluth
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