BLOOMINGTON, Minn. – Minnesota Duluth and St. Cloud State took home the first set of Western Collegiate Hockey Association weekly honors of the season as the two programs earned series sweeps over their respective opponents in the opening week of play. The Huskies' Emma Gentry earned the Forward of the Week honor while teammate Ella Anick was named Defender of the Week. Minnesota Duluth's Ève Gascon was named the Goaltender of the Week as Caitlin Kraemer claimed the Freshman of the Week nod.
WCHA Forward of the Week
Emma Gentry, Gr., St. Cloud State (Alpena, Mich.)
In St. Cloud State's opening series at Lindenwood, Emma Gentry recorded three goals, four points and 18 shots on goal. In the Huskies' season opener on Saturday, Gentry led the game with nine shots on goal and 12 faceoff wins, while scoring the only even-strength goal of the game. In Sunday's victory over the Lions, Gentry posted her first multi-goal and multi-point game of the season and led the game with nine shots on goal and was second in faceoff wins with 10.
Other Nominees: Caitlin Kraemer, Minnesota Duluth; Jordyn Petrie, Ohio State.
WCHA Defender of the Week
Ella Anick, Sr., St. Cloud State (Hermantown, Minn.)
Ella Anick helped St. Cloud State to a season-opening shutout over Lindenwood on Saturday. The game on Saturday marked the 100th collegiate game of Anick's career as she tallied two assists in the contest. On Sunday, the Hermantown, Minnesota native led the Huskies in blocks with two and skated to a career and game-high +4.
Other Nominees: Ida Karlsson, Minnesota Duluth; Emma Peschel, Ohio State.
WCHA Goaltender of the Week
Ève Gascon, So., Minnesota Duluth (Mascouche, Quebec)
Ève Gascon helped No. 7 Minnesota Duluth to a season-opening series sweep over the top-ranked team in the nation Ohio State. Gascon faced a total of 79 shots across two games and responded with 75 saves. In addition to making the most saves in a series in her career, Gascon added an assist on Caitlin Kraemer's game-tying goal in Sunday's victory for her first collegiate assist. The two wins against Ohio State were the first for Gascon against a top-3 nationally-ranked team. The series sweep also was the first of her career.
Other Nominee: Sanni Ahola, St. Cloud State.
WCHA Rookie of the Week
Caitlin Kraemer, Fr., Minnesota Duluth (Waterloo, Ontario)
Caitlin Kraemer helped lead No. 7 Minnesota Duluth to an undefeated opening weekend over No. 1 Ohio State. In the second game of the series, Kraemer scored two goals in the third period to give UMD the 4-3 lead and help secure the Bulldogs series sweep. Kraemer's end-to-end goals included one unassisted effort on the game-winner. The Ontario native also added an assist on UMD's first goal of the game. The Freshman forward earned the first goal of her career and first multiple-point game in Sunday's victory.
Other Nominee: Jordyn Petrie, Ohio State.
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:
Sept. 23: Forward: Emma Gentry, SCSU; Defender: Ella Anick, SCSU; Goaltender: Ève Gascon, UMD; Rookie: Caitlin Kraemer, Minnesota Duluth, UMD