Wisconsin's Kirsten Simms and Minnesota Duluth's Ève Gascon joined Ohio State's Sara Swiderski and Hilda Svensson to earn the latest Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) weekly honors presented by OS Hockey, announced on Monday by the league office.
WCHA Forward of the Week
Kirsten Simms, Sr., Wisconsin (Plymouth, Mich.)
Wisconsin's Kirsten Simms was named the WCHA Forward of the Week for the second time this season after her 5-point series performance for the Badgers against No. 10 St. Cloud State. Simms had multi-point efforts in both games of the series as she scored a goal and tallied two helpers in game one and followed up in game two with a one-goal, one-assist performance. Simms' goal in game two of the series marked the 200th point in her career as she became the eighth player in Wisconsin program history to reach the milestone.
Other Nominees: Abbey Murphy, Minnesota; Hilda Svensson, Ohio State.
WCHA Defender of the Week
Sara Swiderski, Sr., Ohio State (Langley, B.C.)
For the first time this season, Ohio State's Sara Swiderski was named the WCHA Defender of the Week. Swiderski recorded six points in the Buckeyes' series sweep of Minnesota State. In Friday's 5-2 series-opening victory for the Buckeyes, Swiderski recorded a career-high three assists and led the team with three points. The senior defender also had three points in Saturday's 7-3 win with her one-goal, two-assist performance. Her efforts from the blue line helped the Buckeyes earn their fifth sweep of the season and fourth WCHA sweep.
Other Nominees: Caroline Harvey, Wisconsin; Sydney Morrow, Minnesota.
WCHA Goaltender of the Week
Ève Gascon, Jr., Minnesota Duluth (Mascouche, Quebec)
An undefeated weekend in the net for Minnesota Duluth led to Ève Gascon earning her third WCHA Goaltender of the Week nod of the season. Gascon was the only goaltender in the league to log two wins in last weekend's action as she posted a 2-0-0 record against No. 15 St. Thomas. On Friday in the series opener, Gascon stopped 33 of the 34 shots she faced to help the Bulldogs in the 3-1 win. Gascon followed up on Saturday with a 35-save performance to help UMD earn the series sweep. Overall in the series, Gascon recorded a .958 save percentage and a 1.50 GAA.
Other Nominee: Taylor Kressin, Ohio State.
WCHA Rookie of the Week
Hilda Svensson, F, Ohio State (Oskarshamn, Sweden)
Ohio State's Hilda Svensson earned her third WCHA Rookie of the Week honor after posting a five-point series performance in the Buckeyes' sweep of Minnesota State. The rookie forward tied for a team-high two goals in the series against the Mavericks, with both goals coming in the series opener on Friday. Svensson followed up with three assists in Saturday's victory. Svensson now has nine games with multi-point performances in her first season with the Buckeyes.
Other Nominees: Bella Fanale, Minnesota; Maria Mikaelyan, St. Cloud State.
For more information on the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, follow the league on X and Instagram @WCHA_WHockey, and online at
wcha.com.
2025-26 WCHA Players of the Week
Nov. 17: Forward: Kirsten Simms, Wisconsin; Defender: Sara Swiderski, Ohio State; Goaltender: Ève Gascon, Minnesota Duluth; Rookie: Hilda Svensson, Ohio State
Nov. 10: Forward: Rylee Bartz, St. Thomas; Defender: Jenessa Gazdik, St. Thomas; Goaltender: Kaitlin Groess, Bemidji State
Nov. 3: Forward: Joy Dunne, Ohio State; Defender: Caroline Harvey, Wisconsin; Goaltender: Taylor Kressin, Ohio State; Rookie: Sophia Villanueva, Minnesota Duluth
Oct. 27: Forward: Claire Enright, Wisconsin; Defender: Emma Peschel, Ohio State; Goaltender: Hannah Clark, Minnesota; Rookie: Hilda Svensson, Ohio State
Oct. 20: Forward: Alice Sauriol, St. Cloud State; Defender: Ellah Hause, St. Thomas; Goaltender: Ève Gascon, Minnesota Duluth; Rookie: Rae Mayer, Minnesota Duluth
Oct. 13: Forward: Kirsten Simms, Wisconsin; Defender: Caroline Harvey, Wisconsin; Goaltender: Hannah Clark, Minnesota; Rookie: Maria Mikaelyan, St. Cloud State
Oct. 6: Forward: Abbey Murphy, Minnesota; Defender: Laila Edwards, Wisconsin; Goaltender: Ava McNaughton, Wisconsin; Rookie: Hilda Svensson, Ohio State
Sept. 29: Forward: Abbey Murphy, Minnesota; Defender: Sydney Morrow, Minnesota; Goaltender: Ève Gascon, Minnesota Duluth; Rookie: Bella Fanale, Minnesota
Sept. 22: Forward: Rylee Bartz, St. Thomas; Defender: Siiri Yrjölä, St. Cloud State; Goaltender: Hailey Hansen, Minnesota State; Rookie: Zoe Lopez, Minnesota State