Wisconsin's Caroline Harvey and Ava McNaughton, Minnesota's Jamie Nelson, and St. Cloud State's Maria Mikaelyan earned Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) monthly honors presented by Sterling Trophy Awards & Engraving for their performances in December.
WCHA Forward of the Month
Jamie Nelson, Gr., Minnesota (Andover, Minn.)
Minnesota's Jamie Nelson claimed her first WCHA Forward of the Month honor of the season for her performance through two games in December. In the Gophers' lone series of the month against St. Thomas, Nelson assisted on a goal in game one to help Minnesota to a 5-3 win over the Tommies. The Minnesota forward followed up with a one-goal, two-assist performance in game two of the series, guiding the Gophers to a 4-1 victory. Nelson recorded her first three-point game of the season with her performance in the second game of the series.
Other Nominees: Taylor Otremba, Minnesota State; Maria Mikaelyan, St. Cloud State; Laila Edwards, Wisconsin.
WCHA Defender of the Month
Caroline Harvey, Sr., Wisconsin (Salem, N.H.)
For the third consecutive month, Caroline Harvey earned the WCHA Defender of the Month honor after recording four points in Wisconsin's lone series of the month against No. 2 Ohio State. Harvey recorded the game-winning goal in the Badgers' 2-1 series opener against the Buckeyes and followed up in Saturday's 6-1 victory with a one-goal, two-assist performance. Harvey's three-point performance in game two of the series marked her 12th multi-point game of the season. Harvey leads all skaters in the NCAA this season in points (41) and assists (30).
Other Nominees: Nelli Laitinen, Minnesota; Kianna Roeske, Minnesota State.
WCHA Goaltender of the Month
Ava McNaughton, Jr., Wisconsin (Seven Fields, Pa.)
Wisconsin's Ava McNaughton was awarded her first WCHA Goaltender of the Month honor of the season. McNaughton backstopped Wisconsin in its only series of December, helping the Badgers to a sweep of No. 2 Ohio State. The Badger netminder posted back-to-back 25-plus save games against the Buckeyes, including 35 in the second game of the series, and allowed just one goal in each game against the second-ranked team in the nation. In the month, McNaughton made 60 saves on 62 shots faced for a .968 save percentage. McNaughton ranks second in the NCAA with her 1.27 goals against average.
Other Nominees: Layla Hemp, Minnesota; Ève Gascon, Minnesota Duluth; Hailey Hansen, Minnesota State; Emilia Kyrkkö, St. Cloud State.
WCHA Rookie of the Month
Maria Mikaelyan, Fr., St. Cloud State (Moscow, Russia)
St. Cloud State's Maria Mikaelyan earned her first-ever WCHA Rookie of the Month honor after recording four points in the Huskies lone series of December against No. 12 Minnesota State. The rookie forward assisted on three of the four goals for the Huskies in the 4-0 series-opening win against the Mavericks. Mikaelyan also tallied an assist in game two of the series for four points in December.
Other Nominees: Layla Hemp, Minnesota; Rae Mayer, Minnesota Duluth; Mercury Bischoff, Minnesota State; Whitney Horton, St. Thomas; Adéla Šapovalivová, Wisconsin.
For more information on the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, follow the league online at WCHA.com and follow @WCHA_WHockey on X, Instagram, and Facebook.
2025-26 WCHA Players of the Month:
December: Forward: Jamie Nelson, Minnesota; Defender: Caroline Harvey, Wisconsin; Goaltender: Ava McNaughton, Wisconsin; Rookie: Maria Mikaelyan, St. Cloud State
November: Forward: Joy Dunne, Ohio State; Defender: Caroline Harvey, Wisconsin; Goaltender: Hailey Hansen, Minnesota State; Rookie: Hilda Svensson, Ohio State
October: Forward: Hilda Svensson, Ohio State; Defender: Caroline Harvey, Wisconsin; Goaltender: Hannah Clark, Minnesota; Rookie: Hilda Svensson, Ohio State
September: Forward: Abbey Murphy, Minnesota; Defender: Sydney Morrow, Minnesota; Goaltender: Hailey Hansen, Minnesota State; Rookie: Bella Fanale, Minnesota