Minnesota Duluth's duo of Olivia Wallin and Caitlin Kraemer were joined by Wisconsin's Caroline Harvey and Ava McNaughton in earning the Western Collegiate Hockey Association Players of the Month honors for February, presented by Sterling Trophy Awards & Engraving.
WCHA Forward of the Month
Olivia Wallin, Fifth-Yr., Minnesota Duluth (Oakville, Ontario)
For the first time this season, Minnesota Duluth's Olivia Wallin was named the WCHA Forward of the Month for her performance throughout February. Wallin led all WCHA skaters with 15 points during the month and was tied for the league lead in assists with nine. The fifth year forward recorded four multi-point games in February. Wallin earned a career-high six points off of two goals and four assists in the Bulldogs' win over Minnesota State on Feb. 14. In the opening game of the WCHA First Round series against St. Cloud State, Wallin recorded the game-winning goal with five seconds left in the comeback victory.
Other Nominees: Emma Kreisz, Minnesota; Claire Vekich, Minnesota State; Joy Dunne, Ohio State; Casey O'Brien, Wisconsin.
WCHA Defender of the Month
Caroline Harvey, Jr., Wisconsin (Salem, N.H.)
Wisconsin's Caroline Harvey claimed her third WCHA Defender of the Month award after her milestone month in February. Harvey broke the Wisconsin program record for most points by a defender in a single season on Feb. 21 in the Badgers' 6-1 win over Bemidji State. Harvey led all skaters in the league with her +16 plus/minus rating while helping the Badgers to a 6-0-0 record, including three ranked wins during February. The Badger defender recorded seven points during the month off of one goal and six assists.
Other Nominees: Chloe Primerano, Minnesota; Mira Jungåker, Ohio State.
WCHA Goaltender of the Month
Ava McNaughton, So., Wisconsin (Seven Fields, Pa.)
Ava McNaughton was named the WCHA Goaltender of the Month for the second-straight month and fourth time this season after posting an undefeated record in February for Wisconsin. The Badger netminder was tied for first among all WCHA goaltenders in total wins with five. Three of McNaughton's five wins came against ranked opponents during the month. McNaughton ranked second in the league in February with her .948 save percentage and 1.00 goals against average.
Other Nominees: Ève Gascon, Minnesota Duluth; Amanda Thiele, Ohio State; Dani Strom, St. Thomas.
WCHA Rookie of the Month
Caitlin Kraemer, F, Minnesota Duluth (Waterloo, Ontario)
Minnesota Duluth's Caitlin Kraemer earned her third WCHA Rookie of the Month honor after recording the second-highest amount of goals of any skater in the WCHA during February. Kraemer scored seven goals while leading the WCHA in power-play goals with four. The rookie forward logged four multi-point games during February and led the league in face-off wins per game (12.13) and total wins (97).
Other Nominees: Morgan Smith, Bemidji State; Chloe Primerano, Minnesota; Mira Jungåker, Ohio State; Dani Strom, St. Thomas.
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:
February - Forward: Olivia Wallin, Minnesota Duluth; Defender: Caroline Harvey, Wisconsin; Goaltender: Ava McNaughton, Wisconsin; Rookie: Caitlin Kraemer, Minnesota Duluth
January - Forward: Abbey Murphy, Minnesota; Defender: Sydney Morrow, Minnesota; Goaltender: Ava McNaughton, Wisconsin; Rookie: Dani Strom, St. Thomas
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