On Wednesday, the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) announced its September Players of the Month honors presented by Sterling Trophy Awards & Engraving, as Minnesota’s trio of Abbey Murphy, Sydney Morrow, and Bella Fanale were joined by Minnesota State’s Hailey Hansen in earning the honors.
WCHA Forward of the Month
Abbey Murphy, Gr., Minnesota (Evergreen Park, Ill.)
In two games during September, Minnesota's Abbey Murphy recorded nine points off four goals and five assists to earn the WCHA Forward of the Month Honor. Murphy helped the Gophers to a series sweep of Boston College with her 9-point performance in the series, which included a hat trick in Minnesota's 11-0 win on September 26th. The Minnesota forward finished the month with a +9 and became the 11th Gopher to reach 200 career points in program history. Murphy led all WCHA skaters in points (9), assists (5), and tied for first in goals (4) during September.
Other Nominees: Caitlin Kraemer, Minnesota Duluth; Zoe Lopez, Minnesota State; Rylee Bartz, St. Thomas; Maggie Scannell, Wisconsin.
WCHA Defender of the Month
Sydney Morrow, Sr., Minnesota (Darien, Conn.)
Minnesota's Sydney Morrow was named the WCHA Defender of the Month after recording two goals and three assists in two games during September. Against Boston College, Morrow recorded three assists in the 7-1 season-opening victory for the Gophers and followed up in game two with a two-goal performance. Morrow also scored the game-winning goal in game two of the series. The Darien, Connecticut, native finished September with a +7 while adding five blocked shots. Morrow earned the WCHA Defender of the Week nod on September 29th for her performance in the series.
Other Nominees: Ida Karlsson, Minnesota Duluth; Siiri Yrjölä, St. Cloud State; Jenessa Gazdik, St. Thomas; Caroline Harvey, Wisconsin.
WCHA Goaltender of the Month
Hailey Hansen, Jr., Minnesota State (Blaine, Minn.)
Hailey Hansen claimed her first-ever WCHA Goaltender of the Month honor after her undefeated month in the net for Minnesota State. Hansen helped the Mavericks earn a series sweep of RPI as she went 2-0-0 in the series and recorded 48 saves on 51 shots faced. The junior netminder recorded a 1.51 goals against average and a .941 save percentage in September. Hansen was also named the WCHA Goaltender of the Week on September 22nd.
Other Nominees: Layla Hemp, Minnesota; Ève Gascon, Minnesota Duluth; Emilia Kyrkkö, St. Cloud State; Julia Minotti, St. Thomas; Ava McNaughton, Wisconsin.
WCHA Rookie of the Month
Bella Fanale, Forward, Minnesota (Webster, N.Y.)
Bella Fanale claimed her first WCHA Rookie of the Month award for her performance in Minnesota's series sweep of Boston College during September. In her first-ever collegiate game, Fanale earned a multi-point performance after scoring two goals in the season opener for Minnesota. The rookie tallied four points in game two of the series with one goal and three assists. The rookie forward went a combined 24-10 (71%) in the face-off circle in September and was named the WCHA Rookie of the Week on September 29th.
Other Nominees: Molly Cole, Minnesota Duluth; Zoe Lopez, Minnesota State; Josie Skoogman, St. Thomas.
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:
September - Forward: Abbey Murphy, Minnesota; Defender: Sydney Morrow, Minnesota; Goaltender: Hailey Hansen, Minnesota State; Rookie: Bella Fanale, Minnesota.