The Western Collegiate Hockey Association is proud to announce this year's finalists for the Forward, Goaltender, Defender, Coach, Student-Athlete and Rookie of the Year honors. This year's winners will be announced on the eve of the 2026 Kwik Trip WCHA Final Faceoff on Wednesday, March 4. 

WCHA fans can purchase both single-session and all-session tickets and see complete information on the 2026 Kwik Trip WCHA Final Faceoff online at the link HERE. 

2025-26 WCHA Forward of the Year Finalists

Three All-WCHA First Team forwards are up for the 2025-26 WCHA Forward of the Year honor in Minnesota's Abbey Murphy, Ohio State's Joy Dunne, and Wisconsin's Lacey Eden. Eden was named the 2025-26 WCHA Scoring Champion after leading all players with 53 points (21g, 32a) in conference play. Murphy was second among all WCHA skaters with 37 points (23, 14a) in conference play despite only playing in 20 games as she competed for Team USA at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Also competing for Team USA was Ohio State's Joy Dunne, who recorded 31 points (21g, 10a) in 18 conference games for the Buckeyes. Eden currently leads the NCAA in total points this season at 70 (27g, 43a), followed by Murphy in second with 64 (38g, 26a), while Joy Dunne ranks eighth with 47 (26g, 21a). 

2025-26 WCHA Defender of the Year Finalists

Two of the three finalists for the WCHA Defender of the Year award were named finalists for last year's honor, as Ohio State's Emma Peschel and Wisconsin's Caroline Harvey are once again up for the accolade, along with Minnesota's Nelli Laitinen. Wisconsin's Harvey, who won the honor a season ago, led all blueliners in the WCHA with 42 points (14g, 28a) in just 20 league games as she was a member of Team USA at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Ohio State's Peschel was second among all WCHA defenders with 27 points (8g, 19a) in 23 games for the Buckeyes. Nelli Laitinen scored three goals and had 17 assists for 20 points as she played in only 22 league games for the Gophers after competing for Team Finland at the 2026 Winter Olympics. All three of this year's finalists rank inside the top-10 in total points among all NCAA defenders this season, as Harvey leads the way with 58 points (17g, 41a), followed by Peschel, who ranks seventh with 31 points (9g, 22a), and Laitinen in eighth at 30 points (10g, 20a). 

2025-26 WCHA Goaltender of the Year Finalists

This year's three finalists for the 2025-26 WCHA Goaltender of the Year honor are Minnesota Duluth's Ève Gascon, Ohio State's Hailey MacLeod, and Wisconsin's Ava McNaughton. Gascon, who won the honor last season, was also named this year's WCHA Goaltending Champion after leading all league goaltenders in conference play with her .943 save percentage. Wisconsin's McNaughton posted a league-best 1.53 goals against average during conference play and posted a 17-1-2 record in conference play, as her 17 wins were the most among all WCHA goaltenders. Ohio State's MacLeod recorded a 1.61 goals against average in conference play, which ranked second among all goaltenders, while her .930 save percentage was tied for second. Both Gascon and McNaughton were named semifinalists for the 2025-26 Women’s Hockey Goalie of the Year Award.

2025-26 WCHA Rookie of the Year Finalists
Three 2025-26 WCHA All-Rookie team members are up for the WCHA Rookie of the Year award in Minnesota's Bella Fanale, Minnesota State's Mercury Bischoff, and Ohio State's Hilda Svensson. Fanale was fifth on the Gophers in points during conference play with 24 (12g, 12a) in 28 games played. The Gopher forward ranks second among all NCAA rookies in goals this season with 20 and is sixth in points with 36. Minnesota State's Bischoff recently set the program record for most goals by a rookie in a single season, as she now has 19 on the year. The 19 goals rank fourth among all NCAA rookies this season. Svensson competed for Team Sweden at the 2026 Winter Olympics and recorded 31 points (9g, 22a) in 20 conference games during her first season with the Buckeyes. Svensson is second in the NCAA amongst all rookies with her 49 total points (17g, 32a). 
 

2025-26 WCHA Outstanding Student-Athlete of the Year Finalists

Minnesota Duluth's Mary Kate O'Brien, Minnesota State's Lauren Zawoyski, and St. Thomas' Madison Brown are this year's finalists for the WCHA Outstanding Student-Athlete of the Year award. Each of this year's nominees was named to the WCHA All-Academic Team and earned the WCHA Scholar Athlete of the Year honor. Minnesota Duluth's O'Brien is a graduate student pursuing her Master of Business Administration, continuing her stellar academic record of success after completing a double major in Business Analytics and Marketing. The Mavericks' Zawoyski carries a 3.94/4.00 GPA, majoring in Environmental Science with a minor in Business Administration. Brown is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Biology, with medical school aspirations in mind, and has maintained a perfect 4.00 GPA during each of her five semesters at St. Thomas.  

2025-26 WCHA Coach of the Year Finalists

Minnesota State's Shari Dickerman, Ohio State's Nadine Muzerall, and Wisconsin's Mark Johnson are this year's finalists for the 2025-26 Coach of the Year accolade. Dickerman, who won gold with Team USA at the 2026 Winter Olympics as an assistant coach, guided the Mavericks to their first WCHA Final Faceoff appearance since 2009 and second in program history. Dickerman helped the Mavericks to 17 wins, setting a new Minnesota State program record. Ohio State's Muzerall led the Buckeyes to their fourth 30-win campaign in the last five seasons, as the Buckeyes currently sit at 32-4-0 overall on the year. The Buckeyes are also making their ninth straight semifinal appearance in the WCHA Final Faceoff. Johnson, who won the honor a season ago, led the Badgers to their 11th WCHA regular season championship title after finishing conference play with a 23-3-2 record. The Badgers are making their 26th appearance in the WCHA Final Faceoff.

 

For more information on the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, follow the league on X and Instagram @WCHA_WHockey, and online at wcha.com.