After posting statistics that lead the nation, Wisconsin's Cassie Hall and Nela Lopušanová are joined by Ohio State's Mira Jungåker and Minnesota Duluth's Ève Gascon in claiming the first set of Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) monthly honors of the 2026-27 season, presented by Sterling Trophy Awards & Engraving.
With a single weekend of regular season play in September, the first WCHA Monthly Awards of the season include combined statistics from September and October.
WCHA Forward of the Month
Cassie Hall, Sr., Wisconsin (South Lyon, Mich.)
An offensive force for the Badgers, Cassie Hall has recorded 21 points by 10 goals and 11 assists through the season's first 10 games. Her 21 points lead the NCAA, tied only with teammate Nela Lopušanová. Hall tallied a goal or more in nine of Wisconsin's first 10 games of the season, including an eight-game goal streak, a mark that ties for the second-longest scoring streak in program history. She not only found scoring opportunities, but created opportunities for others as well with 11 assists. Hall tallied a trio of apples in addition to a goal in the 12-1 victory over Minnesota State (Oct. 17) for a season-best four-point game.
The WCHA Forward of the Month title is the first of Hall's career, and third WCHA monthly honor overall after being named WCHA Rookie of the Month in Sept. 2023 and Jan. 2024.
Other Nominees: Adrianna Milani (Minnesota), Chloe Boreen (St. Thomas), Alice Sauriol (St. Cloud State), and Joy Dunne (Ohio State).
WCHA Defender of the Month
Mira Jungåker, Jr., Ohio State (Jönköping, Sweden)
Mira Jungåker leads Ohio State and all defenders nationally with 19 points through her first 10 games played. She is also the team and nation's assists leader with 17 helpers, while averaging 1.90 points per game, good for fourth nationally. The blueliner's 1.70 assists per game is also a mark that leads the NCAA. Jungåker has been a key piece in the Buckeye special teams, as she leads the team with eight points and seven assists on the power play, while also assisting on both of the Buckeyes' shorthanded goals. Jungåker has points in the last eight games she has played in for Ohio State and has five multi-point games this season. She scored a goal and assisted in the team's 2-1 win over then-ranked No. 1 Wisconsin in the series opener and added three assists in the 5-3 win in game two. She also recorded a season-high of four points in the 6-5 win at then-No. 3 Minnesota.
So far this season, Jungåker was a three-time WCHA Defender of the Week honoree (Oct. 5, Oct. 12, Oct. 19), while the monthly title is the first of her career.
Other Nominees: Sloane Hartmetz (Minnesota), Lola Macuiba (Bemidji State), JuliAnna Gazdik (St. Thomas), Laney Potter (Wisconsin), and Siiri Yrjölä (St. Cloud State).
WCHA Goaltender of the Month
Ève Gascon, Sr., Minnesota Duluth (Mascouche, Quebec)
Standing out between the pipes is Minnesota Duluth's Ève Gascon. The netminder leads the WCHA with a .982 save percentage, goals against average (0.40), and has posted four shutouts in her five games played. The senior has made Canada's World Championship roster and currently leads the NCAA in shutouts and with her mind-bending .982 save percentage. With her 24-save performance at Bemidji State (Oct. 17), Gascon became the Minnesota Duluth program record holder for career shutouts, and currently holds 25 in her play as a Bulldog.
Gascon has been a two-time WCHA Goaltender of the Week honoree so far this season, while the Goaltender of the Month title is the third of her career (Feb. 2026, Dec. 2024).
Other Nominee: Hannah Clark (Minnesota), Sophia Villanueva (Bemidji State), Dani Strom (St. Thomas), Ava McNaughton (Wisconsin), Emilia Kyrkkö (St. Cloud State), and Rowan Houweling (Ohio State).
WCHA Rookie of the Month
Nela Lopušanová, Fr., Wisconsin (Zilina, Slovakia)
Wisconsin's Nela Lopušanová settled into college hockey quickly, tallying an NCAA-leading 21 points by 10 goals and 11 assists, leading the nation along with teammate Cassie Hall through the first 10 games. Lopušanová doubled her goal total with her play against St. Cloud State (Oct. 31), as she became just the second Badger and second freshman in NCAA history to score five goals in a game. Six of her first 10 games have been multi-point performances as she proves to be a crucial part of the Badgers' offense.
Lopušanová earned two WCHA Rookie of the Week honors and one WCHA Forward of the Week title so far this season, leading to the first WCHA Monthly Award of her career.
Other Nominee: Adrianna Milani (Minnesota), Davina Davis (Bemidji State), Kenleigh Fischer (St. Thomas), Alexis Ehrman (St. Cloud State), and Rowan Houweling (Ohio State).
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.
2026-27 WCHA Players of the Month:
Sept./Oct. // Forward: Cassie Hall, Wisconsin; Defender: Mira Jungåker, Ohio State; Goaltender: Ève Gascon, Minnesota Duluth; Rookie: Nela Lopušanová, Wisconsin.