Patty Kaz 2010

[DC78-82]

Re: Patty Kaz 2010

Paton's an odd choice. Blais outperformed her in every category except power play points. Of course, Blais is a Bulldog. That never helps.

There are two ways to say something. One is derogatory, self-pitying, and ego-centric, and causes the reader to apply negative thoughts to either the topic or the writer. in this case, for me, the writer. How many times have you seen Paton play, interacted with her in the community, or even met her? What gives you authority to disqualify her as a candidate?

Blais is a top-notch forward and was as deserving . . . should be interesting to see them matched up on Saturday.

The other causes one to appreciate the comment, and give thoughtful regard to what has been said.

I have seen Blais play before, not just when the 'Dogs were at BC this year, but in years past, as our fates have crossed paths for at least a weekend in March for most of both her, and Paton's NCAA careers. I do agree that Blais and Paton are both top notch forwards, and that there may be very little separating the two.

I do not however hold any credence that Paton is an odd choice, and that her being chosen instead of Blais had anythins to do with the species of the school's mascot. Both have been top performers all year, and maybe they were so close that the committee saw something intangible that separated the two.

 

[Bergey1]

Re: Patty Kaz 2010

Great post DC. I'm all for discussion but I don't know what is accomplished by diminishing or putting down someone's accomplishments. All of the nominees this year were outstanding, so I don't think there would be an "odd" choice out of the bunch. Perhaps one vote separated one from the other, but who knows?

 

[Grim Reaper]

Re: Patty Kaz 2010

Where as I am extremely dissapointed that Blais did not make the top 3, she is a dynamic player and defiently deserved it, I cant find any good reasons to diminish the accomplishments of Paton . I am sure she too is well deserving.

There are always going to be those who disagree with the choices made.....i guess the saying goes....you can please everyone.
Good Luck to Paton, Bendus and Raty........

 

[JosephPSchmoe]

Re: Patty Kaz 2010

I'm all for discussion but I don't know what is accomplished by diminishing or putting down someone's accomplishments.

Relax. I didn't diminish or put down anybody's accomplishments. Paton had a standout year. But I think Blais had a better year. When Paton and UNH get to Duluth, we'll get to see both of them play and that can only be good for everybody.

 

[WildShawn]

Re: Patty Kaz 2010

Since I'm an eastern fan and haven't seen her play, is it strange that a player that wasn't even the player of the year or rookie of the year in her conference is one of the 3 finalists?

Just curious...

Congrats to the three finalists and best of luck (mostly to Paton though )

 

[freak]

Re: Patty Kaz 2010

Blais is a top-notch forward and was as deserving . . . should be interesting to see them matched up on Saturday.

FTR, I was not implying that Blais is not a top-notch forward. I was responding to the notion that Paton was an "odd" choice.

 

[DC78-82]

Re: Patty Kaz 2010

From the UNH site:
KELLY PATON NAMED A TOP 3 FINALIST FOR PATTY KAZMAIER MEMORIAL AWARD


COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Kelly Paton (Woodstock, Ontario), a senior forward and captain of the seventh-ranked University of New Hampshire women’s ice hockey team, is a Top 3 Finalist for the 2010 Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award as announced Tuesday by USA Hockey, the governing body of the award.

At last week's Hockey East banquet, Paton was honored as co-Player of the Year, First Team All-Star and Three Stars Award recipient.

"Kelly Paton has been the most outstanding and valuable player in the East this year," UNH head coach Brian McCloskey stated. "Offensively, she's been one of the nation's top point producers. Defensively, she is the best forward I've ever coached at UNH.

"An elite penalty killer and dynamic playmakers, Kelly has been a standout performer on both sides of our special teams this season," McCloskey added. "She's the number-one reason our special teams have been dominant all season long.

McCloskey went on to say that "Kelly Paton is an outstanding leader and captain who has quietly gone about being the most dominant player in Hockey East this year and, in my opinion, is the most valuable as well."



The Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award has been presented annually since 1998, when UNH’s Brandy Fisher won the inaugural award, to the most outstanding women’s ice hockey player in the nation. The award selection process began in early February, when NCAA Div. I women's ice hockey coaches nominated players for the Award. Those 45 players, which included UNH's Paton, Micaela Long (South Boston, Mass.) and Courtney Birchard (Mississauga, Ontario), were placed on an official ballot that was submitted to coaches to vote for the Top 10 Candidates.

Paton was named to the Top 10 on March 2, and then a 13-member committee comprised of Div. I coaches, representatives of the print and broadcast media, and a representative of USA Hockey selected the Top 3. Vicki Bendus (Mercyhurst College) and Noora Raty (University of Minnesota) are the other Finalists.

Paton, a senior forward and captain of the Wildcats, is ranked fifth in the nation in points per game (1.59) as well as fourth in assists per game (1.00) and 19th in goals per game (0.59); in other statistics, she is 16th in game-winning goals (four) and 17th in power-play goals (six). In 10 games vs. nationally-ranked teams, Paton has tallied 14 points (6g, 8a).

Paton completed Hockey East league play ranked second in points (32), assists (20) and power-play points (13) as well as third in goals (12).

Paton leads the team in points (51), goals (19) and plus/minus (+16) and is tied for the lead in game-winning goals with four. She is also second in assists (32) and tied for second in power-play goals (6). Furthermore, she is second in shots (122) and fourth in shooting percentage (.156).

She ended the regular season with a nine-game point-scoring streak in which she recorded 16 points (six goals, 10 assists). Paton opened the 2010 season with a 12-game point-scoring streak that included a stretch of seven consecutive games with an assist. She has tallied a point in 27 of 32 games with 12 multiple-point efforts.



Paton, an exercise science major, is a 2009 Hockey East All-Academic Team selection who has made Dean’s List three semesters. Her other 2010 accolades include three Hockey East Player of the Month awards and three Hockey East Pure Hockey Player of the Week honors.



 

[ARM]

Re: Patty Kaz 2010

Since I'm an eastern fan and haven't seen her play, is it strange that a player that wasn't even the player of the year or rookie of the year in her conference is one of the 3 finalists?

Probably, but most would agree that the WCHA awards this season were precedent setting if not strange. Neither of the Co-players of the Year nor the Rookie of the Year made First-Team All Conference. That suggests to me that voters had differing ideas of how to regard all the factors in play such as games lost due to national team commitments, strength of team, traditional methods of filling certain categories, frosh vs non-rookie, and skater vs goalie.

For example, the league has a Defensive Player of the Year award, as well as a Defensive Player of the Week. Goalies routinely win the weekly award, while from memory, the annual award goes only to D. Last year, Melanie Gagnon of Minnesota won it, and Jessie Vetter won no WCHA yearly award beyond 1st Team All WCHA despite winning the Kaz.

Frankly, I was surprised that she made the Kaz Top 3 not because her season wasn't deserving, but because the Kazmaier voters had to sort through the same complicated comparisons with a wider variety of players involved.

 

[WildShawn]

Re: Patty Kaz 2010

Probably, but most would agree that the WCHA awards this season were precedent setting if not strange. Neither of the Co-players of the Year nor the Rookie of the Year made First-Team All Conference. That suggests to me that voters had differing ideas of how to regard all the factors in play such as games lost due to national team commitments, strength of team, traditional methods of filling certain categories, frosh vs non-rookie, and skater vs goalie.

For example, the league has a Defensive Player of the Year award, as well as a Defensive Player of the Week. Goalies routinely win the weekly award, while from memory, the annual award goes only to D. Last year, Melanie Gagnon of Minnesota won it, and Jessie Vetter won no WCHA yearly award beyond 1st Team All WCHA despite winning the Kaz.

Frankly, I was surprised that she made the Kaz Top 3 not because her season wasn't deserving, but because the Kazmaier voters had to sort through the same complicated comparisons with a wider variety of players involved.

Thanks for your response, that makes sense, I didnt' realize that about Vetter last year, and she was certainly worthy of the nod..

 

[sfhockey]

Re: Patty Kaz 2010

Kelly Paton odd choice? That could be the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. To be honest Kelly Paton has been extremely underrated for the last three years. She is the smartest forward I ever seen play the game in college hockey. Not only is she amazing offensively because of her quick and crafty play, but she is also so smart and efficient in the defensive zone. Now Blais is a great player don't get me wrong, but if you know the game of hockey you would know that Kelly is that much better because of her vision of the game. The only odd thing I see is how she should have gotten more recognition in the previous three years. Good luck to all three great players.

 

[dave1381]

Re: Patty Kaz 2010

Frankly, I was surprised that she made the Kaz Top 3 not because her season wasn't deserving, but because the Kazmaier voters had to sort through the same complicated comparisons with a wider variety of players involved.

A few key points --

Olympics represented a larger share of the WCHA schedule than it did of Minnesota's national schedule.

This may sound somewhat ironic given the award criteria, but stats are probably a better predictor of Kaz voting than conference voting simply because in conference voting, teams have much better firsthand knowledge of players.

The Kaz voting to some degree can reflect just who is on the committee, if the committee happened to be full of teams with coaches who did stymied by Raty, that could've played a big role in the outcome.

 

[5 4 Fighting]

Re: Patty Kaz 2010

Two Canadians and a Finn...Hmmmm.

 

[RStarr]

Re: Patty Kaz 2010

Two Canadians and a Finn...Hmmmm.

The choice is obvious...

 

[zoofer]

Re: Patty Kaz 2010

The choice IS obvious....senior forward out of Woodstock, Ontario..Kelly Paton. well said sfhockey.....she is simply the most fun to watch on the ice...she is so smart....so crafty....using her size to the max...I always loved watching her play against Erica Lawler.....2 very talented women....

 

[Trillium]

Re: Patty Kaz 2010

Two Canadians and a Finn...Hmmmm.

And the 2 Canadians are both Ontarians from the PWHL.

Given that Raty is still a rookie as well as a goalie, I would think the edge might go to the others. Having watched both Paton and Bendus play for several years, I would personally give the nod to Bendus. She stands out in my mind most in being able to control the game on her own when needed more consistently, as well as having a real knack for making those around her that much better.

 

[OnMAA]

Re: Patty Kaz 2010

The choice is obvious...

Cute with the stars and all, but my vote goes to the mini mo from Clearview/Aurora.

 

[RStarr]

Re: Patty Kaz 2010

Cute with the stars and all, but my vote goes to the mini mo from Clearview/Aurora.

they're snowflakes

 

[Travelingman]

Re: Patty Kaz 2010

My vote goes to Paton. Yes, a big UNH fan I am but it just makes the most sense. Raty is a great goalie but a frosh and a goalie won last year.
So it comes down to Bendus and Paton. Bendus has a much bigger supporting cast than Paton does. 5 Players from MH in top 20 in scoring with only 2 from UNH. MH has 162 goals for with 55 against and NH has 98 for with 64 against.

Paton had a part in over half of the goals scored at UNH this year. MH does not have the competition in league that UNH does. That being said what Paton did on a team with only one other team member in the top 20 and considering the supporting cast when you look at the numbers not even mentioning Patons incredible ability as a defensive forward. The Patty goes to Patty!!

On a personal note (I don't know Bendus). Kelly is a very special young lady who may stand 5 feet tall but has the heart of a giant and plays like she is 6 feet tall.

 

[ARM]

Re: Patty Kaz 2010

Raty is a great goalie but a frosh and a goalie won last year.

If there isn't a rule excluding a teammate of the previous year's winner -- based on Harvard's success, it's safe to say there isn't -- then neither should the position of last season's winner be a factor.

MH does not have the competition in league that UNH does.

KRACH ranks Mercyhurst's schedule as ninth toughest; UNH played the 16th toughest schedule.

Just say Paton is a great player, she would be a very deserving recipient, and don't try to eliminate anyone else.

 

[LakersFan]

Re: Patty Kaz 2010

I am slightly confused. What implied effect is there to having high scoring teammates in terms of determining the winner of the Paty Kaz award?

Most goals have two assists. Therefore, if a forward is leading the country in points, it would make sense that the players who play on the same line with that player will have a similar number of points. Bendus scores goals (turned into quite the sniper while Agosta was off earning gold) at the same time setting up her teammates. If a player was in the top 20 by herself, I am sure the argument would be that she doesn't make her teammates better. Therefore, what is the "optimal" number of teammates in the top 20?

Mercyhurst has two scoring lines. They are a very good team that is very deep. Should Bendus be penalized because people who play on a different line can also score?

Also, what is the "optimal" percentage of a team's goals should the ideal Patty Kaz winner be involved with? I have also seen this thrown out as a statistic, not really knowing what number I should be comparing it with.

By the way, there have been a couple of references to Paton's height, who (according to the team's websites 5'1") is the same height as Bendus. Räty could be 6'11" and this would still be the shortest Paty Kaz final three in history. Since Räty is 5'4", I think we have record that will never be broken.