League announces pro ambitions all-rookie team honorees
League announces pro ambitions all-rookie team honorees
March 6, 2013
LEAGUE ANNOUNCES PRO AMBITIONS ALL-ROOKIE TEAM HONOREES
~ Conference tabs six more student-athletes with honors ~
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Molly Illikainen, Sarah Lefort and Haley Skarupa were all unanimous All-Rookie team selections
WAKEFIELD, Mass. - The Women's Hockey East Association announced on Wednesday its Pro Ambitions All-Rookie Team for the 2012-2013 season, as voted on by the league's eight head coaches, which will be presented at the 11th annual Hockey East Awards Banquet on Friday night in Hyannis, Mass. to kickoff the league's Championship weekend at the Hyannis Youth and Community Center at Lt. Joseph P. Kennedy Rink.
The team was highlighted by three unanimous selections, which included Boston College forward Haley Skarupa (Rockville, Md.), Boston University forward Sarah Lefort (Ormstown, Que.) and Providence College's Molly Illikainen (Grand Rapids, Minn.). Defenseman Lexi Bender (Snohomish, Wash.) and forward Dana Trivigno (Setauket, N.Y.) were also among the honorees for the Eagles. New Hampshire blueliner Alexis Crossley (Cole Harbour, N.S.) was the final selection to the All-Rookie squad.
Skarupa set a rookie record with 37 points (15g,22a) in league play in 18 games, breaking Kelli Stack's record of 34 set back in the 2005-06 season. Her point total was third best overall among conference skaters in league action and she averaged 2.06 per per game in conference play and one of three players in the league to accomplish that feat this season. Lefort finished eighth overall in conference play in scoring with 28 points in 21 games. Her 14 goals was tied with teammate Jenelle Kohanchuk for the fifth best overall league total. She ranked second among rookie scorers and first-year goal scoring. Illikainen recorded 19 points in 20 league games for the Friars was third best among WHEA first -year players. She recorded at least one point in 12 of 20 league contests.
Boston University senior forward Jill Cardella (Rochester, N.Y.) was honored with the Sportsmanship Award for her clean play on the ice. Cardella logged only eight penalty minutes in league play, to go along with 16 points (1g,15a) in all 21 league contests for the Terriers. Vermont senior forward Erin Wente (Scottsdale, Ariz.) was named the Gladiator Best Defensive Forward for her efforts during the season for the Catamounts, posting 10 points (5g,5a) in 21 league games with an even plus/minus rating.
Boston College senior forward Blake Bolden (Stow, Ohio) was named the league's fourth recipient of the Best Defenseman Award. Bolden led all defenders with 19 points (4g,15a) in 21 conference contests. Her +27 plus/minus rating was fifth best among league skaters.
Eagles sophomore forward Alex Carpenter (North Reading, Mass.) earned the Turfer Athletic Scoring Champion distinction with a league-record 48 points (25g,23a) in conference play this season, edging out Northeastern's Kendall Coyne, who finished with 43 points. Coyne also took home the Army ROTC Three Stars Award after being named a Star of the Game 14 times, including the First Star on seven occasions this season for the Huskies.
Corinne Boyles (Wheaton, Ill.), a senior goaltender from Boston College, earned the Hockey East Goaltending Champion Award. She finished with a league-leading 1.81 GAA and her .912 save percentage was third among WHEA goaltenders. Her 12 victories finished second in league play.
The Women's Hockey East Association is an eight-team, Division-I college hockey conference which began play in 2002-2003, with offices based in Wakefield, Mass. The league also sponsors an 10 team men's league which began play in 1984-1985
