University of Minnesota senior forward Taylor Heise has been named the 2022 Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award winner USA Hockey announced on Saturday morning on NHL Network. The award is annually presented to the top player in NCAA Division I women’s ice hockey.
Heise becomes the third player in program history to earn the prestigious award – joining Amanda Kessel (2013) and Krissy Wendell (2005). The right-handed forward finished her 2021-22 campaign as the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award winner, First Team All-American, WCHA Player of the Year, WCHA Offensive Player of the Year, and WCHA Scoring Champion. Heise also added three WCHA Forward of the Month honors (Nov., Jan., Feb.) and two HCA Player of the Month honors (Nov. and Feb.).
The Lake City, Minn., native, who was named a Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award finalist for the first time, became the first Minnesota WCHA scoring champion since Nicole Schammel in 2018-19 by tallying 46 points (18g-28a) in 28 conference games. Heise led the nation in regular season scoring with 60 points and 28 goals in a career year. Minnesota’s top-line center has surpassed the 100 and 150-career point and 50 career-goal milestones on her way to having the best offensive season by a Gopher since Dani Cameranesi (32g-34a) in 2015-16. Heise was no stranger to putting the puck on goal as she tallied the second most shots in a single season in program history (235). She also added five short-handed goals – tied for third most in a single season in program history.
“We are absolutely thrilled for Taylor, her family, teammates and our program,” said head coach Brad Frost. “She had a year that we will all remember and is very deserving of the Patty Kazmaier award. Taylor embodies what Patty was all about and we are so happy for her. To add her name to the likes of Wendell and Kessel, as past winners from the University of Minnesota, speaks volumes to the season that Taylor had.”
“I am beyond honored to receive such a prestigious award that means so much to women’s hockey,” said Heise. “I would like to thank my current coaches and teammates for always supporting me and making all my years at the University of Minnesota, especially this year, so amazing. To have my name put alongside so many talented women is an absolute honor.”
The selection process for this year’s Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award winner commenced in early February when NCAA Division I women’s ice hockey coaches were asked to nominate players for the award. Players who were nominated by multiple coaches were then placed on an official ballot, which was sent back to the coaches to vote for the top-10 finalists.
About the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award
An award of The USA Hockey Foundation, the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award is annually presented to the top player in NCAA Division I women’s ice hockey. Selection criteria includes outstanding individual and team skills, sportsmanship, performance in the clutch, personal character, competitiveness and a love of hockey. Consideration is also given to academic achievement and civic involvement.
About Patty Kazmaier
The Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award is named in honor of the late Patty Kazmaier, who was a four-year varsity letter-winner and All-Ivy League defender at Princeton University from 1981-86. An accomplished athlete who helped lead the Tigers to the Ivy League Championship in three consecutive seasons (1981-84), Patty Kazmaier-Sandt died Feb. 15, 1990, at the age of 28 following a long struggle with a rare blood disease.
(info and photo courtesy of Gopher Sports)