University of Minnesota Athletics
KENNEDY SELECTED AS KAZMAIER AWARD FINALIST
3/12/2001 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
Kennedy, the WCHA-Women's League Player of the Year, is the only defenseman among the finalists. She is joined by a pair of Harvard forwards: junior Jennifer Bottrill and senior Tammy Shewchuk. The Golden Gopher senior was also tabbed WCHA Women's League Defensive Player of the Year honors after leading the Gophers to the WCHA regular-season title and a conference-low 2.19 goals against average. The Woburn, Mass. native led all defensemen in the league in scoring with 41 points on 10 goals and 31 assists and tops the Gophers with a plus/minus rating of +39. Kennedy was a second-team All-WCHA selection last season.
"I'm so happy for Courtney because she has had a wonderful college career," said Minnesota head coach Laura Halldorson. "Courtney has always had a lot of talent, but she maximized her abilities this year by working extra hard last summer and throughout this season. We relied on her heavily at defense, especially after losing both Winny Brodt (to the U.S. National Team) and Bethany Petersen (to injury). She was a rock back there, and had the ability to dominate a game, both offensively and defensively.
"I am very proud of her and grateful she decided to become a Gopher. The only thing more impressive than her hockey ability is her personality. She has a great sense of humor and the uncanny ability to make people laugh. We will really miss having her around next year."
The Gophers won the WCHA regular-season title and owns a 23-9-2 record in the 2000-01 season. Minnesota awaits the NCAA's March 18th announcement of the field for the 2001 NCAA Inaugural Women's Frozen Four to be played in Mariucci Arena, March 23 and 25.
