University of Minnesota Athletics
WOMEN'S HOCKEY PRESENTS TEAM AWARDS AT BANQUET
4/16/2001 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
Thomas, who moved from left wing to defense during the season, earned second-team All-WCHA Women's League honors in each of the last two seasons. She played in all 34 games in 2000-01, scoring 25 goals (second on the team) with 24 assists (third on team) for 49 points (second on team). Her four game-winning goals tied for the team lead.
Thomas was also honored with the team's Unsung Hero Award, given to the player who has made a large contribution to the success of the team - both on and off the ice - without getting much attention or publicity for her efforts.
Senior All-American Courtney Kennedy was voted by her teammates as the Gophers' MVP. In addition to earning the first All-America first-team honor in Minnesota women's hockey history, Kennedy was a finalist for the prestigious Kazmaier Award, honoring the women's collegiate player of the year, and was named the WCHA-Women's League Player of the Year. Playing at defense, Kennedy also captured the team's Plus/Minus Award with a team-best +39 plus/minus rating.
First-year Stefanie Snow was selected as the squad's Most Improved Player. Snow played in 27 games, scoring one goal and dishing out four assists from her defense position.
Junior Laura Slominski was honored with the GPA Award, given to the player with the highest grade point average over the last year. Slominski posted a 3.83 GPA, while majoring in psychology.
Slominski and junior Tracy Engstrom were named as team co-captains for the 2001-02 season. Engstrom will co-captain the Gophers for the second consecutive season.
The evening was capped off by a tribute to the nine Gopher seniors. This class will go down in Minnesota history as the one to start the winning tradition that is Gopher Women's Hockey. Eight of the nine seniors: Angela Borek, Emily Buchholz, Erica Killewald, Betsey Kukowski, Nadine Muzerall, Kelly Olson, Kris Scholz and Thomas; have seen the program from its opening night to the present. Scholz was recongnized for serving as a team captain for four years. Kennedy, transferred into the program her sophomore year.
