University of Minnesota Athletics
WHK: Darwitz and Wendell Honored by USA Hockey
5/27/2005 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
Darwitz finished her junior season with 42 goals and 72 assists for 114 points, breaking the NCAA record for points in a single season. The Patty Kazmaier Award finalist led the country in points per game (2.85) and assists (72) to lead the University of Minnesota to a second-straight national championship. The three time first-team All-American was named the Most Outstanding Player for her performance at the 2005 NCAA Frozen Four. Not only did Darwitz set the record for points in the NCAA tournament (3-6-9), she also scored the game-winning goal for the Gophers with one minute and eight seconds remaining in the contest. Darwitz, the Western Collegiate Hockey Association's Scoring Champion, tallied 72 points in conference action alone and was named a first-team All- WCHA selection for the third straight season. After three seasons, Darwitz holds the school record for career points with 246 in just 99 games played. After winning the national championship, Darwitz scored one of three goals to help the U.S. National Team win its first-ever world championship, defeating Team Canada in a shootout. A 2002 U.S. Olympian, Darwitz also played on the Four Nation's Cup team in November.
Wendell was named the Most Valuable Player at the International Ice Hockey Federation Women's World Championship this past April. Wendell led Team USA with four goals and nine points, helping them win their first-ever world championship gold medal. In the gold medal game, Wendell scored one of three U.S. goals in the shootout as they defeated the Canadians, 1-0. She also scored two short-handed goals in a single period as the U.S. Team defeated Finland, 8-1. Also playing on USA's Four Nations Cup team in November, Wendell also led the scoring charge, posting five goals in four games. The 2005 recipient of the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award, Wendell finished her junior campaign with 43 goals and 61 assists for 104 points. Wendell was named to the NCAA and WCHA All-Tournament Team. In postseason action, the three time All-American posted 17 points. Wendell, the 2004 and 2005 WCHA Player of the Year, scored an overtime power-play goal to help the Gophers to a 3-2 win over Wisconsin for the WCHA Tournament Championship. A 2002 U. S. Olympian, it is the second time Wendell has received the Bob Johnson award, earning it the first time in 2000.
