University of Minnesota Athletics
Five Players Invited to U.S. Hockey Festival
7/22/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Hockey
Marvin, a forward, was named the 2006 Western Collegiate Hockey Association's Rookie of the Year. In 41 games played, Marvin scored 16 goals and assisted on 30 for 46 points in her freshman season. She was a third-team All-WCHA selection and named to the WCHA All-Rookie Team, Marvin led the league in freshmen scoring and ranked second on the team in points. As a freshman, Marvin was named the WCHA Rookie of the Week five times. Marvin was also named to the 2006 WCHA All-Tournament Team after she tallied two assists.
McKenzie, a forward, had a stellar sophomore year with the Maroon and Gold as she led the team with 53 points. Scoring 40 points in WCHA competition, McKenzie was named the WCHA Scoring Champion and was a first-team All-WCHA honoree. McKenzie led the league in all three categories in goals (26), assists (22) and points (53). Along with leading the league, McKenzie scored eight game-winning goals, a nation high. McKenzie was a five-time WCHA Offensive Player of the Week honoree, including three times in the second semester of play. McKenzie also excelled in the classroom as she was named to the WCHA All-Academic Team.
Anya Miller, a defenseman, tied second among defensemen in scoring with three goals and 12 assists for 15 points. Of her 15 points, 10 came on the power play. In 39 games played, Miller held a plus/minus rating of +16. In the national semifinal game, Miller held a +2 rating in the 5-4 win over No. 1 New Hampshire to help the Gophers advance to the championship game. Miller was also named to the WCHA All-Academic Team and Academic All-Big Ten team.
Incoming freshman Kelli Blankenship attended North American Hockey Academy and scored a career high 33 goals and 39 assists for 72 points in 2005. She was named the NAHA Offensive Player of the Year and was the point leader for her team in 2004 and 2005. A known player in the USA Hockey realm, Blankenship was invited to the National Development Camp the past five years. Blankenship scored a goal and three assists to lead her team to the USA Hockey 17/18 Championship in 2005. Originally hailing from Florida, Blankenship competed with numerous teams, including the South Florida Golden Wolves Under-19 and the Florida Coyotes Under-15 teams.
Drazan finished her sophomore season at Minnesota Duluth before transferring to Minnesota in May. In her second season, Drazan had five goals and 14 assists for 19 points, a high among the Bulldog defensive corps last year. Of her five goals, the blueliner scored two power-play goals, one short-handed goal and one gamewinner to help UMD to a third-place finish in the WCHA. Entering her sophomore year, Drazan was one of three Bulldogs to be named to the WCHA All-Star Team, which faced the U.S. National Team in September of 2005. Due to WCHA transfer rules, Drazan will have to sit out a year before competing with Minnesota and will start her Gopher career in 2007-08.
