University of Minnesota Athletics
Raty and Kessel Receive Weekly Awards
1/12/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Hockey
The University of Minnesota women’s hockey team had two individuals receive weekly conference awards, announced today by the Western Collegiate Hockey Association. Noora Räty was named the WCHA Defensive Player of the Week, while Amanda Kessel was named the WCHA Rookie of the Week. The pair of honors marks their third awards of the year and Minnesota’s seventh and eighth of the season.
Räty returned from break and allowed just one goal in two games to help the host Golden Gophers to a conference series sweep over Minnesota State last weekend, is the WCHA Defensive Player of the Week for Jan. 12, 2011. Räty also earned the weekly honor on Oct. 27 (vs St. Cloud State) and on Nov. 24 (at Minnesota State). A sophomore from Espoo, Finland, Räty stopped 51 of 52 shots on goal in the 4-0 and 5-1 Minnesota victories for a .981 saves percentage, posted five shutout periods and helped blank the Mavericks on all 10 of their series power-play opportunities. She earned her seventh shutout of the season last Friday (Jan. 7) as she tossed aside 18 MSU shots on goal, tying her shutout record from her rookie campaign. Last Saturday, Räty made 33 more saves, with the only goal she allowed on the weekend coming when a Maverick shot on goal deflected off a Gopher skate. On the season, Räty ranks second in the WCHA with a 1.43 overall goals-against average, first with a .949 overall save percentage and is second with a 14-4-0 record.
Kessel, who scored two goals and assisted on another to help the Golden Gophers to a conference series sweep over visiting Minnesota State last weekend, is the WCHA Rookie of the Week for Jan. 12, 2011. Kessel was previously honored with the award on Oct. 6 (vs Clarkson) and Dec. 15 (vs Ohio State). A freshman from Madison, Wis., Kessel scored once in UM’s 4-0 victory over the Mavericks last Friday (Jan. 7) and fired nine shots on goal to earn No. 1 star of the game honors. Then in Saturday’s (Jan. 8) game, Kessel scored her team’s first goal of the game at 9:51 in the first period and set up the eventual game-winning goal at 14:28 in the first to earn No. 2 star accolades. On the season, Kessel leads her team in assists (15) and is tied for the lead in points (23).
Minnesota’s Players of the Week
WCHA Offensive Player of the Week
Oct. 27: Anne Schleper, Jr., D (@ SCSU)
WCHA Defensive Player of the Week
Oct. 27: Noora Räty, So., G (@ SCSU)
Nov. 24: Noora Räty, So., G (@ MSU)
Jan. 12: Noora Räty, So., G (vs MSU)
WCHA Rookie of the Week
Oct. 6: Amanda Kessel, Fr., F (vs Clarkson)
Dec. 7: Kelly Terry, Fr., F (@BSU)
Dec. 15: Amanda Kessel, Fr., F (vs OSU)
Jan. 12: Amanda Kessel, Fr., F (vs MSU)
