University of Minnesota Athletics
Pair of Gophers Named to WCHA 25th Anniversary Top 25 Team
1/17/2024 2:05:00 PM | Women's Hockey
MINNEAPOLIS - University of Minnesota alumnae Amanda Kessel and Noora Raty have both been named to the Western Collegiate Hockey Association's Top 25 Team, announced by the WCHA on Wednesday.
Throughout the 2023-24 season, the WCHA is announcing members of the 25th Anniversary Top 25 Team in celebration of the conference's 25th season.
Kessel, a native of Madison, Wis., played for the 'U' for four seasons (2010-13, 16). In that span, she helped the Gophers win three national titles in 2012, 2013 and 2016. Kessel had a standout junior year in the 2012-13 season, being named the Patty Kazmaier Award winner and Bob Allen Women's Player of the Year. During that season, she led the nation in scoring with 101 points (46g, 55a) becoming just the fourth player in NCAA history with 100 points in a season.
In 126 career games for the Gophers, the two-time All-American ranks second in program history in points (248), fourth in points per game (1.97) and goals (108), sixth in goals per game (0.86), third in assists (140), fourth in assists per game (1.11), second in shorthanded goals (11), and fourth in plus/minus (+161). Kessel led the Gophers in points in each of her first three seasons on her way to being named All-WCHA in each season. As a freshman, Kessell was named WCHA Rookie of the Year. In her sophomore season, she was a top-10 finalist for the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award before earning the title as a junior.
On the national stage, Kessel is a three-time Olympian, winning gold with Team USA in 2018 and silver in 2014 and 2022. She has also represented the USA in five IIHF World Championships and four 4 Nations Cups. Kessel currently serves as the Special Assistant to the President of Hockey Operations and GM for the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Raty, a native of Espoo, Finland played for the Gophers for four seasons from 2009-13. In that span, she helped Minnesota win back-to-back National Championships in 2012 and 2013 and was named the NCAA Frozen Four Tournament MVP in both years. In the 2012-13 season, Raty posted a 38-0-0 record, setting the NCAA record for most goaltender wins and win percentage. A three-time Patty Kazmaier Award top-10 finalist, her 17 shutouts in 2012-13 also set a NCAA single season record.
In 139 career games in the Maroon and Gold, the three-time All-American currently ranks No. 1 in program history in goaltender wins (114), goaltender shutouts (43), goaltender saves (3250) and saves per game (23.38). Raty also ranks second in program history in save percentage (.946) and third in goals against average (1.34). The four-time All-WCHA honoree bookended her career with WCHA Goaltending Champion titles in 2009-10 and 2012-13 being named a first-team All-American in each of the two seasons.
On the national stage, Raty is a Finnish legend, goaltending for Finland's national team for more than a decade. With four Olympics and nine IIHF World Championships under her belt, Raty is arguably one of the best goalies in her generation. She has six bronze medals between the Olympics and World Championships and has been named best goalie at the World Championships a record five times.
Throughout the 2023-24 season, the WCHA is announcing members of the 25th Anniversary Top 25 Team in celebration of the conference's 25th season.
Kessel, a native of Madison, Wis., played for the 'U' for four seasons (2010-13, 16). In that span, she helped the Gophers win three national titles in 2012, 2013 and 2016. Kessel had a standout junior year in the 2012-13 season, being named the Patty Kazmaier Award winner and Bob Allen Women's Player of the Year. During that season, she led the nation in scoring with 101 points (46g, 55a) becoming just the fourth player in NCAA history with 100 points in a season.
In 126 career games for the Gophers, the two-time All-American ranks second in program history in points (248), fourth in points per game (1.97) and goals (108), sixth in goals per game (0.86), third in assists (140), fourth in assists per game (1.11), second in shorthanded goals (11), and fourth in plus/minus (+161). Kessel led the Gophers in points in each of her first three seasons on her way to being named All-WCHA in each season. As a freshman, Kessell was named WCHA Rookie of the Year. In her sophomore season, she was a top-10 finalist for the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award before earning the title as a junior.
On the national stage, Kessel is a three-time Olympian, winning gold with Team USA in 2018 and silver in 2014 and 2022. She has also represented the USA in five IIHF World Championships and four 4 Nations Cups. Kessel currently serves as the Special Assistant to the President of Hockey Operations and GM for the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Raty, a native of Espoo, Finland played for the Gophers for four seasons from 2009-13. In that span, she helped Minnesota win back-to-back National Championships in 2012 and 2013 and was named the NCAA Frozen Four Tournament MVP in both years. In the 2012-13 season, Raty posted a 38-0-0 record, setting the NCAA record for most goaltender wins and win percentage. A three-time Patty Kazmaier Award top-10 finalist, her 17 shutouts in 2012-13 also set a NCAA single season record.
In 139 career games in the Maroon and Gold, the three-time All-American currently ranks No. 1 in program history in goaltender wins (114), goaltender shutouts (43), goaltender saves (3250) and saves per game (23.38). Raty also ranks second in program history in save percentage (.946) and third in goals against average (1.34). The four-time All-WCHA honoree bookended her career with WCHA Goaltending Champion titles in 2009-10 and 2012-13 being named a first-team All-American in each of the two seasons.
On the national stage, Raty is a Finnish legend, goaltending for Finland's national team for more than a decade. With four Olympics and nine IIHF World Championships under her belt, Raty is arguably one of the best goalies in her generation. She has six bronze medals between the Olympics and World Championships and has been named best goalie at the World Championships a record five times.
Highlights: Gophers 11, Bemidji State 1
Saturday, January 17
Highlights: Gophers 5, Bemidji State 3
Friday, January 16
Play in Focus: Abbey Murphy Goes Viral
Wednesday, January 14
Highlights: Gophers 4, Minnesota State 3
Saturday, January 10