University of Minnesota Athletics
Players Mentioned
Gopher Captains Earn WCHA Weekly Honors
1/5/2026 2:01:00 PM | Women's Hockey
MINNEAPOLIS – Graduate forward Abbey Murphy and senior defender Nelli Laitinen of the No. 3-ranked University of Minnesota women's hockey team earned WCHA weekly honors, the conference announced Monday. Murphy was named WCHA Forward of the Week, while Laitinen received WCHA Defender of the Week recognition.
Murphy collected her third weekly honor of the 2025-26 season after totaling nine points (4g, 5a) during Minnesota's two-game sweep at Sacred Heart. The Evergreen Park, Ill., native recorded a goal and an assist in Friday's 4-0 victory before posting her third hat trick of the season on Saturday. Murphy's seven-point performance (3g, 4a) in the series finale tied the program's single-game scoring record, previously held by Sarah Potomak. With nine points on the weekend, Murphy moved into fourth place on Minnesota's all-time scoring list with 238 career points, surpassing Nadine Muzerall (235) and Krissy Wendell (237).
Laitinen earned her second career WCHA weekly honor after a six-point series (4g, 2a) against the Pioneers. The senior captain netted the game-winning goal in Friday's shutout before recording her first career hat trick on Saturday, adding two assists in the contest.
Together, the captains powered Minnesota to a program-record 14 goals in Saturday's victory, the most by the Gophers since a 12-goal performance against St. Cloud State in 2014. Murphy and Laitinen also became the first Minnesota teammates to record hat tricks in the same game since Rachael Bona and Kelly Pannek accomplished the feat in 2015 against St. Lawrence.
The standout weekend was capped by Olympic honors for both captains, as Murphy was named to Team USA's roster and Laitinen earned selection to Finland's national team for the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan, Italy. The upcoming Games will mark the second Olympic appearances for both skaters after competing at the 2022 Games in Beijing, where Murphy helped Team USA earn silver while Laitinen and Finland captured bronze.
Minnesota returns to WCHA play for its final two-game series of the regular season against Minnesota State. The Gophers travel to Mankato, Minn., for Friday night's matchup with puck drop set for 6:00 p.m. CT at the Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center, streaming live on B1G+. The series concludes Saturday at Ridder Arena with a 7:30 p.m. CT puck drop, broadcast live on Big Ten Network.
WCHA Players of the Week
Forward of the Week: Abbey Murphy, Gr. F, Minnesota
Defender of the Week: Nelli Laitinen, Sr. D, Minnesota
Goaltender of the Week: Hailey MacLeod, Sr. G, Ohio State
Rookie of the Week: Hilda Svensson, Fr. F, Ohio State