AUS Women’s Hockey Mid-season Awards
Photo credit Eduardo Ibarra
There are several remarkable storyline to take note of in AUS Women’s hockey so far this season. From the budding rivalry at the top of the standings between STFX and UNB, to a narrow race for playoff qualification, and so much more. At the unofficial mid-way point in the season, we wonder who, if the season ended today, would be taking home the hardware in AUS Women’s hockey?
MVP: Payton Hargreaves — UNB Reds
Hargreaves is second in the AUS in points, tallying up an impressive 9 goals and 9 assists through 17 games on a UNB team tied for 1st place in the AUS standings. Hargreaves' production ranks her 6th in points nationally, as she anchors the conference’s second-best offence. Hargreaves' impact on UNB’s offence is particularly evident on the power play, where the Reds lead the AUS. This is a Reds team that won three straight AUS championships before being stripped of their conference supremacy by STFX last season. The way things have looked so far this season, it wouldn't surprise anyone if those two teams were the last standing once again, and Hargreaves will play a huge part in UNB’s bid to take back conference supremacy next month in Antigonish.
Honorable Mentions: Leah MacSween (Dalhousie), Lainey Joyce (StFX), Katelyn Scott (UNB)
COTY: Ben Berthiaume — StFX X-Women
StFX is tied for first in the conference while leading AUS in goal differential. The X-Women play with structure, pace, and consistency, consistently demonstrating elements of elite coaching on a nightly basis. Berthiaume has maximized roster depth, rolled lines confidently, and maintained consistent results against the AUS’s best teams. This was highlighted in StFX’s impressive 5-1 win over an excellent UNB team on November 14th. The X-women have won 5 straight, winners of 9 of their last 10, and will look to ride their momentum into the AUS championships on home soil next month.
Honorable Mentions: Peter Murphy (St Thomas), Sarah Hilworth (UNB)
DPOTY: Lainey Joyce - StFX X-Women
Joyce has been excellent for the X-women this season. She leads the AUS with a +18 goal differential, which places her 3rd nationally on a league-leading StFX squad. Joyce even leads her team in points so far this season with an impressive 4 goals and 9 assists. The 3rd year from Vancouver, BC will be sure to play a huge part in StFX’s attempt to win back-to-back AUS championships for the first time in exactly 20 years, since the 2005-06 AUS seasons.
Honorable Mentions: Amber Daley (St Thomas) , Avery Thurston (UNB)
Goaltender of the Year: Katie Sweeney - St Thomas
Katie Sweeney has been phenomenal for this Tommies team this season, leading the AUS by a wide margin with a staggering 96% save percentage, the fewest goals against average, and the highest win percentage amongst goaltenders on a St Thomas team that prides itself on their defensive tenacity. This is a St. Thomas team that has slowly been making a case for a dark horse contender this season, winning 7 of their last 8 games on their way to the 3 seed in the conference. The Tommies may be the smallest school in the AUS, but they have big dreams and will lean on their remarkable defence in their attempts to capture their second AUS banner in program history next month.
Honorable Mentions: Grace Beer (Dalhousie), Annick Boudreau (Monton)
Rookie of the Year: Keira Grant - UNB Reds
Keira Grant has been the most productive true first-year player in AUS women’s hockey this season. She’s adjusted quickly to the pace and physicality of U Sports hockey, and she’s done so on a team tied for first place, contributing tangible offence on a consistent basis. Her point production, usage in meaningful situations, and ability to generate chances within UNB’s high-tempo system separate Grant for our mid-season rookie of the year selection.
Honorable Mentions: Toby Graham (StFX), Savannah Hicks (UPEI)
