BOSTON – Suffolk women's hockey's captain Shana Cote was one of nine student-athletes announced as finalist for the American Hockey Coaches Association (AHCA) 2022 Laura Hurd Award, given annually to the best NCAA Division III women's ice hockey player in the country.
The nine players, who have distinguished themselves on the ice as finalist for the highest award in NCAA Division III Women's Ice Hockey, is an experienced group with one junior, seven seniors and one graduate student with eight forwards and one goaltender.
Sponsored by the AHCA, the Hurd Award honors the memory of former Elmire College standout Laura Hurd. A 2005 graduate of Elmira, and a four-time All-American, Hurd died in an automobile accident shortly after graduation. She was the recipient of the AHCA Player of the Year Award in 2005.
The 2022 Laura Hurd Aware winner will be unveiled Thursday, March 17.
Suffolk's top-line center enjoyed a successful senior season, resetting the Rams' single-season records in points (42), goals (22) and assists (20). She leads not only the team, but the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) the way in all offensive categories.
A native of Broomfield, Colorado, was named the inaugural CCC Player of the Year, and ranks in the top-10 in NCAA Division III in faceoff wins (ninth - 306), goals per game (third - 0.92), points per game (seventh - 1.72) and power play goals (second - 9).
The first-team All-CCC selection led Suffolk to its winningest season to date with a 19-6 overall record, upstaging the previous mark of 15 held by the inaugural team in 2018-19 (15-9-2). She helped the Rams earn the second seed in the first-ever CCC season with a 14-4-0 league ledger.
Cote currently sits at 94 points for her collegiate career in just 87 games played. The most decorated Ram in program history with five all-league honors, she is the first Ram to be selected as a Laura Hurd finalist. The 2022 Laura Hurd honoree will be announced Thursday, March 17.
2021-22 LAURA HURD AWARD AHCA WOMEN'S ICE HOCKEY COLLEGE DIVISION PLAYER OF THE YEAR FINALIST
Eliza Beaudin, Senior Forward – Elmira (NEHC Player of the Year)
Shana Cote, Senior Forward – Suffolk (CCC Player of the Year)
Callie Hoff, Senior Forward – Wisconsin River Falls (WIAC Player of the Year)
Annie Katonka, Senior Forward – Plattsburgh State (NEWHL Player of the Year)
Madie Leidt, Senior Forward – Middlebury (NESCAC Player of the Year)
Sophie Rausch, Junior Forward – Hamline (MIAC Co-Player of the Year)
Georgiana Santullo, Senior Forward – Utica (UCHC Player of the Year)
Brandi Wilson, Senior Forward – Trine University (NCHA Player of the Year)
Ary Ziakas, Senior Goaltender – St. Mary's (MIAC Co-Player of the Year)