Gardiner, Jaques Voted Top-10 Finalists For Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award
3/2/2023 9:00:34 AM | Women's Ice Hockey
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COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio State women’s hockey players Jenn Gardiner and Sophie Jaques have been voted top-10 finalists for the 2023 Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award, the USA Hockey Foundation announced Thursday. This year marks the first time since 2002 that two Buckeyes have been named top-10 finalists for the prestigious award.
The Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award is the highest award in NCAA women’s hockey. The honor, in its 26th year, is presented annually to the top player in NCAA Division I women’s hockey. Selection criteria includes outstanding individual and team skills, sportsmanship, performance in the clutch, personal character, competitiveness and a love of hockey.
Jaques, who is a two-time WCHA Defender of the Year, is named a top-10 finalist for the award for the second consecutive season. She has continued to be one of the top blueliners in the country this season, recording 46 points to lead defensemen nationally. She has helped Ohio State to top-10 rankings in scoring defense (1.78) and team goals against average (1.76).
Jaques has helped the Buckeyes to a nation-leading .344 power play percentage with eight power play goals and 11 power play points on the year. She has 44 blocked shots this season as the team has allowed its opponents to an average of just 20.89 shots per game.
The Ohio State record holder for points by a defenseman, Jaques currently stands at 154 points on 59 goals and 95 assists and is one goal from tying the WCHA record for career goals by a defenseman. Jaques is second in league history in career points.
Outside of hockey, Jaques is on a fellowship to earn her master’s degree in civil engineering. The WCHA All-Academic Team and Scholar-Athlete honoree is also the vice president of the SHEROs organization on campus and a volunteer with 2nd & 7.
Gardiner is one of the top scoring forwards in the NCAA this season. She is fifth nationally in points and leads the team with 54 on the year. A finalist for the WCHA Forward of the Year award, she has recorded 21 goals and 33 assists so far this season. Gardiner ranks top-10 in the country in assists per game (.92) and points per game (1.50).
The Surrey, B.C. native’s career-high 54 points put her at third in the Ohio State record book for points in a single season. She has tallied 18 multi-points games on the year, including three multi-goal performances.
Gardiner leads the team with a plus-36 on the ice this year. On the Buckeyes’ top-ranked power play, she has recorded a team-high 13 points with four goals and nine assists.
Gardiner is a senior sport industry major is set to graduate in May. She is a 2022-23 WCHA All-Academic Team member and WCHA Scholar-Athlete. She also volunteers with the 2nd & 7 Foundation and has helped the Columbus Blue Jackets with their ‘Hockey For Her’ initiative.
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