Seven players who have distinguished themselves on the ice in 2025-26 have been named finalists for the 2026 Laura Hurd Award, given annually to the best NCAA Division III women’s ice hockey player in the country. The finalists, six of whom will play in the NCAA Quarterfinal Round this weekend, were selected by the nation's Division III head coaches in a preliminary vote held earlier this week.
Sponsored by the American Hockey Coaches Association, the Hurd Award honors the memory of former Elmira 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 recipient of this year's Hurd Award will be announced during the NCAA Frozen Four next week.
Finalists for the 2025-26 Laura Hurd Award AHCA Women’s Ice Hockey Division III Player of the Year
Haylee Bouchard, JR F, Wilkes (Sioux Lookout, ON) - The MAC Player of the Year leads the Colonels into an NCAA quarterfinal meeting with Nazareth on Saturday. Bouchard has 17-36-53 in 27 games for Wilkes (25-1-1).
Megan Goodreau, SR F, UW-River Falls (Lino Lakes, MN)- Goodreau has been phenomenal for the 27-1-0 Falcons, compiling 36-38-74 in 28 games. #1 UWRF hosts Williams in an NCAA quarrterfinal on Saturday. Goodreau was WIAC Player of the Year.
Sophia Hess, FR F, UW-River Falls (Cold Spring, MN) - Hess had quite an inaugural college hockey campaign as she went 26-30-56 for coach Joe Cranston. Hess won WIAC Newcomer of the Year and was a first team All-WIAC selection.
Riley Johnson, SR F, Adrian College (Farmington, MIL) - Riley Johnson was NCHA Co-Player of the Year this season with 23-31-54 in 28 games. A 200-foot player, she also boasts a +45 in her +/- column.
Amy Laskowski, SO F, Nazareth University (Clarendon Hills, IL) - Laskowski was the UCHC Player of the Year (25-24-49 in 27 games) after being Co-Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year in 2024-25. She is poised to help the Golden Flyers bounce back from their first loss of the season in the UCHC Final to Elmira. Nazareth hosts Wilkes on Saturday.
Erin Pye, SR G, Williams College (Third Lake, IL) - The NESCAC Player of the Year will be tested in Saturday's game at #1 UWRF. But her 2025-26 numbers show her to be up to the task: 1.20 GAA, .965 GAA, and a 15-5-4 record.
Natalie Stott, SR G, Amherst College (Franklin, MA) - Stott has been an AHCA First Team All-American in each of her three completed seasons and is looking to make it four straight. She led the NESCAC with a 0.63 GAA, .973 save percentage and 12 shutouts.
| Past Winners of the Laura Hurd Award |
| 2000 |
Sylvia Ryan |
Middlebury |
Forward |
| 2001 |
Michelle Labbe |
Middlebury |
Forward |
| 2002 |
Sarah Moe |
Gustavus Adolphus |
Forward |
| 2003 |
Angela Kapus |
Middlebury |
Forward/Defense |
| 2004 |
Molly Wasserman |
Williams |
Forward |
| 2005 |
Laura Hurd |
Elmira |
Forward |
| 2006 |
Emily Quizon |
Middlebury |
Forward |
| 2007 |
Andrea Peterson |
Gustavus Adolphus |
Defense |
| 2008 |
Danielle Blanchard |
Plattsburgh |
Forward |
| 2009 |
Kayla Coady |
Elmira |
Forward |
| 2010 |
Isabel Iwachiw |
Trinity |
Goaltender |
| 2011 |
Sarah Dagg |
RIT |
Forward |
| 2012 |
Julie Fortier |
Norwich |
Forward |
| 2013 |
Teal Gove |
Plattsburgh |
Forward |
| 2014 |
Sydney Aveson |
Plattsburgh |
Goaltender |
| 2015 |
Ashley Ryan |
Elmira |
Forward |
| 2016 |
Michelle Greeneway |
Lake Forest |
Forward |
| 2017 |
Dani Sibley |
UW-River Falls |
Forward |
| 2018 |
Melissa Sheeran |
Plattsburgh |
Forward |
| 2019 |
Bre Simon |
Hamline |
Forward |
| 2020 |
Amanda Conway |
Norwich |
Forward |
| 2021 |
Not Awarded |
| 2022 |
Callie Hoff |
UW-River Falls |
Forward |
| 2023 |
Darci Matson |
Aurora |
Forward |
| 2024 |
Maddie McCollins |
UW-River Falls |
Forward |
| 2025 |
Baylee Olson |
UW-River Falls |
Forward |
