Music: {allcanada} Wickenheiser wins top university hockey award

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

{allcanada} Wickenheiser wins top university hockey award

University of Calgary Dinos forward Hayley Wickenheiser was named Canada West women's hockey player of the year Wednesday.

She finished tied for the conference lead with 40 points this season despite playing in just 15 of 24 games due to injury and national team commitments.

Wickenheiser, of Shaunavon, Sask., led Canada West with 17 goals and a plus-22 rating.

"Hayley was a great addition to our team, raising the level and intensity for our players," head coach Danielle Goyette said in a release.

Also Wednesday, Dinos teammate Jenna Smith was named rookie of the year, Megan Bach of the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns was named top student-athlete and Howie Draper of the University of Alberta Pandas was named coach of the year.

The national Canadian University Sport awards will be handed out March 10-13 in Waterloo, Ont.

Wickenheiser, who is studying kinesiology and plans to attend medical school, captained Canada to an Olympic gold medal last year.