Performers who stepped up in championship play highlight the Hockey Commissioners Association monthly honors for March of 2024.
Women’s Co-Player of the Month: Cayla Barnes, Ohio State GR Defense (Eastvale, CA)
Barnes was a rock on defense for the Buckeyes and also set
up the only goal of the NCAA Championship Final. She was a
key part of the OSU defense that only allowed a single goal in
three NCAA games and she went 2-7-9 in production from the
blueline on the month. A First Team All WCHA performer, she
was named to the All Tournament Team for the NCAAs.
Women’s Co-Player of the Month: Tia Chan, UConn JR Goalie (Hamilton, ON)
Chan led UConn to its first HE regular season and tournament titles ever. She stopped all 38 shots in a 1-0 OT win in the Hockey East final. And stopped 48 of 49 in a tough 1-0 double OT loss to Minnesota Duluth in the NCAA Tournament. She had an NCAA best 0.79 in March, with a .969 save percentage.
Runner-Up:
Alexis Petford, SO F, Stonehill College
(Four goals in three post-season games, including NCAA’s)
Men’s Player of the Month: Cutter Gauthier, Boston College SO Forward (Scottsdale, AZ)
Gauthier had his second straight 16-point month for the HE champion Eagles. He went 8-8-16 in an 8-0 month, scored the GWG in both the HE semifinal and final and then went 2-3-5 in the NCAA Regionals in Providence. Hobey Hat Trick finalist.
Runners-Up:
Jackson Blake, SO F, North Dakota
(Eden Prairie, MN) (8 GP, 4-9-13, Hobey Hat Trick Finalist)
Dylan Duke, JR F, University of Michigan
(Strongsville, OH) (8 GP, 6-5-11, MOP in Missouri Regionals)
Gabriel Seger, SR F, Cornell
(Uppsala, Sweden) (8 GP, 3-7-10)
Women’s Rookie of the Month: Joy Dunne, Ohio State FR Forward (O’Fallon, MO)
In a month when she was named winner of the Julie Chu National Rookie of the Year, Dunne scored the only goal of the NCAA Championship Final, her 24th of the season. On the month, she went 6-4-10 and on the season, led all NCAA rookies with 24-18-42.
Runner-Up:
Emma Pais, FR F, Colgate
(London, ON) (6 GP, 3-2-5)
Men’s Rookie of the Month: Macklin Celebrini, Boston University FR Forward (Vancouver, BC)
Celebrini was second in the nation among all players with 16 points in just seven games, making his 2.29 points per game, an NCAA-best. Named MOP of the Sioux Falls regional. Also named a Hobey Hat Trick finalist.
Runner-Up:
Zeev Buium, FR D, Denver
(San Diego, CA) (10 GP, 2-9-11)
Women’s Goaltender of the Month: Raygan Kirk, Ohio State SR Goalie (Ste. Anne, MB)
Kirk was named the Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA Tournament for her phenomenal performance. In three NCAA games, she had two shutouts, including a 26-save 1-0 triumph over Wisconsin in the final. She stopped 59 of 60 shots in the tournament and on the month, had a 1.14 GAA and a save percentage of .934.
Runners-Up:
Kayle Osborne, SR G, Colgate
(Westport, ON) (4-1-0, 1.02, .951)
Gwyneth Philips, GR G, Northeastern
(Athens, OH) (2-1-0, .971, 0.90, 51 saves in 1-0 HE final loss)
Katie DeSa, SO G, Penn State
(Pawcatuck, CT) (1-1-0, 0.46, ,985, 1-0 win in CHA final)
Men’s Goaltender of the Month: Matt Davis, University of Denver JR Goalie (Calgary, AB)
MOP of the NCAA NE Regional where he won a pair of 2-1 games, one in 2 OTs. On the month, 9-1-0, 1.89 GAA and .931. save percentage.
Runners-Up:
Ian Shane, JR G, Cornell
(Manhattan Beach, CA) (6-2-0, 1.89, .926)
Jacob Fowler, FR G, Boston College
(Melbourne, FL) ( 7-0-0, 2.13, .929)