AMESBURY, Mass. - The Hockey East Association and ECAC Hockey jointly announced today that Holy Cross’s Lulu Rourke (Wellesley, Mass.) has been honored as recipient of the 2025-26 Sarah Devens Award. Rourke was also honored as the Hockey East Academic Champion this year.
Presented annually to a player who demonstrates leadership and commitment both on and off the ice, the Devens Award is given as a joint honor between ECAC Hockey and Hockey East and aids a deserving student-athlete with a post-graduate scholarship of $15,000. The award is named in honor of former Dartmouth Big Green ice hockey player, Sarah Devens, who died in 1995 prior to her senior year.
“I am truly honored to be recognized as the recipient of this year’s Sarah Devens Award. I am inspired by the life that Sarah Devens led and all of her accomplishments as a multi-sport student-athlete, and I am deeply grateful to be recognized in connection with her legacy,” said Rourke. “This award motivates me to continue pushing myself both on and off the ice and to live my life in a way that positively influences those around me. I am especially grateful to Holy Cross, the coaching staff, all of my teammates and my incredible family for helping shape me into someone who strives to inspire others and represent the values that this award stands for.
Lastly, I would like to thank the Devens family for providing this gift every year. It is going to impact my postgraduate life so much, as I am sure it has for so many in the past.”
Rourke, a rising-senior forward, carries a 3.89 GPA at Holy Cross while double-majoring in Neuroscience and Chinese Language. She is also a visible presence throughout the Worcester community, working with the Junior Crusaders U8 girls hockey team, where she helps mentor and inspire young athletes. Additionally, Lulu tutors Chinese-speaking citizens at the Worcester Senior Center, helping them improve their English pronunciation and sharing valuable cultural insights.
On the ice, Rourke helped Holy Cross to a record-breaking season in 2025-26. Playing in all situations, including power plays and penalty kills, Rourke racked up career-highs in goals (7), assists (9), and points (16), and nearly doubled her previous best with 123 shots on goal. Her efforts pushed Holy Cross to a 19 wins, including 10 in league play and a fourth-place finish, all new records for the Crusaders during their Hockey East-era.
Past recipients of the award include: 1997 -- Kathryn Waldo (F), Northeastern; 1998 -- Sarah Hood (F), Dartmouth; 1999 -- Jamie Totten (D), Northeastern; 2000 -- Carrie Jokiel (F), New Hampshire; 2001 -- Christina Sorbara (F), Brown; 2002 -- Dianna Bell (F), Cornell; 2003 -- Rachel Barrie (G), St. Lawrence; 2004 -- Lindsay Charlebois (F), St. Lawrence; 2005 -- Nicole Corriero (F), Harvard; 2006 -- Karen Thatcher (F), Providence; 2007 -- Lindsay Williams (F), Clarkson; 2008 -- Lizzie Keady (F), Princeton; 2009; -- Marianna Locke (F), St. Lawrence; 2010 -- Laura Gersten (F), Rensselaer; 2011 -- Jackee Snikeris (G), Yale; 2012 -- Aleca Hughes (F), Yale; 2013 -- Alyssa Zupon (F), Yale; 2014 — Vanessa Gagnon (F), Clarkson; 2015 -- Chelsea Laden (G), Quinnipiac; 2016 — Alison Rolandelli (D), Brown; 2017 -- Paula Voorheis (G), Cornell; 2018 -- Taylor Willard (D), Vermont; 2019 -- Kenzie Lancaster (F), Quinnipiac; 2020 -- Sammy Davis (F), Boston U.; 2021 -- Grace Markey (F), Quinnipiac; 2022 -- Gianna Meloni (G), Yale; 2023 -- Carly Beniek (F), Holy Cross and Kate Reilly (D), Quinnipiac; 2024 -- Elle Hartje (F), Yale; 2025 -- Sarah Thompson (F), St. Lawrence.
