Olympic MVP Caroline Harvey named best player in college hockey

Caroline Harvey's list of accolades keeps growing.

The MVP of the Milano Cortina Olympic tournament was named the Patty Kazmaier Award winner on Saturday, March 21. The award recognizes the best player in women's college hockey, and Harvey is only the third defender to win it.

The Salem, New Hampshire native, is the seventh Wisconsin player to win and second in a row, following last year's winner Casey O'Brien.

Harvey beat out U.S. Olympic teammates Tessa Janecke of Penn State and Abbey Murphy of Minnesota for "the Kaz."

Harvey was a favorite to win the award. Despite being a defender, the Wisconsin senior ranks first in the nation with 1.40 assists per game and second with 1.97 points per game.

Harvey's 63 points in just 32 games — she missed eight games for the Olympics — was more than 20 points ahead of the next defender on the scoring list.

Harvey also has led the Badgers to the NCAA title game for a second year in a row. The defending champions will play Ohio State on Sunday.