Three Badgers earn WCHA Player of the Month awards in October

MADISON, Wis. – Three members of the No. 1 Wisconsin women’s hockey team garnered WCHA Player of the Month awards after leading the Badgers to an unblemished 10-0-0 start to the season. 

Casey O’Brien took home WCHA Forward of the Month honors for the second straight month, while Caroline Harvey was named the WCHA Defender of the Month and Ava McNaughton earned WCHA Goaltender of the Month honors. 

O’Brien led all WCHA players in points with 16 after posting five goals and 11 assists. 

The Milton, Mass., native O’Brien  at least one point in every game throughout the month of October, joining a special group of Badgers in women’s hockey history. She notched her 200th career point on the ice during this past month—becoming the sixth member of Wisconsin to reach that mark. 

Harvey earned WCHA Defender of the Month honors for the third time in her career after also recording a point in every game played this season. Harvey paced behind O’Brien in both points and assists, as they both sit at one and two in the WCHA ranks in each category. 

Harvey was awarded the WCHA Defender of the Week on two separate occasions to kick off the season—adding on to an illustrious career on the ice. She leads WCHA defenders in points with 14.

 McNaughton rounds out a star-studded group in awards, notching WCHA Goaltender of the Month honors after leading the league with eight wins over the course of October. McNaughton tallied three shutouts and finished the month with .948 save percentage, good for second in the WCHA. 

The sophomore earned four wins over ranked opponents in the process, too. McNaughton played a key role in helping the Badgers outscore their opponents 45-8 in eight games—continuing to find success in front of the net. 

Fans can catch O’Brien, Harvey, McNaughton and the rest of the Wisconsin women’s hockey program this weekend when they compete at No. 8 St. Cloud State this Friday and Saturday. After a weekend series at No. 2 Ohio State in a couple of weeks, the Badgers will be back at LaBahn Arena to face-off against St. Thomas (MN) on Nov. 22 and Nov. 23.