New Hampshire Wildcats women's ice hockey
Introduction The New Hampshire Wildcats represent the University of New Hampshire. They have won five ECAC championships between 1986 and 1996.When the Wildcats joined Hockey East, they won four Hockey East titles from 2006 to 2009.The Wildcats have more wins than any other women's ice hockey program at 668 in its first 32 years. The Wildcats went undefeated in their initial 74 games (73-0-1) spanning the 1978 through 1982 seasons. A UNH goaltender has been declared Hockey East Goaltending Champion in the first six years of the league's existence. From 2007 to 2009, UNH hosted NCAA Tournament Regional home games.
Season-by-season results '''Won Championship''''''Lost Championship''''''Conference Champions''''''League Leader''' '''Year'''   '''Coach'''  '''W'''  '''L'''  '''T'''  '''Conference'''  '''Conf. W'''  '''Conf. L'''  '''Conf. T'''  '''Finish'''  '''Conference Tournament'''  '''NCAA Tournament'''2022-23Hilary Witt12213Hockey East91538th HE'''Won''' First Round vs. Holy Cross '''Lost''' Quarterfinals vs. Vermont Did not qualify2021-22  Hilary Witt   11  21  2 Hockey East   9  16  1  8th HE '''Lost''' First Round vs. Merrimack Did not qualify2020-21  Hilary Witt  7  14  1  Hockey East  6  13  1  8th HE'''Lost''' Quarterfinals vs. Northeastern Did not qualify2019-20 Hilary Witt  18  15 4  Hockey East  12  12  36th HE '''Won''' Quarterfinals vs. Providence '''Lost''' Semifinals vs.  UConn  Did not qualify2018-19  Hilary Witt  13  17  6  Hockey East  10  14  3  6th HE  '''Lost''' Quarterfinals vs. Boston University   Did not qualify2017-18  Hilary Witt  14  15  7  Hockey East  9  10  5  5th HE  '''Lost''' Quarterfinals vs. Northeastern   Did not qualify2016-17  Hilary Witt  14  19  2  Hockey East  11  11  2  6th HE  '''Lost''' Quarterfinals vs. Boston University   Did not qualify2015-16  Hilary Witt  11  21  4  Hockey East  8  16  0  5th HE  '''Lost''' Quarterfinals vs. Connecticut   Did not qualify2014-15  Hilary Witt  10  23  3  Hockey East  6  13  2  6th HE  '''Lost''' Quarterfinals vs. Northeastern   Did not qualify2013-14  Brian McCloskey  9  23 2  Hockey East  4  15  2  8th HE  '''Lost''' Quarterfinals vs. Boston College   Did not qualify2012-13  Brian McCloskey  14  16  4  Hockey East  10  8  3  4th HE  '''Lost''' Quarterfinals vs. Providence   Did not qualify2011-12  Brian McCloskey  10  22  3  Hockey East  4  15  2  6th HE  '''Lost''' Quarterfinals vs. Boston University   Did not qualify2010-11  Brian McCloskey  14  16  2  Hockey East  7  13  1  7th HE  Did not qualify  Did not qualify2009-10  Brian McCloskey  19  9  5  Hockey East  13  6  2  2nd HE  '''Lost''' Semifinals vs. Boston University   '''Lost''' First Round vs. Minnesota-Duluth 2008-09  Brian McCloskey  24  6  5  Hockey East  15  2  4  1st HE  '''Won''' Semifinals vs. Providence   '''Won''' Championship vs. Boston College   '''Lost''' First Round vs. Minnesota-Duluth 2007-08  Brian McCloskey  33  4  1  Hockey East  20  1  0  1st HE  '''Won''' Semifinals vs. Boston University   '''Won''' Championship vs. Providence   '''Lost''' First Round vs. Minnesota-Duluth 2006-07  Brian McCloskey  28  4  5  Hockey East  18  1  2  1st HE  '''Won''' Semifinals vs. Connecticut   '''Won''' Championship vs. Providence   '''Lost''' First Round vs. St. Lawrence  2005-06 Brian McCloskey  33  3  1  Hockey East  19  1  1  1st HE  '''Won''' Semifinals vs. Maine   '''Won''' Championship vs. Boston College   '''Won''' First Round vs. Harvard   '''Lost''' Frozen Four vs. Minnesota  2004-05  Brian McCloskey  21  8  6  Hockey East  13  3  4  1st HE  '''Lost''' Semifinals vs. Connecticut   Did not qualify 2003-04  Brian McCloskey  23  9  4  Hockey East  17  1  2  1st HE  '''Won''' Semifinals vs. Northeastern   '''Lost''' Championship vs. Providence   Did not qualify 2002-03  Brian McCloskey  27  7  2  Hockey East  13  2  0  2nd HE  '''Won''' Semifinals vs. Maine   '''Lost''' Championship vs. Providence   Did not qualify2001-02  Karen Kay  19  12  5  ECAC Eastern  11  6  4  3rd ECAC E.  '''Won''' Quarterfinals vs. Connecticut   '''Lost''' Semifinals vs. Northeastern   Did not qualify2000-01  Karen Kay  17  17  0  ECAC  13  11  0  6th ECAC  '''Lost''' Quarterfinals vs. St. Lawrence   Did not qualify1999-00    Karen Kay  24  10  0  ECAC  17  7  0  4th ECAC  '''Lost''' Quarterfinals vs. Northeastern   Did not qualify1998-99    Karen Kay  23  7  5  ECAC  19  4  3  2nd ECAC  '''Won''' Quarterfinals vs. Princeton   '''Won''' Semifinals vs. Brown   '''Lost''' Championship vs. Harvard   Did not qualify1997-98   Karen Kay  31  5  3         1996-97    Karen Kay 23  9  3         1995-96    Karen Kay 24  5  2         1994-95    Karen Kay 23  10  2         1993-94    Karen Kay 14  10  3        1992-93    Karen Kay 17  5  2        1991-92 Russ McCurdy  15  6  2        1990-91Russ McCurdy   19  3  0         1989-90  Russ McCurdy 20  3  1         1988-89  Russ McCurdy 16  6  0        1987-88  Russ McCurdy 15  5  1         1986-87  Russ McCurdy 18  1  3         1985-86  Russ McCurdy 18  3  1         1984-85  Russ McCurdy 18  3  0         1983-84 Russ McCurdy  16  4  0         1982-83  Russ McCurdy 19  1  0         1981-82  Russ McCurdy 18  1  1         1980-81  Russ McCurdy 21  0  0         1979-80  Russ McCurdy 20  0  0         1978-79  Russ McCurdy 16  0  1         1977-78  Russ McCurdy 15  0  0         ===History===The Wildcats competed in the first AWCHA Division I National Ice Hockey Championship. Contested in March 1998, the Wildcats defeated the Brown Bears by a 4-1 score, to become the first recognized national champion in women's college ice hockey. On January 15, 2000, Carisa Zaban recorded her second straight hat trick (including her 100th career goal), while Samantha Holmes scored one goal and five assists. The Wildcats defeated Northeastern by a score of 9-1.===2006 to 2008===From 2005-06 to 2007-08, the Wildcats set school records with 33 wins in 2006 and 2008.The 2006 team broke seven team and three individual UNH records as well as four team and one individual NCAA records, and 14 team and five individual Hockey East records. In addition, the club had its first perfect season at the Whittemore Center in 2006 (17-0-0).In 2006-07, the club was ranked No. 1 in the nation during the 2007 season (ended at No. 4). The club's 28 wins in 2007 ranks fourth on program's single-season list.The following year, in 2007-08, New Hampshire was ranked No. 1 in the nation for eight weeks. The Wildcats ended the year #1 in the nation in penalty kill, #2 in offense, #2 in defense and #2 in power play. The 2008 Wildcats broke six Hockey East team records and tied two others en route to the league's first undefeated season. During the 2007-08 season, Sam Faber of New Hampshire set an NCAA record (since tied) for most game winning goals in one season with 13.
Current roster ===2022–23 Wildcats===As of September 9, 2022.
Erin Whitten Erin Whitten shut out Dartmouth College in her collegiate debut. She began her coaching career when she joined the UNH women's ice hockey staff on July 17, 2000.On July 27, 2006, she was promoted to the position of associate head coach on July 27, 2006.
First Outdoor Game *The Northeastern University women's hockey team faced off against New Hampshire at Fenway Park on Jan. 8, 2010, in the first outdoor women's college hockey game ever played. The Wildcats came from behind to win the game by a score of 5-3, with a four goal rally in the third period. The 4 p.m. game played between the Huskies and Wildcats was the first game of a Hockey East Doubleheader. The men's teams at Boston College and Boston University played at 7:30 p.m. It was the 110th all-time matchup between the Huskies and the Wildcats. In the prior 109 matches, New Hampshire had a 73-28-7 record vs. the Huskies.
Notable players * Kacey Bellamy* Karyn Bye* Colleen Coyne* Tricia Dunn*Samantha "Sam" Faber (born 1987)* Samantha Holmes* Sue Merz* Kelly Paton*Erin Whitten (Four-year varsity goaltender at New Hampshire from 1989–93)*Carisa Zaban*In the 2009-10 season, Kelly Paton ranked near the top in several scoring categories in the NCAA. She ranked fourth in assists per game (1.00), fifth in points per game (1.59) and tied for sixth in points (51). She led the Wildcats in points (51), goals (19) and plus/minus (plus-16). Paton was named Hockey East co-Player of the Year and won the Hockey East Three Stars Award. In addition, Paton was a unanimous All-Hockey East First Team selection, three-time Hockey East Player of the Month and three-time Hockey East Player of the Week.
Championships and accolades *UNH's history includes four consecutive EAIAW (Eastern Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women) titles from 1980–83 and five ECAC titles (1986-87-90-91-96). *In 1998, New Hampshire won the inaugural women's ice hockey championship (sponsored by the American Women's College Hockey Alliance) in 1998 at the FleetCenter in Boston. In that 1998 season, Brandy Fisher won the inaugural Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award as the top women's collegiate player. Four Wildcats were also members of the 1998 gold-medal winning U.S. Olympic team. *  ECAC titles (1990, 1991)*  ECAC runner-up (1992, 1993)*  Appeared in the Frozen Four in 2006 and 2008*  Hockey East regular-season champions in ‘04 ‘05 ‘06 ‘07 ‘08*  Hockey East Tournament champions in ‘06 ‘07 ‘08
Awards and honors === National Awards and Honors ===* Courtney Birchard, 2010 Women's RBK Hockey Division I All-America Second Team * Erin Whitten, USA Hockey Women's Player of the Year (1994*Ava Boutilier, New Hampshire, Women's Hockey Commissioners Association Goaltender of the Month February 2020=== Patty Kazmaier Award ===* Brandy Fisher was the inaugural Patty Kazmaier Award winner in 1998. * Finalists: Nicki Luongo in 1999, Carisa Zaban in 2000 and Kelly Paton in 2010* Martine Garland, Top 10 Finalist for 2007 Patty Kazmaier Award* Kira Misikowetz, Top 10 Finalist for 2002 Patty Kazmaier Award=== Conference Awards ======= All Rookie Team ====*Nicole Kelly, 2020-21 Hockey East Pro Ambitions All-Rookie Team* Kristina Lavoie, 2010 WHEA All-Rookie Team==== All Star Team ====* Courtney Birchard, 2010 WHEA First-Team All-Star* Micaela Long, 2010 WHEA First-Team All-Star* Kelly Paton, 2010 WHEA First-Team All-Star* Kristina Lavoie, 2010 WHEA Honorable Mention All-Star* Erin Whitten,  ECAC First Team (1992 and 1993)* Erin Whitten,  ECAC All-Star Selection (equivalent to First Team status) in 1990 and 1991==== Player of the Year ====* Kelly Paton, 2010 Hockey East Co-Player of the Year* Carolyn Gordon, 2003-04 Hockey East Player of the Year==== Rookie of the Year ====* Kristina Lavoie, 2010 Hockey East Rookie of the Year==== Goaltender of the Year ====* Erin Whitten,  ECAC Goaltender of the Year (1992)===Hockey East Monthly Awards===* Kelly Paton – New Hampshire, WHEA Player of the Month, October 2009* Kelly Paton – New Hampshire, WHEA Player of the Month, November 2009* Kelly Paton – New Hampshire, WHEA Player of the Month, February 2010==== Other Awards ====*Winny Brodt, 1998 AWCHA Tournament Most Outstanding player*Lindsey Dumond, New Hampshire, 2021 Hockey East Best Defensive Forward Award* Tricia Dunn, Forward, New Hampshire; 1996 ECAC All-Tournament Team*Brandy Fisher, F, 1996 ECAC Tournament most valuable player*Samantha Holmes, 1999-2000 New England Hockey Writers Association Women's Division I All-Star Team * Jen Huggon, All-America honors in 2003*Carrie Jokiel, 2000 Sarah Devens Award* Micaela Long, 2010 Hockey East Scoring Champion* Nicki Luongo, 1999 American Women's College Hockey Alliance All-Americans, First Team* Kerry Maher, 1999-2000 New England Hockey Writers Association Women's Division I All-Star Team* Kira Misikowetz, Forward, 2001-02 New England Hockey Writers Women's Division I All-Star Team* Kelly Paton, Runner Up, 2010 Hockey East Scoring Champion* Kelly Paton, 2010 Frozen Four Skills Competition participant* Kelly Paton, 2010 Women's RBK Hockey Division I All-America First Team * Heather Reinke, Defense, 1996 All-ECAC Team* Heather Reinke, Defense, 1996 ECAC All-Tournament Team* Dina Solimini, Goaltender, 1996 ECAC All-Tournament Team* Dina Solimini, 1996 ECAC Honor Roll* Erin Whitten, UNH Department of Women's Athletics Athlete of the Year (1993)* Carisa Zaban, 1996 ECAC Honor Roll*Carisa Zaban, 1999 American Women's College Hockey Alliance All-Americans, Second Team*Carisa Zaban, 1999-2000 New England Hockey Writers Association Women's Division I All-Star Team*Carisa Zaban, 1999-2000 All-America selection
Team Scoring Champions   Season  Player  GP  G  A  Pts2002-03 Stephanie Jones  36   22   15   372003-04            2004-05            2005-06            2006-07            2007-08 Sam Faber  38   25   24  49 2008-09 Jenn Wakefield  31   32   17   492009-10  Kelly Paton   22   12  24  362010-11  Kristina Lavoie   32    9  11  202011-12  Kristina Lavoie 32    16   12  282012-13  Kristina Lavoie  32   11   12  232013-14 Jessica Hitchcock    26  9  12   21 2014-15   Jonna Curtis  36   13  9   22 2015-16  Jonna Curtis  36   16   17  33 2016-17  Jonna Curtis 35    21   21  422017-18  Meghara McManus  34   11   9  202018-19 Taylor Wenczkowski   36   20   6  262019-20  Meghara McManus  36   17  10   272020-21  Nicole Kelly  22   5   9  14
Wildcats in professional hockey = CWHL All-Star  = NWHL All-Star= Clarkson Cup Champion= Isobel Cup Champion Player Position Team(s) League(s) Years    Kacey Bellamy Defense Boston BladesBoston PrideCalgary Inferno CWHLNWHL founded 2015 CWHL      3 (2013, 2015 and 2019)   1 (2016)  Courtney Birchard Defense Brampton Thunder CWHL              Winny Brodt Defense Minnesota Whitecaps WWHLNWHL joined NWHL in 2018      1 (2010)   1 (2019) Raylen DziengelewskiDefenseBoston Blades  CWHL 1  Sam Faber Defense Boston BladesConnecticut Whale CWHLNWHL             Samantha Holmes Forward Calgary Oval X-TremeStrathmore Rockies team founder WWHL           Andria Hunter Forward Mississauga WWHL          Micaela LongBoston BladesConnecticut Whale CWHLNWHL4Meghara McManusForwardBoston PrideNWHL1 (2021)Julia MartyForwardSC Reinach DamenLinköping HCHC Université Neuchâtel DamesSWHL ARiksserien (W)SWHL A (W)	Stefanie MartyForwardSC Reinach DamenLinköping HCHC Université Neuchâtel DamesSWHL ARiksserien (W)SWHL A (W)	  Kelly Paton Forward Boston Blades CWHL    1 (2015–16)       Jenna Rheault DefenseBoston PrideNWHL1 (2021)Shannon SiskForwardBoston BladesCWHL2Carlee TurnerForwardBoston PrideNWHL1 (2021)  Jennifer Wakefield Forward Toronto FuriesLinköping HCLuleå HFBrynäs IFDjurgårdens IF CWHLSDHL           Taylor WenczkowskiForwardBoston PrideNWHL1 (2021)  Erin Whitten Goaltender Adirondack Red WingsDallas Freeze AHLCentral Hockey League
See also * New Hampshire Wildcats men's ice hockey* New Hampshire Wildcats* List of college women's ice hockey coaches with 250 wins (Russ McCurdy ranks tenth in wins, first in winning percentage on all-time list)
References