Canada’s Ann-Renee Desbiens named finalist for Patty Kazmaier Award

COLORADO SPINGS, Colo. – Goaltender Ann-Renee Desbiens of La Malbaie, Que., was chosen one of three finalists for the Patty Kazmaier award given annually to the top female player in NCAA Division 1 hockey.

Desbiens, a junior at the University of Wisconsin, set an NCAA record for shutouts in a season with 18. She led the country in goals-against average (0.77) and save percentage (.958) and ranked second in wins (20).

Boston college senior forward Alex Carpenter, the Patty Kazmaier winner in 2015, and Northeastern senior forward Kendall Coyne were named the other two finalists.

The winner will be announced March 19 during the women’s Frozen Four tournament at the University of New Hampshire. The three women were chosen by a 13-member selection committee made up of coaches, media and a representative of USA Hockey.

Desbiens, 21, played in three games for Canada in last year’s women’s world hockey championship in Malmo, Sweden, and posted a 2-1 record.

Previous Canadian winners of the Patty Kazmaier award were Jamie Lee Rattray (2014), Vicki Bendus (2010), Sarah Vaillancourt (2008), Sara Bauer (2006) and Jennifer Botterill (2003, 2001).