March 19--Illinois native Kendall Coyne captured the 2016 Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award as the top player in NCAA Division I women's ice hockey, the USA Hockey Federation announced Saturday.
Coyne, from Palos Heights, led Northeastern University (Mass.) to its first NCAA tournament appearance this season by pacing the NCAA with 50 goals -- including five hat tricks -- and finishing second with 84 points. The Huskies captain will graduate as the program's all-time career leading with 248 points and 140 goals.
Coyne was selected from a group of finalists that included Alex Carpenter (Boston College) and Ann-Renee Desbiens (Wisconsin).
During the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia, Coyne used her blazing speed to help lead Team USA to a silver medal by scoring two goals and adding four assists in the tournament.
Coyne also worked for the Chicago Blackhawks during her time at Northeastern.
