Raché was our most reliable defensewoman this year, playing a ton of minutes and joining the rush to help ignite the offense.  We were regularly short handed on the bench and never had more than 3 defensive players at a time.  A lot was expected and asked of all of our defensive players but Raché truly rose to the occasion.  In previous seasons she had a propensity to take penalties.  This year she really made a concerted effort to avoid taking penalties and was very successful in doing so.  She led by example and played the game the right way, while also playing at a high level even while exhausted.  If she had any flaw it was probably working too hard and pushing herself too much.  She holds herself accountable to a very high standard and it payed off.  She was an invaluable member of the team.

From start to finish, over the last four years, Chey played her heart out on the blue line. She always stepped up when needed and had amazing chemistry with not only the "d-squad" but the whole team. Chey was a model captain and always had the right advice and words of encouragement. She took chances and wasn't afraid of making mistakes. Cheyenne was apart of two Championship wins at Rowan over the last 4 years, and helped the team get there.

The best defensive players are often some of the most even keeled, cerebral skaters on the ice. They need to diagnose complex—and sometimes chaotic—scenarios on the fly to know when the best move is to pinch, or to ease off in order to act as a calming force out there, especially in the neutral and defensive zones. Rachel fit this description to a T, and was unsurprisingly our best defender.

Off the ice, you’re likely to catch her with her face in a stack of Biochem text studying for an upcoming exam, and/or dissecting the philosophical implications of latest Game of Thrones season. On the ice, she was steady personified, with a knack for pushing up in the attacking zone at all the right moments. Although her legs and lungs were often pushed to absolute limit given how often we had to roll a three D rotation, the rest of us definitely breathed a little easier with Rachel on shift.

When Caity steps on the ice, she races to every single puck as if it were her last. She's managed to be one of the top scorers on the team, rushing the puck from end to end. Caity never fails to pull her weight on the ice. Her uncanny ability to be right where we need her, whenever we need her, is what makes her unique. She played through a foot injury this year, showcasing her staunch refusal to give up without a fight. She's never afraid to drive up the ice, nor is she ever afraid to face her opponents head-on. She brings positive vibes and encourages us to do our best during every game we have.

Nicki has been an exceptional and reliable defensewoman all season.  She is invaluable as someone who can play with multiple defensive partners, is incredible both on the offensive and the defensive, and has a good eye for making plays happen.  Nicki has an amazing shot from the blue line, but also is always a team player who passes to her teammates and knows where to be at all times