Rivier's McKelvey Named Finalist for Laura Hurd Award
NASHUA, N.H. – Rivier women's ice hockey sophomore forward Rebecca McKelvey has been named a finalist for the 2024-25 Laura Hurd Award, given to the American Hockey Coaches Association (AHCA) Division III Women's Player of the Year. McKelvey is one of thirteen finalists, all of whom are first-time nominees.
McKelvey was named the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) Player of the Year following her conference-best 31 points. The Barre, Vt. native posted 19 goals and 12 assists in 27 games as the Raiders finished their season with a 15-11-1 overall record, the best mark in the program's four-year history.
At the time of publication, McKelvey is tied-15th in the nation in points per game (1.15). McKelvey upped her point total by 20 and her goals by 12 to help Rivier score the most goals in a single season in program history (64). The sophomore scored six power-play goals and three game-winning goals.
In the MASCAC Quarterfinals back on Feb. 26, McKelvey recorded a point on each of the Raiders' five goals (2-3-5) to help the squad advance in the conference's inaugural postseason tournament. The team finished its season with a 2-1 loss in the fourth overtime period at Plymouth St. in the inaugural MASCAC Championship.
ABOUT THE AWARD
From the AHCA release: "Sponsored by the American Hockey Coaches Association, the Hurd Award honors the memory of former Elmira College standout Laura Hurd. A 2005 graduate of Elmira, and a four-time All-American, Hurd died in an automobile accident shortly after graduation. She was the recipient of the AHCA Player of the Year Award in 2005. The recipient of this year's Hurd Award will be announced on Thursday, March 27, at the NCAA Frozen Four in River Falls, WI."
