Awards and Recognitions
The Premier Hockey Federation's 2022-23 season has concluded with a celebration of the sport's brightest stars. Leading this year's accolades is Toronto's Natalie Spooner, who has been named both the Most Valuable Player (MVP) and Forward of the Year.
Natalie Spooner: Leading by Example
Natalie Spooner had an outstanding season, leading the league in scoring with an impressive 20 goals and seven assists. Her remarkable performance set her apart from other top competitors, including New York's Alex Carpenter and Montreal's Marie-Philip Poulin. What makes Spooner's achievement even more extraordinary is the fact that she gave birth to her son at the end of 2022 and did not skate for six months leading up to the season.
"I probably wouldn't have thought that it would have gone this way," Spooner admitted. "I think I was just super grateful to be playing again, to be back on the team. I was just really excited to get back out there with the girls, but I never thought that I'd be able to have, I guess, as big of an impact as I was able to have with the team."
Spooner’s season took a challenging turn when she suffered a knee injury during the playoff semifinals. Nevertheless, her resilient spirit and sportsmanship stood out, securing her the well-deserved titles of MVP and Forward of the Year.
Coaching Excellence: Troy Ryan
The accolades for Toronto don’t stop with Spooner's individual success. Toronto's coach, Troy Ryan, has been named Coach of the Year, a testament to his exceptional leadership and strategic acumen. Under Ryan's guidance, Toronto achieved a league-high of 47 points during the regular season and embarked on an impressive 11-game win streak, a record that played a crucial role in their successful campaign.
Defensive and Goaltending Brilliance
Turning to the defense and goaltending awards, Kristen Campbell has been rightfully named Goaltender of the Year. Campbell's outstanding performance included 16 wins and three shutouts, making her a cornerstone of her team's defense.
Meanwhile, Montreal’s Erin Ambrose was honored as Defender of the Year. Ambrose accumulated 18 points over the course of 24 games, demonstrating consistent excellence and reliability on the blue line.
Rising Star: Grace Zumwinkle
The Rookie of the Year award went to Minnesota’s Grace Zumwinkle, who made a significant impact in her debut season. Zumwinkle recorded 19 points in 24 games, showcasing her potential to become one of the league's future stars.
Community Contributions: Maureen Murphy
Beyond the rink, Maureen Murphy earned the Hockey For All Award, which recognizes individuals for their exceptional volunteer work in the community. Murphy's dedication and efforts off the ice highlight the broader contributions of athletes and the importance of giving back to society.
Selection Committee and Final Thoughts
This year's award winners were chosen by an 18-member selection committee, composed of individuals with deep insights and connections to the sport. The deliberations and final choices reflect a careful consideration of the players' and coaches' contributions throughout the season.
The 2022-23 Premier Hockey Federation season will be remembered not only for its high level of competition but also for the inspiring stories of resilience, leadership, and community spirit. Natalie Spooner’s story, in particular, stands out as a testament to overcoming personal and professional challenges to emerge as a leader both on and off the ice.
As the league looks ahead to the next season, fans and players alike can take pride in the achievements of this year’s award recipients, who have set a high standard for excellence in women’s hockey.