Plymouth’s Kirsten Simms is on the verge of making history in NCAA women’s hockey as she is one of the finalists for the prestigious Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award. The award, equivalent to the men’s Hobey Baker Award, is named after Patty Kazmaier, a Princeton defender. Simms, with 74 points in 37 games, is the highest-scoring player in the nation as a sophomore and has been recognized as one of the top three finalists for the award.

Simms, along with her Wisconsin teammate Casey O’Brien and Cornell’s Izzy Daniel, awaits the announcement of the winner on Saturday in Durham, N.H. The 19-year-old expressed her honor at being in the top three and emphasized the significance of winning a national championship, reflecting the team’s focus and determination.

Wisconsin, the defending champions, secured a 3-1 victory against Colgate in the Women’s Frozen Four semifinal, with Simms extending her point streak to eight games by scoring 11 minutes into the game. The team is set to face Ohio State in the final on Sunday at 4 p.m., showcasing Simms’ consistent ability to generate scoring opportunities and contribute to the team’s success.

Simms’ impressive hockey career, which began with her learning the game from her older brother, has been marked by numerous achievements, including winning a gold medal at the world U18 women’s championships in 2020 and a silver medal at the U18 world championships in 2022. Her talent and skill level have been acknowledged by Wisconsin assistant coach Jackie Crum, who highlighted Simms’ exceptional stick-handling and game awareness.

Simms’ impact was evident in her freshman year at Wisconsin, where she played a pivotal role in securing the national championship with a winning goal. Her consistent performance and ability to create scoring opportunities have solidified her reputation as a standout player in NCAA women’s hockey.