NEW LONDON, Conn. – Connecticut College senior Claire Sammons (Naperville, Ill.) was one of 13 women's ice hockey players to be named a finalist for the 2025 Laura Hurd Award, as announced by the American Hockey Coaches Association on Tuesday afternoon.
The award is given annually to the best NCAA Division III women's ice hockey player in the country. All 13 finalists are first-time nominees. The recipient of this year's Hurd Award will be announced on Thursday, March 27, at the NCAA Frozen Four in River Falls, Wis.
Sammons turned in a spectacular final season with the Camels. She became the first player in school history to be named NESCAC Player of the Year, as well as the first since 2016 to garner All-NESCAC First Team honors. She led Conn with 18 points on six goals and 12 assists in 24 games. The forward also blocked 22 shots and ranked fourth in assists and seventh in points among the NESCAC leaders.
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.
Finalists for the 2024-25 Laura Hurd Award
AHCA Women's Ice Hockey Division III Player of the Year
Sydney Bradley, SR D, Alvernia (Lititz, PA) (MAC Defensive Player of the Year)
Anna Dale, SO F, Lebanon Valley (Juneau, AK) (MAC Offensive Player of the Year)
Samantha Fantasia, SR F, Endicott (Billerica, MA) (CNE Player of the Year)
Erika Goleniak, SR F, Elmira (Canton, MI) (NEHC Player of the Year)
Courtnie Hogan, SR F, St Norbert (Hoffman Estates, IL) (NCHA Player of the Year)
Mack Hull, SR F, SUNY Oswego (Watertown, NY) (SUNYAC Player of the Year)
Jordan Kowalski, SR F, Utica (Chicopee, MA) (UCHC Co-Player of the Year)
Amy Laskowski, FR F, Nazareth (Clarendon Hills, IL) (UCHC Co-Player of the Year)
Rebecca McKelvey, SO F, Rivier (Barre, VT) (MASCAC Player of the Year)
Lily Mortenson, JR F, Gustavus Adolphus (Champlin, MN) (MIAC Offensive Player of the Year)
Bailey Olson, SR F, UW-River Falls (Willmar, MN) (WIAC Player of the Year)
Claire Sammons, SR F, Connecticut College (Naperville, IL) (NESCAC Player of the Year)
Nora Stepan, JR D, Augsburg (Apple Valley, MN) (MIAC Defensive Player of the Year)
