February 19, 2009

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The NHL Foundation, the National Hockey League’s charitable and community relations organization, has awarded a grant in support of the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award. The 12th annual Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award will be presented by The USA Hockey Foundation to the top player in NCAA Division I women’s ice hockey at an award brunch on March 21 at 10 a.m. in Boston, Mass.

"The NHL Foundation has provided tremendous support for the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award since its inception,” said Dave Ogrean, executive director of USA Hockey and The USA Hockey Foundation. “Women’s hockey has grown exponentially in the last decade, and the NHL Foundation’s significant assistance has allowed this award to thrive.”

Now in its 12th year, the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award is presented to an NCAA Division I women’s ice hockey player who displays outstanding individual and team skills, sportsmanship, performance in the clutch and a love of hockey. The award is named in honor of Patty Kazmaier, an accomplished athlete and four-year letter-winner at Princeton University. Patty Kazmaier-Sandt passed away in 1990 following a long struggle with a rare blood disease.

“The NHL Foundation is committed to continue its support of the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award and the impact that the award has on the growth of women’s hockey in the U.S.,” said Bernadette Mansur, executive director of the NHL Foundation. “We congratulate this year’s finalists for their achievements and contributions to the game.”

The National Hockey League is committed to enriching the lives of young people in North America and supporting the efforts of its players and clubs in their commitments to their communities. Through the NHL Foundation, the National Hockey League supports organizations and programs aimed at young people, which extend the core values of the NHL member clubs, players and alumni.

NOTES: The 2009 Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award will be presented at a brunch ceremony at the Royal Sonesta Hotel Boston on March 21, in conjunction with the NCAA Women’s Frozen Four, in Boston, Mass. Tickets to the event may be purchased at PattyKaz.com or by calling 800-566-3288, ext. 184 ($85/individual seats, $800/table of 10).