Wisconsin Women’s Hockey Defender Wins USCHO Player of the Year
Caroline Harvey, a senior defender for Wisconsin, received a top collegiate honor on April 3. She was named the 2026 USCHO Player of the Year.
Season highlights and honors
Harvey finished the season with a remarkable awards list. The resume includes Olympic gold and an NCAA national title.
- Olympic Gold Medalist
- 2026 Patty Kazmaier Award recipient
- NCAA National Champion and member of the NCAA All-Tournament team
- WCHA Defender of the Year
- WCHA Player of the Year
- ACHA First-Team All-American
- Olympic MVP
Role on the Badgers
Harvey anchored a stout Wisconsin defense. Her play helped the Badgers secure a second consecutive national championship.
She produced unusual offensive numbers for a defender. Those contributions set her apart from peers.
Recognition and legacy
The award roundly acknowledges her impact on the ice. As a Wisconsin women’s hockey defender, she now holds one of the sport’s top individual honors.
Coaching staff face a significant void with her departure. Mark Johnson, the program’s all-time winningest coach, will need to replace a rare talent.
Context for the USCHO honor
The USCHO Player of the Year accolade is another major mark on Harvey’s career. It follows a season already filled with elite distinctions.
| Date | Award/Event |
|---|---|
| April 3, 2026 | Named USCHO Player of the Year |
| 2026 season | Patty Kazmaier Award; WCHA Defender and Player of the Year; NCAA title |
| Olympics (year unspecified) | Gold medalist and Olympic MVP |
