Three Finalists Named for 2010 Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Junior forward Vicki Bendus (Wasaga Beach, Ont./Mercyhurst College), senior forward Kelly Paton (Woodstock, Ont./Univ. of New Hampshire) and freshman goaltender Noora Räty (Espoo, Finland/Univ. of Minnesota) are the three finalists for the 2010 Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award, it was announced today by The USA Hockey Foundation. In its 13th year, the award is presented annually to the top player in NCAA Division I women’s ice hockey.

2010 Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award
Finalists

Vicki Bendus • Mercyhurst College
Junior • Forward • 34GP, 27-35--62

Kelly Paton • Univ. of New Hampshire
Senior • Forward • 32GP, 19-32--51

Noora Räty • Univ. of Minnesota
Freshman • Goaltender • 17-3-4, 1.24, .951

The trio represents three NCAA Division I women’s ice hockey conferences – College Hockey America (Bendus), the Hockey East Association (Paton) and the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (Räty).

The 2010 Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award will be presented at an award ceremony at the University of Minnesota's McNamara Alumni Center on March 20 in Minneapolis. The event is held is conjunction with the NCAA Women's Frozen Four.

Tickets to the 2010 Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award ceremony may be purchased by calling 719-538-1184, or by e-mailing or faxing a completed ticket form, which can be found at PattyKaz.com. Individual seats are $75, while tables of 10 are available for $700.