Boston sweeps NHWL post-season awards

Boston’s Deanna Laing, left, won two of the NWHL’s post-season awards, the league announced Sunday. (Photo courtesy Deanna Laing)

DURHAM, N.H., March 20 — The National Women’s Hockey League (NHWL) announced their first postseason awards Sunday in Durham, the site for the NCAA Division I national championship game between Minnesota and Boston College.

Members from the league champion Boston Pride took home each award. Votes were collected from players, writers and fans.

Boston forward Brianna Decker, who had 14 goals and 15 assists for 29 points, was named the league MVP.

A member of the U.S. national team and an Olympian at the 2014 Olympic Games, Decker helped Boston rise to the top of the league in 2016. She had the first hat trick in league history in October 25, 2015 against Buffalo and led the league in shorthanded goals.

She had two goals, including a shorthanded goal, in Boston’s 3-1 win over Buffalo to clinch the Isobel Cup championship. She was named the MVP of the Isobel Cup tournament. Decker was selected by members of the NHWLPA. Buffalo’s Kelly Steadman, Emily Pfalzer and Boston’s Hilary Knight were the three other contenders.

The best goaltender award went to Boston’s Brittany Ott, who led the league in wins (12) and shutouts (1) and had the lowest goals against average (1.94). She was 12-1 and backstopped the Pride to the league championship. Boston’s Gigi Marvin was selected as the league’s best defenseman. She finished the year with five goals and nine assists for 14 points.

The NWHL Writer’s Group of more than 50 representatives voted on the top goalie and defensemen from a league-selected ballot.

Boston’s Deanna Laing was selected to receive the NWHL Foundation Award, honoring the player most actively applying the core values of hockey to her community as well as growing and improving hockey culture. She was also awarded the Perseverance Award, which goes to the player who exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to her sport.

Laing was injured in an Winter Classic exhibition game in Boston on December 31 against the CWHL All-Stars when she collided into the boards and hurt her spinal cord. She is recovering in a Boston hospital.

Boston’s Hilary Knight was honored for being the league’s leading scorer with 15 goals and 18 assists for 33 points. Knight led the league in goals, assists and points. Boston received an award for the best record (12-3-1) during the regular season.