Caroline Harvey, a 24‑year‑old defenseman from the United States, has been crowned the International Ice Hockey Federation’s Player of the Year, a distinction that underscores her dominance on the world stage.
A Historic Vote
Harvey secured an unprecedented 77 percent of the ballots cast, the highest share ever recorded in the award’s history, signaling a near‑unanimous recognition of her impact.
Trailblazing Career
The accolade follows a season in which she captained the U.S. women’s team to its third Olympic gold medal, earned the tournament’s MVP honor, and led all players with seven assists while sharing first place in scoring with Megan Keller. She also captured the Patty Kazmaier Award, given to the top collegiate player, after guiding Wisconsin to the NCAA championship alongside teammate Laila Edwards.
The Next Generation
Swiss forward Alina Muller finished as runner‑up with 9 percent of the vote, while U.S. teammate Laila Edwards and Canada’s Marie‑Philippe Poulin each received 4.5 percent, reflecting the deep talent pool that continues to shape women’s hockey.
Harvey’s achievement also marks her as only the second American to win the honor, after Hilary Knight in 2023, and she joins a growing list of trailblazers who are redefining the sport’s narrative.