Trio of teams take home multiple awards to headline accolades on the ice
Burlington, Ont. – A star-studded season sees the 2024-25 women's hockey accolades span several sensational programs - including multiple wins for three programs - with a breakout year from Waterloo's Carly Orth highlighting the incredible class of Ontario University Athletics (OUA) award winners and all-stars.
Player of the Year – Carly Orth, Waterloo Warriors
Carly Orth found another gear for the Warriors in 2024-25, posting a breakout season for the black and gold to claim the OUA player of the year nod.
The Warriors left wing finished tied for the league scoring title with 31 points, more than doubling her tally from last year. Orth was also tied for first on the Warriors with 11 goals, while leading her team with 20 helpers.
The fourth-year forward from Bolton, Ont. made her presence felt in every game for the black and gold, thanks to a league-leading 1.29 points per game.
Orth has a knack for making moves on special teams, as she leads the country with four short-handed goals and notched two powerplay tallies as well. Her timely scoring also extends to her team's win total this season, as three of her markers were of the game-winning variety.
One of her best outings of the season came against the TMU Bold, in which Orth had five points (2G, 3A) in Waterloo's 9-2 win.
Rookie of the Year – Clara Chisholm, Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks
Clara Chisholm had herself a standout debut season with the Golden Hawks, claiming the OUA rookie of the year crown amongst her fellow first years.
Chisholm put in the minutes for Laurier, playing in every game this season and leading the Golden Hawks in both goals (7) and points (19). Her team-leading numbers were also good to put her in a tie for top spot among all rookie skaters in goals and points in the OUA.
Rounding out her dominant debut stat line, Chisholm had a 12-assist season and found herself instrumental on special teams for Laurier with three power play goals, seven powerplay assists, and one shorthanded snipe. The Granton, Ont. native also came up big with a pair of Golden Hawks' game winners this season.
The psychology student was a consistent factor on the scoresheet for Laurier, notching several multi-point outings this season.
Defender of the Year – Madison Laberge, Nipissing Lakers
Madison Laberge had a jaw-dropping year defensively for the Nipissing Lakers, as the team's alternate captain from Val Therese, Ont. led all defenders in the OUA with 23 points.
Her veteran leadership on the back end was integral in the Lakers holding on to a 16-6-2-2 conference record for first in the OUA East. They found themselves among the best in the nation many times throughout the season, rising to as high as third.
In her fifth season with Nipissing, the education student captured career-highs across the board, including her seven goals and 16 assists.
Laberge showed her dominance on both ends of the ice with a four-point performance (1G, 3A) against TMU in Nipissing's 7-3 win over the Bold. Her special teams play was unmatched this season collecting six goals and seven assists with the player advantage.
She is no stranger to top OUA honours either, having been named an OUA first team all-star in previous seasons. She now adds the conference's top defender to her resume, marking the second year in a row that a Nipissing rearguard has earned the honour (Kara den Hoed, 2023-24).
Forward of the Year – Maggie McKee, Nipissing Lakers
A force to be reckoned with for the Lakers, veteran forward Maggie McKee had a standout season for the Lakers as she tied for top spot in the league with 31 points through her 26 games on the ice.
The assistant captain's play was fundamental for a league-leading finish for the Lakers. She was influential from the season's first puck drop, tallying one helper against the York Lions in the team's opener, but really found her footing with a two-point performance in Nipissing's next contest against TMU, her first of many multi-point games this season.
The London, Ont. product found was clutch for the North Bay squad as well with three game-winning goals, as well as a pair on the powerplay.
Having a fantastic year from a statistical perspective and helping her team along the way, McKee led the conference with 21 assists.
Adding to Nipissing's recent command of the conference major awards, McKee throws her hat in the ring with the forward of the year selection this year.
Goaltender of the Year - Kara Mark, Waterloo Warriors
Kara Mark was on the mark this season for the Waterloo Warriors, as she captures the conference's goaltender of the year award.
Mark suited up in all but two of the Warriors contests this season, leading the country in minutes played with 1489, holding down the space between the pipes night in and night out.
Leading the Warriors to an 18-2-2-4 record, which was good for second place in the OUA West, Mark's 17 total wins, four of which were shutouts, led the conference and tied her atop the national ranks as well. One of those shutouts came against the Golden Hawks, where the New Hamburg, Ont. netminder denied 41 shots from the team's crosstown rivals.
She turned away a total of 693 shots this season, as she boasted a .944 save percentage – good for third in the OUA. In her third year with the black and gold, Mark only allowed 41 goals and finished the year with a stingy 1.65 goals-against average.
On the OUA all-rookie team in 2022-23, the netminder continues to be a force in goal, giving opposition fits night in and night out.
Marion Hilliard Award – Ava Ricker-Singh, York Lions
Ricker-Singh is a leader in many ways on and off the ice for the York Lions squad, as evidenced in her selection as the OUA's Marion Hilliard Award recipient.
She finished with six goals and seven assists for 13 points, which were good for second on the team. She led the Lions' defence corps in both goals and points and continued to be the anchor of the team's blueline in her final year of eligibility.
In a unique bit of fate, she scored the empty net goal which sealed York's OUA West playin win over the Windsor Lancers by stripping her own sister, former Lion Ilena Ricker-Singh, of the puck before firing it into the empty net.
Ricker-Singh is a master's of science student specializing in sport and positive youth development through sport psychology, and is a two-time academic all-Canadian as well.
Beyond the classroom, she is a member of York's student council, serving as Sport Council Executive Communications Coordinator. Her duties therein include communicating and developing messaging to student-athletes and administration about community initiatives. These initiatives range from a student-athlete on-campus blood drive; helping families in need around the holidays with groceries, clothing, and children's gifts; and food drives.
Ricker-Singh has also been involved with the Roar for the Cure – a York women's hockey initiative to raise awareness and funds for the Canadian Cancer Society – and with Shoreham Public School, providing sports clinics for local youth.
Adding to her impressive career with the Lions, Ricker-Singh recently set the York women's hockey record for most games played with 127 over five seasons in the red and white.
Champion of EDI Award – Charlotte Melindy, Queen's Gaels
Charlotte Melindy has been a driving force in fostering inclusivity within the athletics community at Queen's, which is why the Gaels captain has been named the 2024-25 women's hockey champion of EDI award winner.
The fifth-year from Whitby, Ont. is the founder of the Queer and Gender-Diverse Student Athletes Association at Queen's, an organization that works to create a safe and supportive space for LGBTQ2S+ student-athletes.
Melindy is also a member of the I-EDIAA Advisory Committee, where they help develop strategies for inclusion and equity within Queen's Athletics.
Beyond their contributions at Queen's, Melindy has been deeply engaged in community outreach. They have led fundraising initiatives for Bleed the North, an organization dedicated to menstrual equity, where Melindy helped collect thousands of period products for local shelters in the North.
Melindy has also volunteered in various capacities over the years with several local hockey and sporting organizations within the Kingston community. They were selected for the Hockey Canada Creating Coaches Female Mentorship Program mentoring and coaching young athletes with the Kingston Ice Wolves, while also pursuing their coaching certifications.
Melindy's commitment to both hockey and social causes makes them a role model in the community, and they are now pursuing law school to become a lawyer and further their passion for advocacy.
True Sport Award – Arielle MacDonald, Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks
Arielle MacDonald has been a true leader for the Golden Hawks this season, epitomizing the True Sport approach every time she stepped on the ice.
Taking on the assistant captain position for a second year in a row, MacDonald played in all 26 games this season, averaging 23:47 minutes on the ice.
She led her team in assists with 14 and was the highest-scoring defender on the purple and gold's roster.
She loved having the puck on her stick when Laurier was on the power play, as the fourth-year blueliner tied the team-high with four goals and led the team with 12 points with the extra attacker on the ice.
Over her four OUA seasons, MacDonald has taken just eight minor penalties (16 PIM). She consistently plays the game with sportsmanship and discipline, while having a positive impact on team results.
MacDonald is also active in promoting the game of hockey in her hometown of New Credit, Ont. where she volunteers with Six Nations minor hockey (U7, U9, U11) to help promote hockey for Indigenous communities.
MacDonald has been recognized by her team for her contributions having been named rookie of year in 2022 and team MVP in 2024. She was also named a U SPORTS academic all-Canadian in 2024.
Coach of the Year - Kelly Paton, Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks
Kelly Paton completed her sixth season and seventh year as Golden Hawks head coach, where she led Laurier to a four-win and 10-point improvement from a year ago.
This marks the first time since 2014 that the program has been nationally ranked, closing out the regular season with a 17-7-1-1 record, the best during her tenure so far. Her team also gave up 21 fewer goals this season compared to the year prior.
Under Paton's guidance, the Golden Hawks had the highest ranked powerplay in the OUA West (20.9%) and most powerplay goals in division with 23 (good for second in the conference overall). They were the only team to not allow a shootout goal in the regular season and one of only two teams in the OUA to record double-digit wins on the road (10).
Before leading the Golden Hawks, Paton coached the Western Mustangs for two years to an overall record of 39-19, along with an OUA championship and U SPORTS silver medal in 2018.
Paton adds the 2024-25 OUA coach of the year award to cap off an impressive season for the Golden Hawks.
The complete list of 2024-25 OUA women's hockey award winners and all-stars is as follows:
Player of the Year - Carly Orth, Waterloo Warriors
Rookie of the Year - Clara Chisholm, Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks
Defender of the Year - Madison Laberge, Nipissing Lakers
Forward of the Year - Maggie McKee Nipissing Lakers
Goaltender of the Year - Kara Mark, Waterloo Warriors
Marion Hilliard Award - Ava Ricker-Singh, York Lions
Champion of EDI - Charlotte Melindy, Queen's Gaels
True Sport Award - Arielle MacDonald, Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks
Coach of the Year - Kelly Paton, Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks
FIRST TEAM ALL-STARS
F - Carly Orth, Waterloo Warriors
F - Maggie McKee, Nipissing Lakers
F - Arianne Gagnon, Ottawa Gee-Gees
D - Madison Laberge, Nipissing Lakers
D - Megan Breen, TMU Bold
G - Kara Mark, Waterloo Warriors
SECOND TEAM ALL-STARS
F - Ashley Delahey, Toronto Varsity Blues
F - Julia Jackson, Ontario Tech Ridgebacks
F - Alyssa Biesenthal, Ottawa Gee-Gees
D - Maëlle Laplante, Ottawa Gee-Gees
D - Lyndsy Acheson, Waterloo Warriors
G - Martina Fedel, Guelph Gryphons
ALL-ROOKIE TEAM
F - Clara Chisholm, Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks
F - Naomi Morin, Ottawa Gee-Gees
F - Gracey Smith, Waterloo Warriors
D - Sydney Hood, Brock Badgers
D - Teagan Pare, Windsor Lancers
G - Sarah Howell, Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks
