"I'm thankful that sometimes he let me come out of the net and take a couple of shots on him," Botterill said in reference to her older brother.

The entire contingent of players from Dartmouth, St. Lawrence, and Harvard attended the awards dinner. The majority of Minn.-Duluth players were absent.

By skipping the Patty Kazmaier dinner, the Bulldog players passed up on a chance to honor the late Robert B. Ridder '41, a USA Hockey Hall of Famer who co-founded Minnesota Hockey and co-owned the Minnesota North Stars. Without Ridder's dedication, Minn.-Duluth women's hockey might never have been created in 1999.

"I happen to believe that [sophomore winger] Maria Rooth is the best player in women's college hockey, bar none," declared Bulldog Coach Shannon Miller following Minn.-Duluth's victory over Harvard the previous evening.

Prior to the Frozen Four, both Botterill and Shewchuk were significantly outscoring Rooth despite playing the toughest schedule in the nation, according to standard measures. Botterill and Shewchuk were averaging 2.8 and 2.4 points-per-game respectively, while Rooth was averaging just 2.2, and no Patty Kazmaier finalist trio has ever had room for a third forward.

"Jen and I being nominated together is so fitting because we've done everything together the past three years," said Shewchuk after the ceremony.

The award decision was made by an 11-member selection committee of coaches, media, and USA Hockey officials, who applied a selection criteria which included skills, sportsmanship, performance in the clutch, personal character, competitiveness, and a love of hockey.