Botterill’s game-winning effort wasn’t exactly individual, however. It was a great pass from Jamie Hagerman that set her up. But Deraney’s comment was typical of the kind of individual attention Botterill received—the kind Stone perceived to be a distraction. The records were a part of that.

“I think it can be a burden,” Stone said of Botterill’s breaking of the Division One scoring record. “She’s an incredibly selfless player, but when everyone else around you is reminding you of those things, it takes the focus off of team, and she’s all about the team.”

If Botterill ever let such attention affect her, however, she never showed it.

“She is a great leader and very good at bringing the team together as one,” said freshman forward Jennifer Raimondi. “She has taught me so much about hockey and what it means to be a Harvard hockey player. It has truly been a pleasure to be her teammate.”

She not only brought the team together, she fed off of them herself.

“I hope I can articulate how much you have meant to me,” Botterill said upon accepting her second Patty Kazmaier Award. “Everyone on this team has put the team first. Your attitudes and passion for life are absolutely contagious.”

And they fed off her. Freshman Julie Chu, as Botterill’s linemate all year, reaped the most benefits from her presence. Chu trailed only Botterill in national scoring at the end of the year.

“Botts is a complete player,” Chu said. “She’s great on defense, on offense, in the neutral zone—there isn’t a lot she can’t do. She is one of the most poised with the puck. There can be several players all over her and she is always able to move and get away from them or to make the right pass.”

Botterill’s influence extended even far beyond her linemates.

“She has so much skill as well as knowledge for the game that her presence brings up the level of hockey even in practice,” Raimondi said. “Botts is always willing to answer questions or give encouragement where it is needed.”

This past January when Botterill missed two games for a Canadian national camp, Harvard still rolled comfortably through games against Princeton and Yale. Perhaps the greatest tribute to her success will be if her former Harvard teammates reflect her example and continue to thrive after her departure.

—Staff writer David R. De Remer can be reached at deremer@post.harvard.edu.