I have received several email messages, besides the Hockey-L posts, concerning
the selection process of this year's All-ECAC Women's team.
 
I find myself in an odd position. For once I mostly agree with the ECAC!  But
since there have been some questions raised, let's do the card.
 
G:  Laurie Belliveau (Yale)
I absolutely agree with everyone else, that this is not the best selection by
the ECAC.  Sarah Tueting (DC) and Meghan Smith (PC) were the outstanding
goaltenders this season.  Dina Solimini (UNH) is a third goalie who played
extremely well.  The stats go with Smith and Solimini, but from what I saw,
Tueting deserved the honor.  The bigger question to me is why these three are
not trying out for the USA national team, and Belliveau is?  Seems like the
behind the scenes movers and shakers are at it again!
 
D:  Heather Reinke (UNH) - Alana Blahoski (PC)
Reinke is an excellent defender.  Blahoski skates like the wind, but had some
problems on the blue line.  If the ECAC only goes with one All-ECAC team, then
I would agree, Blahoski has to be on it.  Becky Kellar (Brown) was the best
converted defender I saw.  Amy Coelho and Sara Vogler at Dartmouth were both
superior at breaking up the attack.  Catherine Hanson (PC) was one of the more
intelligent blue liners.  And Bree Cheatham (NU) continued to play incredible,
but seldom was mentioned by the league.  Overall, I think the ECAC's picks
were good.
 
A:  Katie King (Brown) - Meaghan Sittler (Colby) - Laurie Baker (PC)
King and Sittler both lead their teams with their dynamic scoring abilities.
They were the two best forwards I saw this year.  Baker reminded me a lot of a
Team Canada Women's striker in that she has that edge that takes her to the
net for the score.  There are areas of her game that need attention, but the
proper coach could give the USA Women its next great attacker!  Barb Gordon
(Colby) is a tremendous forward, with gifted vision and passing.  Karen
Chernisky and Mandy Pfeiffer at Princeton can really cook up a great offensive
attack.  Nan Gorton (Brown) and Morag McPherson (Cornell) were great two-way
players.  They did so much for their teams.  Still, I think the ECAC picked
the top three attackers.
 
Player of the year:  Meaghan Sittler (Colby) - Alana Blahoski (PC)
Sittler was the leading scorer in the league and helped her team make the
play-offs.  In my mind, Sittler and King were the tough pick for MVP.  I made
Blahoski Most Let-it-rip because like the ECAC I felt she merited special
recognition.  It has been a superb four years getting to watch Blahoski skate.
 
Rookie of the year:  Laurie Baker (PC)
When I saw Baker play I thought she was incredible.  She has a dynamic quality
and poise that makes her stand out.  Carisa Zaban (UNH), Ali Coughlin
(Princeton) and Jaime Totten (NU) were the other first-years that I thought
could have won the award.  Zaban was the closest from what I saw because like
Baker she has an explosive edge that can win games.  I would agree with the
ECAC that Baker was tops.
 
Coach of the year:   Laura Halldorson (Colby) - George Crowe (Dartmouth)
Halldorson has the most interesting attack to watch in the ECAC.  With a very
small squad she gets the most out of her players and creates an attack that
many teams have trouble dealing with.  Crowe pulled his team together to
finish third in the League and made the final four.  I always enjoy seeing
what DC is up to.  Julie Andeberhan did great things with Cornell.  She is the
current USA national team coach for the Pacific Championship.  I thought the
ECAC might give her the award.  I find her Big Red team interesting, but I am
still waiting to see how they will develop.  Andeberhan has made a good start,
but there is much more to do.  Again I agree with the ECAC.
 
The other points I have heard against the honors is that they don't take into
account enough the stats or the Player of the week awards.  Stats can be
helpful, but they can be very misleading.  I am very happy that some of the
indiscreet Player of the week awards did not get counted heavily in the final
awards.  I saw players all year long play so-so during the week and end up
getting a prize for it.  I think the coaches, SID's and ECAC staff came up
with a pretty good list this year.  Having first, second and rookie All-ECAC
teams might make some people happier.
 
All of this stuff is subjective.  Face it, the stats are too.  I have seen
many players get credit for a goal or an assist which they did not deserve.  I
think what makes me the happiest for the ECAC Women is that some teams cleaned
up their acts this year and the overall talent level increased this season.
 
 
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 hungerf
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