RMU women’s hockey star forward Brittany Howard keeps tallying up the accolades as it was announced today that Howard is a top-ten finalist for the 2018 Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award by USA Hockey. The award recognizes the best player in the nation in Division 1 hockey. This comes less than 24 hours after Howard received her Dapper Dan Pittsburgh Sportswoman of the Year Award.

Division 1 women’s hockey coaches nominated players they thought were deserving of the award. Players receiving various nominations from coaches were put on a ballot and sent out to be voted on to make up the ten finalists. The winner and three finalists will be selected by a committee of 13 Division 1 women’s hockey coaches, print and broadcast representatives, and an at-large member of USA Hockey. The top three finalists will be announced March 1, and the winner will be announced at the brunch ceremony on March 17, as part of the Women’s Final Four festivities in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

This season, Howard has helped the Colonials be ranked in the top 10 in the nation in NCAA Division 1 women’s hockey as they are currently ranked No. 9. Howard has recorded 21 goals, 43 points, and 22 assists, leading RMU in all three statistical categories. Howard is also the RMU career leader in goals with 75 and has 100 assists and 175 points in a Colonial uniform.

To add to her long lists of accomplishments, Howard was named the CHA Player of the Month in back-to-back months in October and November this season and has been CHA Player of the Week solely four times and Co-Player of the Week once. Howard also was named the NCAA’s First Star of the Week once in November.

In a press release from RMU’s athletic department, head coach Paul Colontino reflected on Howard’s career at RMU and being a top-ten finalist for the prestigious award.

“She’s worked so hard over her four years. When you talk about deserving and hard work, over her (time) here, she’s done a tremendous job being consistent with practice habits, off-ice habits, school and community service, so she really is the full package,” Colontino said.