April 14, 2002

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The Providence College women's hockey team announced its annual team awards on Sunday, April 14 at the Providence Marriott at the team's 2002 Award Banquet.

Junior assistant captain, Jenn Butsch (Berlin, Vt.) received the team's Most Valuable Player Award. Butsch led the Friars in scoring with career highs of 31 points and 16 goals. In addition, she led the squad with four game-winning goals and was second with six power-play tallies.

Junior defenseman/forward Melanie Ruzzi (Burnsville, Minn.) earned the Team Academic Award and the Unsung Hero Award. The Team Academic Award is presented to the player with the highest cumulative grade point average from the 2001 spring semester through the fall semester of the current academic year. The Unsung Hero Award is presented to the player who consistently contributed to the team and its success, but did not receive the recognition that she deserved. Ruzzi, who posted a 3.6 GPA in Finance, finished seventh on the team in scoring with a career-high 21 points, while playing in all 37 games. She was also named to the ECAC Eastern League All-Academic Team.

Senior defenseman Christa Talbot (Lake Forest, Calif.) was the recipient of the Coaches' Award. The award is given annually by the coaching staff to the player who excelled beyond expectation at her position. Talbot played in all 37 games and recorded nine assists.

Junior forward Danielle Culgin (Framingham, Mass.) earned the Seventh Player Award. The award recognizes the player who performed above and beyond expectations. Culgin enjoyed her best season as a Friar in 2001-02, posting career highs of 14 goals and 15 assists for 29 points, which was second on the team. She led the Friars with seven power-play goals. Culgin scored the game winner in double overtime as the Friars defeated second-ranked Niagara, 3-2, in the semifinals of the ECAC Eastern League Tournament on March 15.

Freshman forward Hilary Greaves (Cranston, R.I.) and freshman defenseman Mara Amrhein (Waukesha, Wis.) received the Most Improved Player Award. Greaves was the eighth leading scorer for the Friars with 20 points. She led all freshman goal scorers with 11 goals, including four on the power play. Amrhein was a steady presence on defense for the Friars. She played in 32 games and recorded five assists.

The Friars finished the season with a 20-13-4 overall record and 11-7-3 in the ECAC Eastern League. PC captured the ECAC Eastern League Tournament title with a 1-0 win over Northeastern on March 16. For the Friars, it was their seventh ECAC Title.