COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Penn State freshman forward Kiara Zanon (Fairport, New York) was named by USA Hockey as one of 10 finalists for the 2021 Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award as announced Feb. 25, 2021.
Zanon is the lone freshman and underclassman on the stellar list and becomes the first Nittany Lion to be named a finalist for the player of the year honor. The full list of 2021 finalists can be found via USA Hockey's release.
"This is definitely a huge honor," Zanon said. I wouldn't be here without the help and support from my teammates and coaches as well as my family and trainers back home. I know I still have a long way to go individually and our team has more to accomplish this season, but I am very thankful for the consideration."
"I'm so happy for Kiara," said Penn State head coach Jeff Kampersal. "Most importantly, she is an awesome human being and leader. As player, she possesses poise, vision, skill and difference-making change of speed. What separates Kiara is her work ethic. She spends many extra hours on the ice, during the season and during the summer, mastering her craft. Kiara embodies all the wonderful qualities that define Patty and the Kazmaier family. We are proud that Kiara is the first Nittany Lion to be nominated as a top-10 finalist for this prestigious award."
Zanon has been one of the most influential players in the country in her freshman campaign with the Nittany Lions and is certainly one of the many drivers to Penn State's breakout season in 2020-21. She leads College Hockey America with 27 points (8G, 19A), currently tied for second nationally and leads all rookies.
A speedy skater with a game-breaking playmaking ability, Zanon posted a program-record six-point game (1G, 5A) in Penn State's 7-1 win over RIT Feb. 10, 2021. She has either scored or assisted on six game-winning goals for Penn State this season and sports a team-best +20 rating.
In a shortened 2020-21 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Zanon is still on track to shatter several Penn State season records, including points per games (1.50) and assists per game (1.06). Her eight multi-point games matches a Penn State season best despite playing just 18 games so far.
Zanon became the first Nittany Lion to win an individual national award when she was named Hockey Commissioners Association Women's National Rookie of the Month for December. She scored two game-winning goals and had six points (2G, 4A) in four games in the month.
Additional conference awards won by Zanon this season include two CHA Rookie of the Month honors (Dec. and Jan.), and three CHA Rookie of the Week awards.
Off the ice, Zanon is involved with Penn State's Student Athlete Advisory Board (SAAB) and Student-Athlete Welfare and Development program. She has also volunteered her time to local organizations in central Pennsylvania such as Pets Come First as well as a few hometown groups like the Rochester Hockey Academy and Cameron Community Ministries Food Pantry.
An award of The USA Hockey Foundation, the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award is annually presented to the top player in NCAA Division I women's ice hockey. Selection criteria includes outstanding individual and team skills, sportsmanship, performance in the clutch, personal character, competitiveness and a love of hockey. Consideration is also given to academic achievement and civic involvement.
The Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award is named in honor of the late Patty Kazmaier, who was a four-year varsity letter-winner and All-Ivy League defenseman at Princeton University from 1981-86. An accomplished athlete who helped lead the Tigers to the Ivy League Championship in three consecutive seasons (1981-84), Patty Kazmaier-Sandt died Feb. 15, 1990, at the age of 28 following a long struggle with a rare blood disease.
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