Caroline Harvey Selected as 2026 IIHF Women’s Player of the Year
ZURICH, Switzerland – The IIHF announced today that U.S. Olympic Women’s Ice Hockey Team defender Caroline Harvey (Salem, N.H.) has been named the 2026 International Ice Hockey Federation Female Player of the Year.
Harvey, who is expected to be chosen tonight at the 2026 PWHL Draft, had a remarkable season. During the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milan, she played a pivotal role on Team USA’s defense, accumulating a tournament-high nine points (2G, 7A) as the U.S. achieved an undefeated streak leading to the gold medal.
She topped the tournament in assists and recorded a +14 rating, indicating her presence on the ice for nearly half of the goals scored by the U.S. at the Olympics. Harvey was honored as the tournament MVP, recognized as the best defender, and was one of three Americans selected for the media all-star team.
The native of Salem, N.H., continued her exceptional performance in Milan with a record-setting senior season, leading the Wisconsin Badgers to the NCAA national championship, marking the ninth title in the program’s history.
Harvey led all NCAA defenders and ranked second nationally in points per game (1.94), while also leading the country in assists per game (1.39). In 33 games, she achieved 64 points (18G, 46A), establishing a new single-season points record for a Badgers defender.
Her outstanding season earned her the 2026 Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award, which is awarded annually to the top player in Division I women’s hockey, in addition to being named WCHA Player of the Year and Defender of the Year. She was also selected for the AHCA Women’s Division I All-America Team and the All-WCHA First Team.
Harvey is the second American to receive this esteemed award, following Hilary Knight (Sun Valley, Idaho), who won the inaugural honor in 2023.
Her U.S. teammates Taylor Heise (Lake City, Minn.) and Laila Edwards (Cleveland Heights, Ohio) were also finalists for the award.
