GLOUCESTER, Mass. – The American Hockey Coaches Association (AHCA) announced Maddie McCollins of UW-River Falls as the 2023-24 recipient of the Laura Hurd Award, presented to the best player at the NCAA Division III level by vote from the nation's head coaches.

The Hurd Award honors the memory of former Elmira College standout Laura Hurd. A 2005 graduate of Elmira, and a four-time All-American, Hurd died in an automobile accident shortly after graduation. She was the recipient of the AHCA Player of the Year Award in 2005.

Additionally, McCollins received AHCA First Team West All-America laurels for the second year in a row. McCollins was a Player of the Year finalists last season, and was the USCHO Player of the Year.

McCollins becomes the third Falcons in UWRF history to receive the Laura Hurd Player of the Year distinction, following Callie Hoff in 2022 and Dani Sibley in 2017.

This season, McCollins became UWRF's all-time games played leader and set a single-season record with 32 goals. She's the NCAA Division III leading scorer with 62 points in 29 games played, and has tallied eight power play goals (1st/DIII) and five game-winning goals. McCollins was also named the WIAC Player of the Year for the second consecutive season, and an All-WIAC First Team honoree.

The Falcons (29-0, 12-0 WIAC) are the No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament and host Adrian College this Friday, March 15 in the NCAA Semifinals.