MADISON, Wis. – After leading the Wisconsin women's hockey team to its seventh NCAA title and USA Hockey to gold at the 2023 International Ice Hockey Federation Women's World Championship, Badger freshman Caroline Harvey has been named the Bob Allen Player of the Year, USA Hockey announced on Thursday. 

Harvey is the fifth Badger to earn the honor, which is awarded annually by USA Hockey to the top American women's hockey player, joining the likes of Jessie Vetter (2009), Meghan Duggan (2011), Hilary Knight (2014 and 2022) and Abby Roque (2020). 

"I'm speechless," Harvey said. "It is quite the honor, seeing the list of previous honorees and being recognized in the same category doesn't feel real. I can't thank my teammates, coaches, parents, and everyone who has helped me along the way enough to get me to this point. I'm extremely grateful to be receiving this award on behalf of USA hockey."

A native of Salem, New Hampshire, Harvey enjoyed a sensational rookie campaign for the Cardinal and White. The blueliner was named the WCHA Rookie of the Year and became only the second Badger freshman to be named an All-American. She was also named to the NCAA Women's Frozen Four All-Tournament Team after notching the game-winning overtime goal against No. 2 Minnesota to lift the Badgers to the NCAA championship game. 

Harvey was instrumental in leading the U.S. to gold at the 2023 IIHF Women's World Championship, posting a tournament-best 14 points thanks to four goals and 10 assists. Her 14 points were the most ever by a defender in a single women's world championship. She also sported a +14 rating and had a point in each of Team USA's seven games. She was named one of Team USA's best three players of the tournament, earned the directorate award as the top blueliner in the world championship and was selected to the media's all-tournament team. 

Harvey will be recognized for her accomplishment at next month's USA Hockey's Annual Congress.