Mark Johnson, Casey O'Brien named WCHA Award Finalists
March 04, 2025 | Women's Hockey
Wisconsin head coach, Wisconsin co-captain, named finalists for end-of-season honors
MADISON, Wis. – Wisconsin women's head coach Mark Johnson and team co-captain Casey O'Brien were named finalists for WCHA awards, the league announced Wednesday.
Mark Johnson was named one of three WCHA coaches named as finalists for the WCHA Coach of the Year award. Casey O'Brien was designated as a finalist for the WCHA Outstanding Student-Athlete of the Year honor.Â
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Johnson joined the team as head coach at the beginning of the 2002-03 season and since has not only become the winningest coach in school history, but also the winningest coach in NCAA collegiate women's hockey history. Nine-time WCHA Coach/Co-Coach of the Year Johnson added 33 wins so far this season for a total record of 662-120-55.
This season, Johnson has coached the Badgers to lead the nation in scoring offense (5.56), scoring margin (4.50), scoring defense (1.06), power-play percentage (0.372), penalty killing percentage (0.923) and team goals against average (1.049), among several other stats and individual Badgers leading the nation
Johnson led Wisconsin this year to its 10th WCHA Regular Season Championship, which is second-best in the conference. That marked Johnson's 10th WCHA Regular Season Title, which is the most of any coach in conference history.Â
The WCHA Outstanding Student-Athlete of the Year Award is awarded to student-athletes who excel on and off the ice as athletes, scholars and members of their community. O'Brien was nominated for the award for a record breaking season on the ice, but also her involvement in the community and academics.
On the roster, O'Brien broke the school record for career points, career assists and assists in a season. In-between gameday and practice, O'Brien volunteered at the American Family Children's Hospital Bucky Locker Room Patio, the Ronald McDonald House and also Augie's Lunches with Love.
The Wisconsin co-captain also received WCHA Scholar-Athlete honors and was named to the WCHA All-Academic team for her devotion to learning and academic achievement.
The final selections for the awards will be announced at the WCHA Awards Banquet on Thursday, March 6.
Full list of finalists
WCHA Outstanding Student-Athlete of the Year Finalists: Audrey Wethington, Minnesota; Clara Van Wieren, Minnesota Duluth, Jenna Buglioni, Ohio State; Casey O'Brien, WisconsinÂ
WCHA Coach of the Year Finalists: Laura Schuler, Minnesota Duluth; Bethany Brausen, St. Thomas; Mark Johnson, Wisconsin
Mark Johnson was named one of three WCHA coaches named as finalists for the WCHA Coach of the Year award. Casey O'Brien was designated as a finalist for the WCHA Outstanding Student-Athlete of the Year honor.Â
Â
Johnson joined the team as head coach at the beginning of the 2002-03 season and since has not only become the winningest coach in school history, but also the winningest coach in NCAA collegiate women's hockey history. Nine-time WCHA Coach/Co-Coach of the Year Johnson added 33 wins so far this season for a total record of 662-120-55.
This season, Johnson has coached the Badgers to lead the nation in scoring offense (5.56), scoring margin (4.50), scoring defense (1.06), power-play percentage (0.372), penalty killing percentage (0.923) and team goals against average (1.049), among several other stats and individual Badgers leading the nation
Johnson led Wisconsin this year to its 10th WCHA Regular Season Championship, which is second-best in the conference. That marked Johnson's 10th WCHA Regular Season Title, which is the most of any coach in conference history.Â
The WCHA Outstanding Student-Athlete of the Year Award is awarded to student-athletes who excel on and off the ice as athletes, scholars and members of their community. O'Brien was nominated for the award for a record breaking season on the ice, but also her involvement in the community and academics.
On the roster, O'Brien broke the school record for career points, career assists and assists in a season. In-between gameday and practice, O'Brien volunteered at the American Family Children's Hospital Bucky Locker Room Patio, the Ronald McDonald House and also Augie's Lunches with Love.
The Wisconsin co-captain also received WCHA Scholar-Athlete honors and was named to the WCHA All-Academic team for her devotion to learning and academic achievement.
The final selections for the awards will be announced at the WCHA Awards Banquet on Thursday, March 6.
Full list of finalists
WCHA Outstanding Student-Athlete of the Year Finalists: Audrey Wethington, Minnesota; Clara Van Wieren, Minnesota Duluth, Jenna Buglioni, Ohio State; Casey O'Brien, WisconsinÂ
WCHA Coach of the Year Finalists: Laura Schuler, Minnesota Duluth; Bethany Brausen, St. Thomas; Mark Johnson, Wisconsin
Players Mentioned
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