Junior defenseman Tessa Bonhomme of the Ohio State women’s ice hockey team has been named WCHA Defensive Player of the Week three times this season and has been a key leader on a successful team. It should come as no surprise then that she would be considered for National Player of the Year honors.
However, after being nominated as one of 10 finalists for the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award, which is awarded to the top student-athlete in NCAA Division I women’s hockey, Bonhomme was surprised.
“I didn’t expect it, to be honest,” Bonhomme said. “But it’s an honor. The other nine finalists are phenomenal hockey players. It’s a definite honor to be there with them.”
The winner will be announced March 17 at the Frozen Four. Whether she wins the award or not, Bonhomme is quick to deflect much of the credit to the rest of the Buckeyes (20-12-4 overall, 13-11-4 WCHA).
“I’m not the only one that’s being nominated,” Bonhomme said. “I wouldn’t be here without my team. I wouldn’t be able to do half the stuff I do without (junior forward Erin) Keys, or (senior defenseman Amber) Bowman or any of the girls on my team.”
“She’s representing our school so well,” senior forward Katie Maroney said. “She’s just an all-around great player and great person and I wish her well with (the nomination).”
OSU coach Jackie Barto is proud of Bonhomme’s success and believes that her nomination shows the overall strength of the program.
“Whenever you have a player nominated for that, it’s outstanding,” Barto said.
“But also, I think it’s an honor for our team. Tessa is a very good hockey player, but (her teammates) make her a better player. I don’t think you have those type of finalists unless you have a successful team.”
Bonhomme was also chosen as a member of Team Canada for the 2007 International Ice Hockey Federation World Women’s Championship, which is taking place April 3-10, in Winnipeg and Selkirk, Manitoba.
Last season, Bonhomme redshirted to play on the Canadian U-22 Team, and the time away made her appreciate the college game even more.
“It definitely made me more appreciative of things in life, even this year at Ohio State, being as spoiled as we are,” Bonhomme said. “It makes me appreciate every little bit that we get.”
While proud of all the accolades and accomplishments, Bonhomme feels that the other key defensemen on the team deserve just as much credit for them being in the WCHA Final Four. The Buckeyes will play the top-ranked Wisconsin Badgers, Saturday in Minnesota.
“As far as I’m concerned, I think (Bowman) and (junior defenseman) Lisa Chesson should have been up for the award also,” Bonhomme said. “They’ve done just as much, or even more than I have. They help me out a lot. They create a lot of offense, and have pretty much contributed to every single one of my points.”
Jon Wagner can be reached at [email protected].
