A pair of women’s hockey Buckeyes have earned recognition recently for their notable efforts. Julia McKinnon was named the WCHA’s offensive player of the week for her contributions in the Minnesota State series. Cara Zubko’s fine work both on the ice and in the community garnered a nomination for the Hockey Humanitarian Award.
| week | women's hockey | accolades |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Maddy Field, Fr. F | Winner, WCHA Rookie of the Week |
| 2 | Kendall Curtis, Sr. F | Honorable mention, WCHA Offensive Player of the Week |
| 5 | Lauren Boyle, Fr. D | Winner, WCHA Rookie of the Week |
| 5 | Claudia Kepler, Jr. F | Honorable mention, WCHA Offensive Player of the Week |
| 18 | Cara Zubko, Sr. D | Nominee, 2016 Hockey Humanitarian Award |
| 19 | Julia McKinnon, Sr. F | Winner, WCHA Offensive Player of the Week |
| 19 | Jessica Dunne, So. D | Honorable mention, WCHA Defensive Player of the Week |
McKinnon was a huge factor in Ohio State’s five point weekend at Minnesota State. The senior forward notched an assist in Friday’s tie and shootout win. She broke out for two goals and two assists in the Bucks’ 8-3 victory in the series finale.
The four points were a single-game career high for the all-around asset. McKinnon played a significant number of games on defense, helping to shore up the shorthanded defense. Fortunately for the Buckeyes’ offense, the D is getting healthy so McKinnon is back to the forward corps and her scoring ways.
Zubko is in the midst of a career season. The Buckeye defenseman boasts four goals and eleven assists. She has a combined five scholar-athlete awards to her name, earned from both Ohio State and the WCHA.
In addition to excelling on the ice and in the classroom, Zubko is heavily involved in community and leadership activities. It’s only natural she would be nominated for the 2016 Hockey Humanitarian Award, given yearly to college hockey’s finest citizen.
The senior blue-liner has been involved in OSU’s Student-Athlete Advisory Board, liaising between varsity student-athletes and the athletic department. She is the primary contact between the Ohio State women’s hockey team and its Team Impact match, Erin. Zubko has also participated in the Coach for College program, teaching underprivileged children in rural Vietnam, and Second and 7, which offers the opportunity to travel to local elementary schools to read to students.
The nomination comes as no surprise to head coach Jenny Potter:
“Cara is a very deserving candidate as she has a big heart and is very giving. She has been a big sister to Erin, our Team Impact player, as well as a leader on our team.”
McKinnon and Zubko, along with Jessica Dunne (honorable mention for the WCHA’s defensive player of the week) and the rest of the Buckeyes are back in action this week. Ohio State travels to Minnesota-Duluth for a pair of games. Opening faceoffs are set for 8pm ET on Friday and 5pm ET on Saturday.
