Jillian Dempsey and Allie Thunstrom Share NWHL Most Valuable Player Award for 2019-20
March 5, 2020 - Premier Hockey Federation (PHF) News Release
A tie in the voting has resulted in a pair of deserving players from the league's top two teams sharing this season's NWHL Most Valuable Player Award: Jillian Dempsey of the Boston Pride, and Allie Thunstrom of the Minnesota Whitecaps. Dempsey led the league in scoring, while Thunstrom was first in goals. Dempsey's linemate McKenna Brand finished third in the voting for MVP.
On Sunday, Thunstrom and the Whitecaps host the Riveters in one Isobel Cup Semifinal at 12:30 p.m. CT at TRIA Rink in Saint Paul. Dempsey and the Pride host the other Semifinal on Sunday at 2:30 p.m. ET at Warrior Ice Rink against the winner of the Buffalo-Connecticut Play-In Game on Friday night.
Here are some of the achievements by Dempsey and Thunstrom this season:
Jillian Dempsey
Led the NWHL in scoring with 40 points (17 goals, 23 assists) in 24 games. Became the first player in NWHL history to reach 40 points in a single NWHL season.
2020 NWHL All-Star captain led the league in primary points scored at even strength (29), assists (23) and primary assists (17). Finished second in the league in game-winning goals (4) and was one of six skaters to score a goal at even strength, on the power play, and while shorthanded.
Had 15 multi-point games and points in 21 of her 24 games.
Led the league with a 62.4 percent success rate in faceoffs, finishing the season with 342 faceoff wins - an NWHL single-season record.
Allie Thunstrom
Established a new NWHL record for goals in a season (24) and finished second in the league in scoring with 36 points (24 goals, 12 assists) in 24 games.
Set NWHL record by scoring 19 of her 24 goals at even strength.
Led Whitecaps in primary points (33) and was tied for team lead in scoring with Jonna Curtis.
Shared team lead in game-winning goals with Haylea Schmid (3).
Recorded nine consecutive multi-point games between Jan. 11 and Feb. 29. Never went more than two games without recording a point.
2020 NWHL All-Star and winner of the Fastest Skater event at NWHL All-Star Skills Challenge.
Premier Hockey Federation Stories from March 5, 2020
- Jillian Dempsey and Allie Thunstrom Share NWHL Most Valuable Player Award for 2019-20 - PHF
- Boston's Lovisa Selander Wins NWHL Goaltender of the Year Award - Boston Pride
- Kate Leary of the Riveters Is Named NWHL Newcomer of the Year - Metropolitan Riveters
- Kaleigh Fratkin of the Boston Pride Named NWHL's Defender of the Year - Boston Pride
- It's Isobel Cup Or Bust for Lexi Bender, Pride - Boston Pride
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