Izzy Daniel is the reigning Patty Kazmaier Award winner as the NCAA's top player. It's an honor that paves her way to the PWHL, but what will keep her there is Daniel's two-way ability.
Izzy Daniel is the reigning Patty Kazmaier Award winner as the NCAA's top player. It's an honor that paves her way to the PWHL, but what will keep her there is Daniel's two-way ability.
Izzy Daniel is one of the top prospects available for the PWHL Draft. When it comes to NCAA prospects, few stand out more than Daniel who was named the NCAA's top player this season winning the Patty Kazmaier Award.
Going back a decade, every winner of the award is currently playing in the PWHL including Taylor Heise, Aerin Frankel, Ann-Renee Desbiens, Jamie Lee Rattray, Sophie Jaques, Darly Watts, Elizabeth Giguere, Kendall Coyne Schofield, Alex Carpenter, Loren Gabel, and Elizabeth Giguere.
It's an impressive group to join for the now former Cornell captain.
Daniel's stats, a 21 goal, 59 point performance in 34 games are impressive, but it's her intangibles that set her apart from other players on the list. Daniel is an intelligent hockey player who sees the ice well and elevates the play of those around her.
Daniel is also a capable two-way player, providing back pressure, taking away sticks and lanes, and being able to now only play the powerplay, but she can kill penalties and be relied upon in the final minutes of a period or game in a shut down role as well.
Her leadership on and off the ice was another attribute highlighted in her Patty Kazmaier campaign, and although some players with IIHF experience may usurp her in the draft order, Daniel is a low risk pick who will be a positive addition to any lineup and locker room. It's her skill that will earn her a high draft position, it's her intangibles that will keep Izzy Daniel in the PWHL for years.