This award goes to the head coach who is considered to have demonstrated the highest number of significant accomplishments over the course of the season as voted by the conference's head coaches.

In 2007-08, BU Head Coach Brian Durocher led the Terriers to their first ever WHEA playoff berth in just their third season as a conference member. He helped guide BU to 15 wins on the season while coaching First-Team All-Star goaltender Allyse Wilcox (Grand Blanc, Mich.) and Second-Team All-Star forward Melissa Anderson (Langley, B.C.). BU won the season series with BC and also played UNH and Harvard, the top-two ranked teams in the nation tough in those games.

This honor is awarded by the head coaches to one player among those nominated for consideration. A player receiving this recognition has demonstrated superior play and leadership for her team.

In 2007-08, UConn sophomore forward Dominique Thibault, who finished second in the league in scoring with 30 points (15g,15a) in league play, edged out UNH junior forward Sam Faber (Mt. Sinai, N.Y.) for top player honors. Thibault led UConn Huskies to a new program high of 22 wins this season, as they began the season with a nine-game unbeaten streak and were ranked as high as No. 8 in the national polls. Thibault started off the season strong, accruing 21 points (11g,10a) in the first 10 games. She also recorded a Huskies’ single-season school record with 47 points (23g,24a) in her sophomore campaign. She was named TPS Hockey Player of the Week four times during the season, including three consecutive weeks in October.

This award is also voted by the head coaches and is given to the first-year player who has shown skill, ability and leadership beyond that expected of a player in her rookie year. MISSION is the presenting sponsor.

In 2007-08, UNH’s freshman sensation Jenn Wakefield, who was voted unanimously by the league coaches for the top rookie award, finished the season as the WHEA Scoring Champion with 33 points in league play. She was named Mission Rookie of the Week four times this season and she was named Mission Rookie of the Month in October and February. She was one of two members of the Mission All-Rookie Team that were unanimous selections. She ranked third on the Wildcats’ roster with 41 total points. She is second on the team with a +33 plus/minus rating. She enters the WHEA Championships on a six-game point-streak. Wakefield has recorded a point in 21 of 29 games, while recording 11 multiple point performances. UNH’s top rookie has a point in nine of the last 10 games with 19 points (11g,8a) during that time..