Three Penn State Women’s Hockey Players Earn AHA Weekly Honors
Hockey Valley is the epicenter of the Penn State sports world right now.
Three members of Penn State’s women’s hockey team received major conference honors this week. Atlantic Hockey America named Tessa Janecke the Forward of the Week, Danica Maynard the Defenseman of the Week, and Katie DeSa the Goaltender of the Week, it was announced on Tuesday.
Another week, another set of weekly awards for the Nittany Lions!
— Penn State Women’s Hockey (@PennStateWHKY) October 21, 2025https://t.co/7FnQOPuwjV#WeAre #HockeyValley pic.twitter.com/T9oGz3v3ad
Janecke was unstoppable in their series sweep over No. 15 Mercyhurst. The Orangeville, Illinois native, recorded a goal and an assist in both games. The senior also won more than 68% of her faceoffs in the series. This marks the ninth time Janecke has won the award, which is the most in program history.
Maynard has won Defenseman of the Week in back-to-back weeks. Maynard had a four-point weekend, including a three-point game in the team’s 3-0 win on Friday. The freshman’s +6 rating in the series propelled her into a tie for the national lead in plus/minus with +17. Her 13 points on the year not only lead the team, but are also tied for the national lead among defenders.
DeSa continued her already strong season in front of the goal this weekend. The senior earned both wins for the Nittany Lions, including her third shutout of the season. It ties her for second place nationally amongst goaltenders. The Pawcatuck, Connecticut native, has only let up one goal on 35 shots so far this season and has boosted her season save percentage to .935.
With such star power, it’s no wonder Penn State women’s hockey is ranked No. 6 in the country in the latest USCHO poll. The team is comfortably in first place in the AHA conference.
Penn State will look to continue its undefeated season this weekend when it takes on Lindenwood for a two-game series. The games will take place at 2 p.m. on Friday, October 24, and at 1 p.m. on Saturday, October 25. Both games will be at Pegula Ice Arena and will be streamed on Big Ten Plus.
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