Four players who have distinguished themselves on the ice in 2011-12 have been named finalists for the 2012 Laura Hurd Award, given annually to the best NCAA Division III women's ice hockey player in the country. The list of finalists includes two players who led their teams into the NCAA Women's Division III Ice Hockey Championship semifinals being played at Rochester Institute of Technology this weekend. They are Julie Fortier, a senior forward from Norwich and Allie Schwab, a senior forward from Gustavus Adolphus.

Sponsored by the American Hockey Coaches Association, the Hurd Award honors the memory of former Elmira College standout Laura Hurd. A 2005 graduate of Elmira, and a four-time All-American, Hurd died in an automobile accident shortly after graduation. She was the recipient of the AHCA Player of the Year Award in 2005.

The recipient of this year's Hurd Award will be announced this Thursday during the NCAA Championship Banquet at RIT.

Finalists for the 2011-12 Laura Hurd Award
AHCA Women's Ice Hockey College Division Player of the Year

Julie Fortier, Senior, Forward, Norwich (Saint Malachie, PQ)
ECAC East Player of the Year

Geneva Lloyd, Junior, Defense, Amherst (Calgary, AB)
NESCAC Player of the Year

Dani Schultz, First-Year, Forward, UW-Superior (Morris, MN)
NCHA Player of the Year

Allie Schwab, Senior, Forward, Gustavus Adolphus (Stillwater, MN)
MIAC Player of the Year