WATCH THE PATTY KAZMAIER AWARD CEREMONY ONLINE; PATON ONE OF THREE FINALISTS FOR THE AWARD

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- The 2010 Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award will be presented Saturday, March 20 at an award ceremony and brunch in Minneapolis, Minn. set to take place at the University of Minnesota’s McNamara Alumni Center. The ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. (Eastern).

Kelly Paton (Woodstock, Ontario), a senior forward and captain of the seventh-ranked University of New Hampshire women’s ice hockey team, was named a Top 3 Finalist by the USA Hockey Foundation on March 9. The other two finalists are Vicki Bendus (Mercyhurst College) and Noora Raty (University of Minnesota).

The 2010 Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award ceremony will be streamed live for the third straight year on PattyKaz.com. Fans all over the country will be able to watch as this year’s award recipient is announced. Check the web site shortly before 11 a.m. (Eastern) on Saturday for a link to the free broadcast.

An award of The USA Hockey Foundation, the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award recognizes the accomplishments of the most outstanding player in NCAA Division I women’s ice hockey each season. Other selection criteria include outstanding individual and team skills, sportsmanship, performance in the clutch, personal character, competitiveness and a love of hockey. Consideration will also be given to academic achievement and civic involvement.