Brianna Decker

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Brianna Decker
Brianna Decker for the Wisconsin Badgers in 2013
Born (1991-05-13) May 13, 1991 (age 32)
Dousman, Wisconsin, U.S.
Height 5 ft 4 in (163 cm)
Weight 148 lb (67 kg; 10 st 8 lb)
Position Forward
Shot Right
Played for PWHPA
Calgary Inferno
Boston Pride
Boston Blades
Wisconsin Badgers
National team  United States
Playing career 2009–2023
Medal record
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place 2018 Pyeongchang Team
Silver medal – second place 2014 Sochi Team
Silver medal – second place 2022 Beijing Team
World Championships
Gold medal – first place 2011 Switzerland
Gold medal – first place 2013 Canada
Gold medal – first place 2015 Sweden
Gold medal – first place 2016 Canada
Gold medal – first place 2017 United States
Gold medal – first place 2019 Finland
Silver medal – second place 2012 United States
Silver medal – second place 2021 Canada

Brianna Decker (born May 13, 1991) is an American former professional ice hockey forward who played for the Wisconsin Badgers, Boston Blades, Boston Pride, Calgary Inferno, Professional Women's Hockey Players Association, and United States women's national ice hockey team. She won the 2012 Patty Kazmaier Award while playing for the University of Wisconsin, recognizing the best female ice hockey player in NCAA Division I play.[1] With the Boston Pride, Decker would score the first hat trick in NWHL history on October 25, 2015.

Playing career

NCAA

In her freshman season (2009–10) with the Wisconsin Badgers women's ice hockey program, Decker scored the Badgers' first goal of the season in a game against North Dakota (October 3). During the season, she accumulated seven multi-point games and four multi-goal games. She was third in team scoring despite missing almost half of the first part of the season. On September 25, 2011, Decker scored her third career hat trick in a 13–0 defeat of the Lindenwood Lady Lions ice hockey program.[2] Her 12-game winning goals during the 2010–11 season are a program record. She holds the Badgers' longest scoring streak at 32 games (February 11, 2011 to January 6, 2012). She accumulated 77 points (33 goals, 44 assists) during the streak. In her junior season, Decker won the 2012 Patty Kazmaier Award.[3]

Brianna Decker playing for Team USA in 2017

USA Hockey

She won gold at the 2009 IIHF World Women's U18 Championship. On January 28, 2011, it was announced that Decker was named to the preliminary roster for the US Women's National Team. From April 4 to 12, 2011, she was one of 30 players that took part in a selection/training camp and was named to the final roster that participated at the 2011 IIHF Women's World Championship. At the 2011 IIHF Women's World Championship, Brianna Decker was among the tournament's top five scorers. Decker's 11 points (four goals, seven assists) placed her second.[4]

In 2017, Decker was a member of the winning US team for the 2017 IIHF Women's World Championship, receiving two assists in the final against Canada.[5]

On January 2, 2022, Decker was named to Team USA's roster to represent the United States at the 2022 Winter Olympics after having been a top scorer for the team at the two previous Olympic Games and earning a silver (2014) and gold medal (2018).[6]

In the opening preliminary round 5-2 victory over Finland on February 3, Decker suffered a knee injury in the middle of the first period and was ruled out of the Olympics.[7] Decker announced her retirement from USA Hockey on March 2, 2023. She finished her career with 81 goals and 170 points in 147 games, and was fourth in IIHF Women's World Championship all-time scoring with 68 points.[8]

Professional

CWHL

Making her debut for the Boston Blades on January 17, 2015, Decker accumulated seven points (three goals, four assists) in an 11–3 win against the Brampton Thunder.[9] Decker would finish the season leading all American-born players in scoring while ranking second overall in the scoring race for the Angela James Bowl with 32 points. In addition, she tied with Blades teammate Tara Watchorn as the league leader in plus/minus rating with a +25. During the 2015 Clarkson Cup playoffs, Decker led all players in scoring while registering two goals in the championship game, a 3–2 overtime win over the Montreal Stars.

NWHL

Signing as a free agent with the Boston Pride of the National Women's Hockey League, Decker made league history on October 25, 2015. During a 5–3 road win against the Buffalo Beauts, Decker would score the first hat trick in league history. All three goals were scored against Beauts goaltender Brianne McLaughlin.

Decker was awarded Most Valuable Player consecutively by the NWHL for her performance in the 2015–16 season and 2016–17 season.[10]

Return to CWHL

On July 24, 2018, Decker and fellow Team USA gold medalist Kacey Bellamy signed as free agents with the Calgary Inferno.[11] Decker would score the game-winning goal versus Les Canadiennes de Montreal in the 2019 Clarkson Cup finals, with Bellamy gaining the assist. Of note, Decker would also be recognized as the MVP of the 2019 Clarkson Cup playoffs.

NHL

On January 25, 2019, Decker participated in the NHL All-Star Skills Competition, where she demonstrated the premier passing drill event. Her demo time of 1:06 was faster than all eight men who competed in the event. The $25,000 prize money went to Leon Draisaitl, who finished at 1:09. Ice hockey equipment manufacturer CCM announced that it would pay Decker $25,000 for achieving the fastest time.[12]

PWHPA

Decker participated in the #ForTheGame movement in connection with the PWHPA, beginning in May 2019.[13] She played for Team Johnston in PWHPA's Dream Gap exhibition tour.[14]

Skating for Team New Hampshire during the 2020–21 PWHPA season, Decker participated in a PWHPA Dream Gap Tour event at New York's Madison Square Garden on February 28, 2021, the first women's ice hockey event at the venue.[15] Playing for a team sponsored by the Women's Sports Foundation, Decker recorded two goals and two assists in a 4-3 win,[16] earning the First Star of the Game.

Coaching career

In 2024, Decker joined the USA U18 women's team as an Assistant coach.[17] She is also an Associate Head Coach for the Shattuck-St. Mary's Girls Prep team, where she previously played as a teenager.[18]

Career statistics

NCAA

Season GP G A Pts Shots Shot % PIM +/- PPG SHG GWG
2009–10 27 15 12 27 134 .112 20 +10 4 1 3
2010–11 41 34 46 80 207 .164 18 +66 7 3 12
Total 68 49 58 107 341 38 11 4 15

WCHA

Season GP G A Pts Shots Shot % PIM +/- PPG SHG GWG
2009–10 22 12 11 23 110 .109 18 +9 3 1 3
2010–11 28 23 28 51 138 .167 14 +45 3 1
Total 50 35 39 74 248 32 6 2

CWHL

= Indicates team leader
= Indicates team leader
Season GP G A Pts PIM +/- PPG SHG GWG
2014–15 12 16 16 32 10 +25 1 0 2

NWHL

Season GP G A Pts Shots Shot % PIM +/- PPG SHG
2015–16 20 19 20 39 130 .146 22 0 4 5
2016–17 21 17 22 39 122 .139 16 +20 4 1
Total 41 36 42 78 252 38 8 6

Awards and honors

NCAA

  • Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award winner (2012)[19]
  • RBK Hockey/AHCA Division I second-team All-American (2010–11)[20]
  • All-WCHA First Team (2010–11)
  • WCHA Final Face-off Most Valuable Player (2010–11)
  • All-WCHA Rookie Team (2009–10)
  • three-time WCHA Rookie of the Week (2009–10)
  • WCHA Preseason Rookie of the Year (2009–10)[21]
  • Badgers Rookie of the Year (2009–10)
  • All-WCHA Academic Team (2010–11)
  • WCHA Rookie of the Week (Week of October 5, 2009)[22]
  • 2012 Wisconsin Offensive Player of the Year Award[23]

CWHL

  • CWHL co-leader, Plus-Minus rating +25 (2014–15)
  • CWHL Scoring Leader among American-born players (2014–15)
  • 2015 CWHL Rookie of the Year Award Winner
  • 2019 Clarkson Cup Playoff MVP

IIHF

  • Inductee into the 2014 Winter Olympics for the US team

NWHL

  • Isobel Cup Playoffs Most Valuable Player Award (2016)
  • NWHL Most Valuable Player Award (2016)

References

  1. ^ "Decker wins 2012 Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award - UWBadgers.com - the Official Web Site of the Wisconsin Badgers". Archived from the original on March 19, 2012. Retrieved March 17, 2012.
  2. ^ "Badgers continue dominance, sweep Lindenwood 13-0 - UWBadgers.com - the Official Web Site of the Wisconsin Badgers". Archived from the original on July 14, 2012. Retrieved July 7, 2012.
  3. ^ USAHockey.com (March 17, 2012). "Brianna Decker Wins 2012 Kazmaier Award". Patty Kazmaier Award. Archived from the original on December 13, 2019. Retrieved April 4, 2019.
  4. ^ "Knight lifts U.S. Past Canada, 3-2 in OT, for gold - UWBadgers.com - the Official Web Site of the Wisconsin Badgers". Archived from the original on April 27, 2011. Retrieved May 28, 2011.
  5. ^ Radcliffe, JR (April 12, 2017). "Brianna Decker part of huge moment on, off ice for U.S. Women's Hockey". Lake Country Now. Archived from the original on July 23, 2017. Retrieved April 15, 2017.
  6. ^ "U.S. women with 13 returnees". International Ice Hockey Federation. January 2, 2022. Archived from the original on January 17, 2022. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
  7. ^ "Brianna Decker ruled out of Games with leg injury". Olympics.com. February 3, 2022. Archived from the original on February 5, 2022. Retrieved February 5, 2022.
  8. ^ "Brianna Decker, 3-time USA Hockey Olympian, announces retirement". ESPN. Associated Press. March 3, 2023. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
  9. ^ "Facebook". Archived from the original on January 24, 2023. Retrieved March 4, 2015.
  10. ^ Balf, Celia (March 14, 2017). "NWHL Awards recognizes the top players this season". Excelle Sports. Archived from the original on April 15, 2017. Retrieved April 14, 2017.
  11. ^ Tammy Schwass. "Inferno continue to bolster roster adding gold medalists Brianna Decker and Kacey Bellamy". SB Nation: The Ice Garden. Archived from the original on July 26, 2018. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
  12. ^ "Brianna Decker to be paid $25K by CCM for skills competition". ESPN. January 26, 2019. Archived from the original on January 27, 2019. Retrieved January 26, 2019.
  13. ^ "Brianna Decker on Twitter". January 11, 2019. Archived from the original on November 8, 2022. Retrieved January 11, 2020.
  14. ^ "Dream Gap Tour Preview: Unifor Women's Hockey Showcase". The Ice Garden. Archived from the original on January 11, 2020. Retrieved January 11, 2020.
  15. ^ Analis Bailey (February 28, 2021). "PWHPA Dream Gap Tour hits Madison Square Garden ice for historic women's game". USA Today. Archived from the original on March 2, 2021. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
  16. ^ "2021 Secret Dream Gap Tour recap: New York City". SB Nation. March 1, 2021. Archived from the original on September 16, 2021. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
  17. ^ "2024 United States Roster". IIHF International Ice Hockey Federation. Retrieved January 7, 2024.
  18. ^ "Girls Prep Hockey - Shattuck-St. Mary's School". www.s-sm.org. September 9, 2023. Retrieved April 7, 2024.
  19. ^ "UW's Decker wins Kazmaier Award". NCAA.com. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved April 6, 2018.
  20. ^ "American Hockey Coaches Association". ahcahockey.com. Archived from the original on March 14, 2012. Retrieved April 14, 2011.
  21. ^ "WCHA PRESS RELEASES". Archived from the original on January 11, 2020. Retrieved January 11, 2020.
  22. ^ http://www.wcha.com/sports/w-hockey/spec-rel/100709aaa.html [permanent dead link]
  23. ^ "Badgers draw season to a close with team banquet - UWBadgers.com - the Official Athletic Site of the Wisconsin Badgers". Archived from the original on November 3, 2014. Retrieved April 8, 2012.

External links

Awards and achievements
Preceded by Patty Kazmaier Award
2011–12 		Succeeded by
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