WAKEFIELD, Mass. – Former Vermont defenseman Taylor Willard '18 has been named the winner of the 2018 Sarah Devens Award, as announced by the Hockey East Association today. Willard becomes the first Catamount to win the prestigious award, and the first Hockey East player since Karen Thatcher in 2006.

Presented annually to a player who demonstrates leadership and commitment both on and off the ice, the Devens Award is a joint honor between ECAC Hockey and Hockey East and aids a deserving student-athlete with a post-graduate scholarship of $10,000. The award is named in honor of former Dartmouth women's hockey player Sarah Devens, who died in 1995 prior to her senior year.

"Taylor is one of the most impactful and genuine people I have ever coached," said head coach Jim Plumer. "She led the team by example in her work ethic, was a caring and nurturing teammate off the ice, and was able to navigate the challenges of representing her teammates and also the coaching staff."

A native of Naperville, Illinois, Willard was elected as a tri-captain of the Catamounts for her junior season in 2016-17 and serving as the sole captain of the 2017-18 squad. Willard was twice named to the All-Hockey East Second Team and was an Honorable Mention in her senior season. Willard was also named to the 2017 New England Hockey Writers' Association All-Star Team.

Averaging over 26 minutes per game in 2017-18, Willard was a key two-way player for the Catamounts as she posted four goals and 10 assists. Willard ended her career with the Catamounts tied for the most games ever played in a Vermont uniform (145) while racking up the most career points for a defenseman (62) in program history. She also ranked tied for fourth in career assists (41) and sixth in career points (62).

In the classroom, Willard was a four-time member of the Hockey East All-Academic Team and graduated with a degree in nutrition and food sciences. She received the Russell O. Sunderland Memorial Trophy at the 2018 Rally Awards, presented to the senior who has has demonstrated a high level of athletic achievement and exemplified the qualities of character, leadership and persistence in overcoming obstacles.

The Windjammer and Upper Deck Pub is the presenting sponsor of the UVM women's hockey program