MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – Junior captain Vicki Bendus of the Mercyhurst College women's hockey was named the winner of the 2010 Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award Saturday morning at a brunch held at the University of Minnesota's McNamara Alumni Center. 

An award of the USA Hockey Foundation, the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award is presented annually to the top player in NCAA Division I women's ice hockey. Selection criteria for the award includes outstanding individual and team skills, sportsmanship, performance in the clutch, personal character, competitiveness and a love of hockey.
 
This is the first time a Mercyhurst player has won the award, and the fourth-straight year a Laker has been a top-three finalist.

Bendus, a forward from Wasaga Beach, Ontario, joins a list of accomplished players that have gone on to capture numerous collegiate championships and represent their respective countries on the national stage. Most recent winners include Jessie Vetter (Wisconsin), Sarah Vaillancourt (Harvard) and Julie Chu (Harvard). 

Bendus helped the Lakers to a 30-3-3 record and their second appearance at the NCAA Women's Frozen Four this season. She recorded 28 goals and 37 assists for 65 points and ranked in the top-5 in several national categories, including in points per game and assists per game.