Karen Thatcher

Karen Elizabeth Thatcher (born February 29, 1984) is an American ice hockey forward. She was named to the United States women's ice hockey team for the 2010 Winter Olympics.[1]

Karen Thatcher
Born (1984-02-29) February 29, 1984
Bryn Mawr, PA, USA
Height 5 ft 8 in (173 cm)
Position Forward
Hockey East
WWHL

CWHL team		 Providence
British Columbia Breakers (2006-07)
Minnesota Whitecaps (2008-09)
Vaughan Flames (2007-08)
Boston Blades (2010-13)
National team  United States
Playing career 2002–2013
Medal record
Representing  United States
Women's ice hockey
Olympic Games
Silver medal – second place 2010 Vancouver Tournament
IIHF World Women's Championships
Gold medal – first place 2008 China Tournament
Gold medal – first place 2009 Finland Tournament
Women's 4 Nations Cup
Gold medal – first place 2011 Sweden Tournament

Personal life

Thatcher was born in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, but grew up in Douglas, Massachusetts. She graduated from Providence College in 2006 with a bachelor's degree in biology.

She was employed as a physical therapy student assistant at Dodd Rehabilitation Hospital at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. She is now a Doctor of Physical Therapy at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in sports medicine and rehabilitation, and working to complete her PhD.

In 2017, she received the "Mary McMillan Scholarship" Award from the American Physical Therapy Association, an honor give to individuals with "superior scholastic ability and measurable potential for future contributions to both the physical therapy profession and the American Physical Therapy Association." She also received the 2017 "Outstanding Student Award" from the Sports Section of the American Physical Therapy Association.

Playing career

NCAA

Thatcher transferred to the Providence Friars after spending the 2002–03 season with the Brown Bears. In her sophomore year, she tied for fourth on the Friars in points (she had 10 goals and 27 points). She was honored as Hockey East's sportsmanship award winner. In her junior year, Thatcher scored 58 points (25 goals, 33 assists). She was co-Hockey East Player of the Year (shared the honor with New Hampshire Wildcats player Stephanie Jones).

As a senior, Thatcher was the Friars scoring leader, and was a Top 10 candidate for the Patty Kazmaier Award. In addition, she was the team captain. For her NCAA career, she accumulated 167 points in 132 games played. During her time with the Friars, the team won Hockey East tournament championships in both 2004 and 2005.[2] Thatcher is 10th on the Friars' all-time scoring list.

WWHL and CWHL

She played for the British Columbia Breakers of the Western Women's Hockey League (WWHL) in 2006–07. Statistically, she led the team and ranked 10th in the league with 36 points (19-17) in 26 games. The following year, she joined the Vaughan Flames of the Canadian Women's Hockey League and helped the team to the inaugural CWHL championship. In 2008–09, she returned to the WWHL and helped lead the Minnesota Whitecaps to the league championship.[3]

Team USA
  • Two-time member of the U.S. Women's National Team for the International Ice Hockey Federation World Women's Championship (gold-2008-09). Named to the team in 2007, but missed the tournament due to injury
  • Three-time member of the U.S. Women's Select Team for the Four Nations Cup (1st-2008, 2nd-2006-07)

Member of the U.S. Women's Select Team in 2008-09

  • Three-time member of the U.S. Women's Under-22 Select Team for the Under-22 Series with Canada (2002–04)
  • Five-time USA Hockey Women's National Festival participant (2003–04, 2007–09)

Career stats
SeasonGamesGoalsAssistsPointsPPGSHG
2003-20043310172731
2004-200532253358131
2005-20063518294774
Career 100 43 79 132 23 6

[4]

Coaching career

On August 20, 2010, the Providence Friars women's ice hockey program announced that Thatcher had been named as an assistant coach for the Friars.[5]

Professional career

Thatcher works in sports medicine physical therapy for Ohio State University.

Awards and honors
  • Providence Hockey East All-Decade Team[6]
  • Most Valuable Player, Pool B, 2007 Esso Canadian Women's Nationals[7]
  • Top Forward, Pool B, 2007 Esso Canadian Women's Nationals
  • Top 10 Finalist, 2006 Patty Kazmaier Award[3]
  • 2004 HOCKEY EAST Sportsmanship Award [8]
  • HOCKEY EAST Player of the Week Honors two times (11/8/04), and (1/31/05)
  • Named to the 2002-03 ECAC All-Rookie Team
  • Boston Bruins John Carlton Award in 2002
  • Hockey East 10th Anniversary Team selection[9]

References
  1. Bachman, Rachel (February 10, 2010). "2010 Winter Olympics: Karen Thatcher, hockey". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon: Oregonian Media Group. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  2. "Karen Thatcher wins prestigious Sarah Devens Award" (PDF). Hockey East. April 11, 2006. Retrieved 11 May 2010.
  3. Hergott, Jeremiah (May 26, 2010). "Colgate Hires Olympian Karen Thatcher as Assistant Women's Ice Hockey Coach". Madison County Courier. Wampsville, New York: M3P Media LLC. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  4. "Karen Thatcher: Career Statistics". uscho.com. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  5. "Karen Thatcher Named Assistant Women's Ice Hockey Coach". friars.com. August 20, 2010. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  6. "Women's Ice Hockey Announces Its Hockey East Tenth-Anniversary Team". friars.com. December 22, 2011. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  7. "Award Winners announced at Esso Women's Nationals". Hockey Canada. March 8, 2007. Retrieved 25 November 2010.
  8. "Karen Thatcher profile". friars.com. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  9. "League Announces 12-Member 10th Anniversary Team". Hockey East Press Releases. February 29, 2012. Archived from the original on May 1, 2013. Retrieved July 7, 2012.
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