Kirsten Simms Explained

Kirsten Simms
Birth Date:31 August 2004
Birth Place:Plymouth, Michigan, United States
Position:Forward
Shoots:Right
Height Ft:5
Height In:6
League:WCHA
Team:University of Wisconsin
Sex:f
Ntl Team:United States
Career Start:2022

Kirsten Simms (born August 31, 2004) is an American college ice hockey forward for the University of Wisconsin of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and member of the United States women's national ice hockey team.

Playing career

Simms began her collegiate career for the University of Wisconsin during the 2022–23 season.[1] During her freshman season, she led all freshman in goals with 16 goals and 16 assists in 41 games. She was named the WCHA Rookie of the Month for the month of December 2022, after she recorded seven points in five games during the month.[2] She scored the game-winning goal against Ohio State during the National Championship game at the 2023 NCAA Division I women's ice hockey tournament, helping Wisconsin win their seventh National Championship.[3] She was subsequently named to the NCAA All-Tournament Team.[4] Following the season she was named to the USCHO All-Rookie Team and WCHA All-Rookie Team.[5] [6]

During the 2023–24 season, her sophomore season, she led the nation in scoring with 36 goals and 39 assists in 36 games for 71 points.[7] Her 1.97 points per game led the NCAA, and ranked top-ten in program history. She led Wisconsin with nine game-winning goals, which ranked second in the NCAA. Following an outstanding season, she was named to the All-WCHA first team, and named WCHA Forward of the Year and Player of the Year.[8] She was also named a top-three finalist for the Patty Kazmaier Award.[9]

International play

Simms represented the United States at the 2020 IIHF World Women's U18 Championship where she recorded two assists in five games and won a gold medal. She again represented the United States at the 2022 IIHF World Women's U18 Championship, where she served as alternate captain and recorded five assists in five games and won a silver medal.[10] [1]

Simms made her senior level international debut at the 2024 IIHF Women's World Championship where she scored two goals and two assists in seven games and won a silver medal.[11]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular seasonPlayoffs
SeasonTeamLeagueGPGAPtsPIMGPGAPtsPIM
2022–23University of WisconsinWCHA4116163225
2023–24University of WisconsinWCHA3933427524
NCAA totals80495810749

International

YearTeamEventResultGPGAPtsPIM
2020United StatesU1850224
2022United StatesU1850552
2024United StatesWC722427
Junior totals100776
Senior totals722427

Awards and honors

HonorsYear
College
USCHO All-Rookie Team2023
NCAA All-Tournament Team2023
WCHA All-Rookie Team2023[12]
All-WCHA First Team2024
WCHA Player of the Year2024[13]
WCHA Forward of the Year2024
CCM/AHCA First Team All-American2024[14]
NCAA All-Tournament Team2024[15]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Kirsten Simms Bio . uwbadgers.com . March 24, 2024.
  2. Web site: Simms named WCHA Rookie of the Month . uwbadgers.com . January 3, 2023 . March 17, 2024.
  3. Web site: Wisconsin women's hockey blanks Ohio State to win its 7th national title . . Mark . Stewart . March 20, 2023 . March 17, 2024.
  4. Web site: Lucky Seven: Badgers claim seventh National Title . uwbadgers.com . March 19, 2023 . March 17, 2024.
  5. Web site: 2022-23 All-WCHA Teams Announced . wcha.com . February 23, 2023 . March 17, 2024.
  6. Web site: Women’s Division I College Hockey: 2022-23 All-USCHO Teams . uscho.com . Nicole . Haase . March 31, 2023 . March 17, 2024.
  7. Web site: Badgers women enter hockey playoffs with No. 1 scorer in NCAA . . Mike . Lucas . March 15, 2024 . March 17, 2024.
  8. Web site: Wisconsin hockey players Kirsten Simms, Caroline Harvey earn top honors from WCHA . . Mark . Stewart . March 6, 2024 . March 17, 2024.
  9. Web site: Thursday's hockey: Plymouth's Kirsten Simms one step from top collegiate award . . March 14, 2024 . March 17, 2024.
  10. Web site: U18 Women’s Hockey Worlds: After long wait, ‘relentless’ U.S. team is ready to play . nbcsports.com . Alex . Azzi . June 6, 2022 . March 17, 2024.
  11. Web site: Kennedy . Ian . USA Names 2024 World Championship Roster, Plenty of New Faces . thehockeynews.com . The Hockey News . March 31, 2024 . March 31, 2024.
  12. Web site: Nine Badgers honored on All-WCHA Teams . uwbadgers.com . February 29, 2024 . March 17, 2024.
  13. Web site: Simms named WCHA Player of the Year . uwbadgers.com . March 7, 2024 . March 17, 2024.
  14. Web site: Harvey, O’Brien and Simms earn First-Team All-American honors . uwbadgers.com . University of Wisconsin . March 24, 2024 . March 23, 2024.
  15. Web site: Dunne Deal! Freshman’s Late Snipe Nets Natty for OSU . collegehockeyinc.com . March 24, 2024 . March 24, 2024.