CLIFTON PARK, N.Y. — The Sarah Devens Award committee announced Thursday that the 2023-24 award would be presented to Yale senior captain Elle Hartje.
Presented annually to a player who "demonstrates leadership and commitment both on and off the ice," the Devens Award is given as a joint honor between ECAC Hockey and Hockey East and aids a deserving student-athlete with a post-graduate scholarship of $15,000. The award is named in honor of former Dartmouth Big Green ice hockey player Sarah Devens, who died in 1995 prior to her senior year.
The 29th recipient of the award, Hartje is the fifth Yale student-athlete to be honored. Former Bulldogs standouts Jackie Snickeris, Aleca Hughes, Alyssa Zupon, and Gianna Meloni were the recipients in 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2022, respectively.
On the ice, Hartje is a two-time All-ECAC First Team selection (2021-22, 2022-23) and was named captain of the 2023-24 Bulldogs squad. Yale's all-time leader for career assists (106 at time of release), Hartje also set the school record for single season assists with 39 and was named a CCM/AHCA Second Team All-American a year ago. In the international sector, Hartje was a member of the U.S. Women's Under-18 Select Team and was a member of Team USA at the 2022-23 USA Hockey National Festival.
At Yale, Hartje is involved with the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee as well as a volunteer/advocate for abused and neglected children in foster care through the Carnival for CASA. Additionally, in her local rink in Michigan, Hartje founded a youth program (Skate to be Great) where children can learn to skate and the program provides free equipment, ice time and coaching along with a mentorship component. Hartje has also volunteered at the Mandi Schwartz bone marrow drive, promoting the drive and spreading awareness of the drive and Mandi's story.
In addition to pursuing a professional hockey career, Hartje plans to attend law school in the future.
QUOTABLES
Elle Hartje: "Collegiate hockey has provided an avenue for me to pursue both my athletic and academic goals at the highest level in each. Along the way--and with the help of my coaches, teammates, peers, and family--I was fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to lead both on and off of the ice. In my four years at Yale my athletic abilities have been improved, I have been able to push myself in the classroom, and I learned invaluable leadership skills that translate into every aspect of my life. My passion for hockey, love of learning, and propensity for leading have never waned. This scholarship is going to help me continue in my pursuit of all of these things, and for that I am so grateful. I want to thank the Devens family for their generosity and assistance in helping so many women's ice hockey players pursue their dreams over the years. I am so honored to join such a long, distinguished list of deserving athletes and cannot wait to embark on my next endeavor!"
Mark Bolding, Yale Head Coach: "Elle is a bright, fun and caring teammate. Her current 3.92 GPA and hard work in the classroom at a school like Yale is simply outstanding. Elle can balance her top end athletic skills with a sharp academic and scholarly focus - and does it all with a great attitude and demeanor. It is rare to have your most dynamic player and captain of the team also be the top academic leader, yet Elle has taken that on as well and has truly excelled."
Jay Judge, Yale Deputy Director of Athletics, External Relations: "From the first day I met Elle I knew she was an amazing hockey player and person, but to then see that she is exceptional in the classroom was no surprise. Whether on the ice or in the classroom, Elle gives one hundred and ten percent every time."
Past recipients of the award include: 1997 -- Kathryn Waldo (F), Northeastern; 1998 -- Sarah Hood (F), Dartmouth; 1999 -- Jamie Totten (D), Northeastern; 2000 -- Carrie Jokiel (F), New Hampshire; 2001 -- Christina Sorbara (F), Brown; 2002 -- Dianna Bell (F), Cornell; 2003 -- Rachel Barrie (G), St. Lawrence; 2004 -- Lindsay Charlebois (F), St. Lawrence; 2005 -- Nicole Corriero (F), Harvard; 2006 -- Karen Thatcher (F), Providence; 2007 -- Lindsay Williams (F), Clarkson; 2008 -- Lizzie Keady (F), Princeton; 2009; -- Marianna Locke (F), St. Lawrence; 2010 -- Laura Gersten (F), Rensselaer; 2011 -- Jackee Snikeris (G), Yale; 2012 -- Aleca Hughes (F), Yale; 2013 -- Alyssa Zupon (F), Yale; 2014 — Vanessa Gagnon (F), Clarkson; 2015 — Chelsea Laden (G), Quinnipiac; 2016 — Alison Rolandelli (D), Brown; 2017 — Paula Voorheis (G), Cornell; 2018 — Taylor Willard (D), Vermont; 2019 — Kenzie Lancaster (F), Quinnipiac; 2020 — Sammy Davis (F), Boston U.; 2021 — Grace Markey (F), Quinnipiac; 2022 - Gianna Meloni (G), Yale; 2023 - Carly Beniek (F), Holy Cross and Kate Reilly (D), Quinnipiac