TROY, N.Y. - The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) women's ice hockey team recently held its season-ending banquet, where the team's 2010-11 award winners were announced. Six honors were handed out by eighth-year head coach John Burke and his staff.

Earning the team's highest award, the Most Valuable Player for the second time in her career, was goaltender Sonja van der Bliek. A senior from Toronto, Ont., van der Bliek posted a 10-18-4 overall record with a 2.84 goals against average and an .893 save percentage in 32 games. She also had a shutout.

van der Bliek had a conference record of 8-12-2 and backstopped the Engineers into the ECAC Hockey Playoffs for the third straight season. She picked up a number of key victories throughout the season, including a 29-save effort in the programs' first-ever win against St. Lawrence.

A multiple record holder, van der Bliek graduates as the program's all-time single season and career leader in a combined 14 categories. She finished her career with a 52-50-15 record, boasting a 2.12 goals against average and a .915 save percentage.  

Named the 2010-11 recipient of the Bill Cahill Memorial Award was senior forward Ashley Gaylord. The award is presented annually to a player who displays high character, ability and dedication. Gaylord, a native of Claverack, N.Y., played in 41 games for Rensselaer during her career, stepping up in a number of situations when called upon.

This year's Robert Conway Scholar-Athlete Award was a tie as juniors Laura Guillemette and Kristen Jakubowski were both recognized. Guillemette, a native of Ste-Marie-de-Beauce, Que., is a business and management major, who has a 3.57 cumulative grade point average, while Jakubowski, who hails from Colorado Springs, Colo., also carries a 3.57 GPA as a biomedical engineering major. Both are multiple Dean's List and ECAC Hockey All-Academic selections.

The Engineers' Most Improved Player was sophomore defenseman Andie Le Donne, who played in 31 games this season. The Toronto, Ont., native was a strong presence on the Engineers blueline, scoring two goals, including a game-winner, with a team-best 12 assists for 14 points. She also recorded a team-high 25 blocked shots, while sending 42 shots of her own at the opposing net.

Freshman winger Jordan Smelker was this year's recipient of the inaugural Rookie of the Year Award. A native of Anchorage, Alaska, Smelker played in all 35 for the Engineers, leading all freshmen and finishing second overall in scoring with 20 points on 10 goals and 10 assists. She finished the season ranked 24th-nationally in points per game by a rookie (0.57) and eighth among ECAC Hockey freshmen.   

Also recognized was senior forward and assistant captain Sydney O'Keefe, who was the recipient of the Willie Stanton Award, which is presented annually to the player who demonstrates leadership, sportsmanship, hard work and a genuine love of the game. The Prior Lake, Minn., native appeared in all 35 games this season, tallying four goals with three assists for seven points. She wrapped-up her career with 14 goals and 17 assists for 31 points. She played in 142 games, which is tied for the most in program history.

Rensselaer concluded its season with a 10-18-7 overall record and an 8-12-2 ECAC Hockey mark. The Engineers made their third straight appearance in the league playoffs, falling to eventual conference champion and Frozen Four participant, Cornell.