While we are trying to do a look at the players of Cornell hockey with the number of days until Cornell Hockey season, we would be remiss not to include senior defenseman Laura Fortino. So, even though we are much less than 77 days 'til the ladies in red take the ice for the first time this season, we need to recognize one of their most prominent players with an unusually high number.
Fortino has had a stellar career at Cornell for the past three seasons with the Red as well as on other teams. Before Cornell, she played for two years for the Canadian U18 team. She had the honor of serving as assistant captain and also brought home 2 silver medals for the Canadians. She played for Team Ontario Red serving in the same position, winning 2 gold medals for her province.
Freshman Season (2009-10)
As a freshman, Fortino had a standout first season. She played in 33 games and totaled 34 points with a career high 13 goals. On top of her incredible scoring (including a shorthanded goal in the NCAA semifinals against Mercyhurst), she was only called out on one penalty the entire year. As the only member of the Big Red to notch a point in every post-season game, it is not surprising that she also picked up back-to-back ECAC Rookie of the Week honors in January. In addition, she pulled double duty playing for Canada's U22 team in the MLP Cup winning a gold medal during the winter.
Awards were numerous for Fortino her freshman year. Most notably, she was the first player on the Cornell women's hockey team to win first-team All-America honors, ever. That alone is a record that will stand. She ranked fourth amongst rookies in the nation in scoring, and second overall for defensemen. Closing out her season, she added two more awards to her shelves: first team All-Ivy and All-ECAC honors.
Fortino has had a stellar career at Cornell for the past three seasons with the Red as well as on other teams. Before Cornell, she played for two years for the Canadian U18 team. She had the honor of serving as assistant captain and also brought home 2 silver medals for the Canadians. She played for Team Ontario Red serving in the same position, winning 2 gold medals for her province.
Freshman Season (2009-10)
As a freshman, Fortino had a standout first season. She played in 33 games and totaled 34 points with a career high 13 goals. On top of her incredible scoring (including a shorthanded goal in the NCAA semifinals against Mercyhurst), she was only called out on one penalty the entire year. As the only member of the Big Red to notch a point in every post-season game, it is not surprising that she also picked up back-to-back ECAC Rookie of the Week honors in January. In addition, she pulled double duty playing for Canada's U22 team in the MLP Cup winning a gold medal during the winter.
Awards were numerous for Fortino her freshman year. Most notably, she was the first player on the Cornell women's hockey team to win first-team All-America honors, ever. That alone is a record that will stand. She ranked fourth amongst rookies in the nation in scoring, and second overall for defensemen. Closing out her season, she added two more awards to her shelves: first team All-Ivy and All-ECAC honors.
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Sophomore Season (2010-11)
If Fortino's first season left a lot to be lived up to, she did not disappoint in her second season at all. Fortino's reputation as a defenseman who scores was only reinforced with a career-high 41 points, nine of which were goals. With 32 assists, she was the Big Red team member with the highest number of assists. She also pulled double-duty again playing for Canada in the MLP Cup earning the honor of "Most Outstanding Player" in the championship game.
And the awards just kept on coming. Fortino won her second-straight first-team All-America honors. In addition, she notched first-team All-ECAC Hockey and All-Ivy honors once more. New accolades this year included being named to the all-tournament team of the ECAC Hockey Tournament and being named the Ivy League Player of the Year. As if that were not enough, Fortino was not only a nominee for the prestigious Patty Kazmaier Award, the highest award in all of women's hockey, but she was a top 10 finalist, and the only defenseman in the list.
If Fortino's first season left a lot to be lived up to, she did not disappoint in her second season at all. Fortino's reputation as a defenseman who scores was only reinforced with a career-high 41 points, nine of which were goals. With 32 assists, she was the Big Red team member with the highest number of assists. She also pulled double-duty again playing for Canada in the MLP Cup earning the honor of "Most Outstanding Player" in the championship game.
And the awards just kept on coming. Fortino won her second-straight first-team All-America honors. In addition, she notched first-team All-ECAC Hockey and All-Ivy honors once more. New accolades this year included being named to the all-tournament team of the ECAC Hockey Tournament and being named the Ivy League Player of the Year. As if that were not enough, Fortino was not only a nominee for the prestigious Patty Kazmaier Award, the highest award in all of women's hockey, but she was a top 10 finalist, and the only defenseman in the list.
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Junior Season (2011-12)
Fortino just kept rolling in her junior year. She was once again a stellar player for the Red. While her point total dropped off ever-so-slightly (37 total points), Fortino once again pulled double duty for the Red and Team Canada. In November, she played for Team Canada in Sweden in the 4 Nations Cup. She also had a standout game in the beginning of November with a career-high four points against Syracuse.
Award-wise, her junior season was once again impressive. Fortino garnered a third-straight first-team All-American, third-straight first-team ECAC Hockey and All-Ivy honors, as well as being a second-straight Patty Kazmaier top ten finalist.
Fortino just kept rolling in her junior year. She was once again a stellar player for the Red. While her point total dropped off ever-so-slightly (37 total points), Fortino once again pulled double duty for the Red and Team Canada. In November, she played for Team Canada in Sweden in the 4 Nations Cup. She also had a standout game in the beginning of November with a career-high four points against Syracuse.
Award-wise, her junior season was once again impressive. Fortino garnered a third-straight first-team All-American, third-straight first-team ECAC Hockey and All-Ivy honors, as well as being a second-straight Patty Kazmaier top ten finalist.
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Laura Fortino has been a stellar player for the Big Red in her three seasons. With a staggering 112 points in three seasons, Fortino is poised to break 150 points with a great season and 100 assists. She is currently the Big Red player with the most points, which is astounding for a defenseman. (Though junior forward Brianne Jenner is right on her tail with 108 points in her two years). As a multiple nominee for the Kazmaier Award, perhaps Fortino could be the player to first bring it to Cornell. Her awards and play speak volumes about her, and her leadership on the ice will be something that will be a void hard to fill after this season.
But for now, we have one spectacular year left with this spectacular player. Keep your eye on 77, Laura Fortino.
But for now, we have one spectacular year left with this spectacular player. Keep your eye on 77, Laura Fortino.
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