Minneapolis, Minn. – Colgate women's hockey forward Danielle Serdachny was announced as one of 18 nominees for the Hockey Humanitarian Award, presented annually to college hockey's finest citizen for the last 29 years, the Foundation announced Wednesday. 

"Danielle is not just a phenomenal player on the ice, but an exemplary figure off it," Head Women's Hockey Coach Greg Fargo said. "She's extremely dedicated to the sport, and is committed to growing the game and making it better for the next generation of young girls."

Behind Serdachny's leadership, over 100 young girls have worked directly with Colgate's women's squad during the past two seasons as a part of the Rising Raiders youth mentorship program. Each year, members of the Colgate women's hockey team are connected with local skaters aged 6-14. The goal of the program is to provide mentorship opportunities and role models for these young girls to look up to as they grow into the next generation of women hockey players.

The Rising Raiders have several opportunities throughout the hockey season to connect with their mentors, beginning with a kick-off ceremony where youth players meet the Colgate student-athlete they are paired with for the year.

Each Rising Raider then selects a home game to attend as either a Manager or Raider of the Day, where they watch warm-ups from the bench, help arrange sticks for the game, and even get announced with the starting lineups after they meet the team in the locker room.

Lastly, through Serdachny's Rising Raiders program, the Colgate women's hockey team plans and executes several on-ice clinics throughout the season. The Rising Raiders can change in the team locker room, learn from the college players on the ice, and perhaps most importantly, have the chance to connect, inspire, and build lasting relationships that transcend far beyond the program. 

Serdachny also champions the Neurodiversity Inclusive Skates Program and is a key figure in planning Colgate's annual neurodiversity and autism awareness game.

With Inclusive Skates, Danielle and the rest of her teammates invite residents of Pathfinder Village to hit the ice and learn to skate in the weeks leading up to the autism awareness game, being held on Jan. 26 this year. Serdachny also plans other hockey-themed events throughout the year in conjunction with Pathfinder Village, a community where people who have down syndrome and other developmental disabilities discover their value and talents, and share these gifts with others.

"Danielle's impact reaches deep into the community and well beyond the rink, setting a remarkable example and providing a space for girls to enjoy our great game and everything that comes with it," Fargo said. "All of us at Colgate are incredibly proud of her and believe she represents the best of college hockey – in all aspects of the scholar-athlete."

Finalists for the 2024 Hockey Humanitarian Award will be announced in February. The 2024 recipient will then be awarded on Friday, April 12 during the NCAA Men's Frozen Four weekend in St. Paul, Minn.