Following the first-ever NCAA Division 1 hockey game played inside Beaver Stadium on January 30, Kendall Butze continued to make program history against Robert Morris in Game 2.
The defenseman earned her record-breaking 85th career point after dishing a pass to Danica Maynard to record the fourth goal of the game. Butze continued to make a lasting impact throughout the season, setting a new program career-point record for a defenseman with 94.
Butze played all four years at Penn State, earning an alternate captain role as she donned the “A” in her final season.
The Cleveland, Ohio, native contributed throughout her final year for the Nittany Lions, finishing with a career-high 28 assists. This stat doesn’t come as a surprise, as Butze showcased her ability to set up plays and find open linemates for possible scoring chances throughout her time at Penn State. Her radiant energy and willingness to compete was evident from her freshman to senior year, ultimately translating into a dangerous weapon on the blue line.
“I talked about her a bunch, but she has pure joy when she plays,” coach Jeff Kampersal said. “(Butze) will play until she’s 90 years old, I can predict that. She just loves to play.”
Defender Kendall Butze (17) skates with the puck during the Women’s Frozen Four semifinals between Penn State and Wisconsin in Pegula Ice Arena on Friday, March 20, 2026 in University Park, Pa. The Badgers beat the Nittany Lions 4-3.
Matt Cropp
Bio & Metrics
Hometown: Cleveland, Ohio
DOB: 8/3/2003
Height: 5-foot-3
Shot: Left
Position: Defenseman
Career statistics
Games played: 151
Goals: 15 (6 PPG, 2 GWG)
Assists: 79
+/-: 96
Blocked shots: 155
Penalty minutes: 24
Awards
AHA All-Rookie Team (2022-23)
2x AHA Best Defenseman
2x All-AHA First Team
AHA All-Tournament Team
4x AHA Tournament Champion
Projections
Projected round drafted: 2nd round
Player comparison: Erin Ambrose
Scouting report
Butze has the majority of traits professional teams look for in a defenseman. She plays a 200-foot game and doesn’t take a shift off. Every time she is on the ice, her name is called. And whether it’s on the backcheck or forecheck, Butze doesn’t hesitate to show her speed on the ice. She can quickly join on the rush and instantly race back into position when facing an attack.
Defender Kendall Butze (17) skates with the puck during the Penn State women’s hockey game against St. Lawrence in Pegula Ice Arena on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025 in University Park, Pa. The Nittany Lions beat the Saints 3-0.
Matt Cropp
Paired with her wheels, Butze has remarkable vision matched with a high hockey IQ. She sets up scoring chances through her pass-first mentality. However, if she finds an open lane to shoot she won’t make a mistake. Whether it’s from the blue line or the slot, Butze has a precise wrist shot and sharp snap shot that can end up in the back of the net in an instant.
It doesn’t matter if it’s for a tip-in or a snipe from the point, the defenseman chooses where she wants to put the puck and it goes there seemingly every time. Her head is up every time she has possession, leading to her smart decision-making.
Defensively, Butze continues to show her elusive skating by keeping the opposing rush in front of her and suffocating the puck carrier, forcing turnovers. Being 5-foot-3, Butze has shown signs of weakness when it comes to physicality. However, her positioning and glue-like pressure often become too much for attackers, making up for the lack of aggression.
Best team fit: New York Sirens
New York lacks depth, primarily in its defensive unit. After only protecting three forwards from the new expansion teams, the Sirens are thin in the pairings.
With Sarah Fillier and Casey O’Brien leading a young, promising offense, defense becomes a top priority for the Sirens heading into the draft.
Enter Butze, a young and hungry defenseman who can learn from the likes of captain Micah Zandee-Hart on the blue line. With its disappointing 83 goals against last season, New York will look for defensive help early in the draft and may go to the well twice in the position for added help.
If that is the case, Butze will likely find herself on the third pairing as a right defenseman alongside a fellow young defender. With the possibility of the Sirens going defense-heavy in the draft, a younger unit will spend the season learning behind the older pairings.
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