Caroline Harvey (ice hockey)

Last updated

Caroline Harvey
Born (2002-10-14) October 14, 2002 (age 23)
Height 5 ft 8 in (173 cm)
Weight 160 lb (73 kg; 11 st 6 lb)
Position Defense
Shoots Left
WCHA team Wisconsin Badgers
National teamFlag of the United States.svg  United States
Playing career 2021present
Medal record
Olympic Games
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 2022 Beijing Team
World Championships
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2023 Canada
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2025 Czechia
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 2021 Canada
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 2022 Denmark
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 2024 United States
World U18 Championship
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2020 Slovakia
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 2019 Japan

Caroline Rose Harvey [1] (born October 14, 2002) is an American college ice hockey defenceman for Wisconsin and member of the United States women's national ice hockey team. [2] Widely regarded as one of the best defensemen in the world, Harvey was named Best Defenseman at the 2023 and 2025 World Championships, becoming only the second defenseman in history to lead the United States in points at an Olympics or World Championship. [3] [4]

Contents

Harvey made her Olympic debut at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing at age 19, winning a silver medal as the youngest player on Team USA's roster. [2] Internationally, she has won two World Championship gold medals (2023, 2025) and three silver medals (2021, 2022, 2024), and has been selected to three World Championship All-Star teams. [4] [5] [6] At the 2023 World Championship, she led the tournament in scoring with 14 points and was the first skater to lead the United States in both points and ice time at a major tournament. [3] [4]

At Wisconsin, Harvey is a two-time NCAA national champion (2023, 2025) and has set numerous program records for defensemen. [2] In her junior season (2024–25), she recorded 63 points—the most by a defenseman in a single season in Wisconsin history—and became the program's all-time leading scorer among defensemen with 137 career points. [2] Harvey has been named WCHA Defender of the Year twice (2024, 2025) and was a Top-3 finalist for the Patty Kazmaier Award in 2025. [2] She was named team co-captain for the 2024–25 season alongside Casey O'Brien. [2]

Early life

Born in Pelham, New Hampshire to Martha and David Harvey, [7] [2] Harvey was raised with her older brother, Nolan, and a younger sister, Grace. [3] She earned the nickname "KK" by those close to her because her younger sister Grace could not pronounce "Caroline" when she started talking. [3] [8] Harvey's parents took her to the ice rink as a toddler, placing her in a carrier facing the ice while her brother Nolan learned to play hockey. [3] According to her father, "Her eyes would go back and forth as an infant, and that's how she really got her first start." [3] Harvey began skating at age three and told her aunt at that age that she would make the 2022 U.S. Olympic Team in women's hockey—a prediction she would later fulfill. [8] [9]

Harvey was the only girl who wore a hockey helmet for learn-to-figure-skate lessons at the New England Sports Center in Marlborough, Massachusetts. [3] Her parents wanted her to become a sound skater before beginning hockey, reasoning that figure skaters had the best technique. [3] Once she began playing hockey, Harvey initially wore jersey number 3, the same as her brother Nolan—a number that held special significance for the family because Nolan was born premature at three pounds. [3] Harvey later switched to number 4, most associated with defensemen and famously worn by Boston Bruins legend Bobby Orr. [3] As a youth, Harvey demonstrated exceptional dedication to training. Between ages 10 and 13, she engaged in boxing training at Ramalho's West End Gym in Lowell, Massachusetts—a facility that served as a setting for the 2010 film The Fighter . [3] She impressed Dicky Eklund, the trainer portrayed by Christian Bale in the film, who described her as tenacious and said, "She hits like a truck." [3] Eklund wanted to enter Harvey in the Silver Mittens youth boxing tournament, but her mother decided against competitive boxing, though Harvey continued boxing training to improve her foot speed, hand speed, and endurance. [3] At age 12, Harvey had a boxing setup in her garage, including a speed bag, which impressed her youth hockey coach when he witnessed her dedication to off-ice training. [3]

At age 13, Harvey left home to attend Bishop Kearney High School in Rochester, New York, enrolling in the Bishop Kearney Selects hockey program. [3] [10] She played for the Selects Academy U16 team for two seasons before moving up to the U19 team. [10] Harvey became known for her exceptional work ethic, with teachers arriving early to work finding her running sprints, working in the shooting room, or completing extra workouts before school. [3] Her sprint testing numbers in her mid-teens rivaled those of veteran national team players. [3] With the Bishop Kearney Selects U19 team, Harvey won two New York state championships. [2] [11]

Playing career

College

Harvey was originally committed to play college ice hockey for the Wisconsin during the 2021–22 NCAA season but deferred to the 2022–23 NCAA season after being selected to represent team USA at the 2022 Winter Olympics. [12] [13] During the 2022–23 season, in her rookie year, she recorded 12 goals and 26 assists in 39 games. She led all WCHA rookies with 38 points. Her 38 points were the fifth most in program history by a defender and only trailed Sis Paulsen for most points as a rookie defender. Following an outstanding season, she was named to the WCHA All-Rookie team and Second Team All-WCHA and was named the WCHA Rookie of the Year. [14] [15] She was also named CCM/AHCA Second-Team All-American. [16] She became first Badger player to earn All-American honors as a freshman since Meghan Hunter during the 2000–01 season. [17] During the NCAA semifinals Harvey scored the game-winning goal in overtime against Minnesota to send Wisconsin to the championship game. [18]

External videos
Nuvola apps kaboodle.svg Spotlighting Wisconsin's Caroline Harvey, Big Ten Network

On September 18, 2024, Harvey was named team co-captain for the 2024–25 season, along with Casey O'Brien. [19] During October 2024, she led all defenders in the league with 14 points, while her 10 assists on the month ranked second among all players. She was subsequently named the WCHA Defender of the Month. [20] [21] During her junior year, she recorded 16 goals and 42 assists in 38 games. She led all defenders in the NCAA in scoring with 58 points, and recorded the most points by a defender in a season in program history. [22] [23] During conference play she recorded ten goals and 26 assists in 28 games, and was named the WCHA Defender of the Year for the second consecutive year. [24] She finished her junior year with 18 goals and 45 assists in 41 games, and helped lead Wisconsin to their eighth national championship. Her 18 goals tied a single-season program record for most goals scored by a defenceman. [25]

International play

Junior

Harvey first represented the United States at the U-18 level in 2018, when she was selected to play in the Under-18 Series. [10] She competed in two U-18 World Championships with Team USA. At the 2019 IIHF World Women's U18 Championship, Harvey won a silver medal. [2] She returned to the U-18 World Championship at the 2020 tournament, where she posted a team-high +4 plus–minus rating in five games and won a gold medal. [2] [26]

Senior

World Championships

As of 2025 and through five World Championships, Harvey has won two gold medals and three silver medals and has been named to three All-Star teams. At age 18, she was the youngest player named to the United States roster for the 2021 IIHF Women's World Championship in Calgary, Alberta. [27] She recorded one goal and two assists in six games—including her first senior-team goal—as the United States won a silver medal. [2] [27] Harvey returned to the World Championship at the 2022 tournament in Herning and Frederikshavn, Denmark, where she recorded three goals and five assists for eight points in seven games as the United States won a silver medal. [2] [28] [9]

At the 2023 IIHF Women's World Championship in Brampton, Ontario, Harvey led the tournament in scoring with four goals and ten assists for 14 points in seven games, becoming only the second defenseman in history to lead the United States in points at an Olympics or World Championship. [3] [4] She was also the first skater to lead the United States in both points and ice time at a World Championship. [3] The United States defeated Canada 6–3 in the gold medal game, with Harvey tying the game 3–3 early in the third period. [29] Harvey was subsequently named Best Defenseman of the tournament by the directorate and was selected to the All-Star team. [4] Harvey represented the United States at the 2024 IIHF Women's World Championship in Utica, New York, where she tied for the tournament lead in scoring with two goals and eight assists for ten points in seven games. [5] The United States won a silver medal, and Harvey was named to the All-Star team for the second consecutive year. [5]

At the 2025 IIHF Women's World Championship in Prague, Czech Republic, Harvey recorded two goals and two assists for four points in seven games as the United States won a gold medal. [6] She was named Best Defenseman of the tournament for the second time in her career. [6]

Olympics

In January 2022, Harvey was named to Team USA's roster for the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, China, becoming the youngest player on the team at age 19. [30] [31] The selection came at a pivotal moment, as Harvey had been prepared to enroll as a freshman at the University of Wisconsin if she did not make the Olympic roster. [9] Harvey deferred her enrollment to join the national team for the Olympics. [9]

During the Olympic tournament, Harvey was scoreless in seven games as the United States won a silver medal, falling to Canada in the gold medal game. [32] As the youngest player on the roster, Harvey struggled with confidence and finding her place among her childhood idols. [10] [3] Following the Olympics, U.S. head coach John Wroblewski had a conversation with Harvey in Denmark before the 2022 World Championship, reminding her that she had already accomplished everything a player could by age 19 and encouraging her to play aggressively without fear of mistakes. [3] Harvey's performance improved significantly in subsequent international tournaments, culminating in her Best Defenseman honors at the 2023 and 2025 World Championships.

On January 2, 2026, she was named to team USA's roster to compete at the 2026 Winter Olympics. [33]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season TeamLeagueGP G A Pts PIM GPGAPtsPIM
2022–23 Wisconsin WCHA 4013263926
2023–24 WisconsinWCHA325303512
2024–25 WisconsinWCHA4118456310
NCAA totals1143610113748

International

YearTeamEventResultGPGAPtsPIM
2019 United States U18 Silver medal icon.svg50004
2020 United StatesU18Gold medal icon.svg50002
2021 United States WC Silver medal icon.svg61230
2022 United States OG Silver medal icon.svg70002
2022 United StatesWCSilver medal icon.svg73582
2023 United StatesWCGold medal icon.svg7410146
2024 United StatesWCSilver medal icon.svg728102
2025 United StatesWCGold medal icon.svg72240
Junior totals100006
Senior totals4112273912

Awards and honors

HonorsYear
College
All-WCHA Rookie Team 2023 [14]
All-WCHA Second Team2023
WCHA Rookie of the Year2023
CCM/AHCA Hockey Second Team All-American2023 [34]
NCAA All-Tournament Team 2023 [35]
All-WCHA First Team 2024 [36]
WCHA Defender of the Year2024
CCM/AHCA Hockey First Team All-American2024 [37]
NCAA All-Tournament Team 2024 [38]
All-WCHA First Team 2025 [39]
WCHA Defender of the Year2025 [40]
NCAA All-Tournament Team 2025 [41]
International
IIHF World Women's Championship Best Defenceman 2023, 2025 [4]
[5]
[6]
IIHF World Women's Championship Media All-Star Team2023, 2024
USA Hockey
Bob Allen Women's Player of the Year Award 2023 [42]

References

  1. Team USA [@teamusa]; (November 14, 2025). "Middle of the month means it's time for @usahockey middle names 🇺🇸 #WinterOlympics" . Retrieved November 14, 2025 via Instagram.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 "Caroline Harvey". Wisconsin Badgers. Retrieved December 30, 2025.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 "Caroline Harvey willed herself to become one of the world's best hockey players". NBC Sports. April 21, 2025. Retrieved December 30, 2025.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Podnieks, Andrew (April 16, 2023). "Fillier named MVP". IIHF.com. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Podnieks, Andrew (April 14, 2024). "Edwards named MVP". IIHF.com. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Potts, Andy (April 20, 2025). "Poulin takes MVP". IIHF.com. Retrieved April 20, 2025.
  7. "Caroline Harvey - Stats, Contract, Salary & More". Elite Prospects. Retrieved December 30, 2025.
  8. 1 2 "Caroline Harvey". Team USA. Retrieved December 30, 2025.
  9. 1 2 3 4 "USA women's hockey getting younger, and Caroline Harvey is proof". ESPN. August 20, 2021. Retrieved December 30, 2025.
  10. 1 2 3 4 "Wisconsin Badgers women's hockey player Caroline Harvey continues to stand out as a young defender". The Daily Cardinal. April 16, 2024. Retrieved December 30, 2025.
  11. "Selects Academy at Bishop Kearney 19U Wins NSYAHA Championship". Pickin' Splinters. March 11, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2025.
  12. "Badgers to welcome three freshmen next fall". University of Wisconsin Badgers. December 29, 2020. Archived from the original on December 29, 2020. Retrieved August 25, 2021.
  13. "Six Badgers named to U.S. Olympic roster". University of Wisconsin Badgers. January 1, 2022. Archived from the original on January 2, 2022. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
  14. 1 2 "Harvey named WCHA Rookie of the Year". uwbadgers.com. March 1, 2023. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
  15. Stewart, Mark (March 1, 2023). "Wisconsin's Caroline Harvey goes from Olympian to WCHA rookie of the year". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel . Retrieved March 1, 2023.
  16. Harrison, AJ (March 16, 2023). "Harvey named second-team All-American". uwbadgers.com. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  17. Stewart, Mark (March 16, 2023). "Caroline Harvey is the first freshman All-American for Wisconsin women's hockey in 22 years". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel . Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  18. "Harvey Party: All-American scores overtime winner to lead UW to NCAA title game". uwbadgers.com. March 17, 2023. Retrieved March 17, 2023.
  19. "Harvey, O'Brien named captains for Badgers". uwbadgers.com. September 18, 2024. Retrieved September 18, 2024.
  20. "WCHA Announces October Players of the Month". WCHA.com. Western Collegiate Hockey Association. October 29, 2024. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
  21. "Three Badgers earn WCHA Player of the Month awards in October". UWBadgers.com. University of Wisconsin–Madison. October 30, 2024. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
  22. "Badgers win WCHA Player, Forward, Defender, Coach of the Year honors". uwbadgers.com. March 5, 2025. Retrieved March 5, 2025.
  23. Kennedy, Ian (February 21, 2025). "Caroline Harvey Sets Single Season Points Record For Wisconsin Defenders". The Hockey News . Retrieved February 21, 2025.
  24. Kallmann, Dave (March 7, 2025). "Wisconsin dominates WCHA awards with player, forward, defender and coach of the year". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel . Retrieved March 7, 2025.
  25. "Sensational Simms: Junior leads comeback to lift UW to eighth NCAA title". uwbadgers.com. March 23, 2025. Retrieved March 23, 2025.
  26. "Team USA: Caroline Harvey". USA Hockey . Archived from the original on August 26, 2021. Retrieved August 25, 2021.
  27. 1 2 "Fillier, Harvey among women's hockey's next generation". USA Today . January 31, 2022. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
  28. "Thirteen Badgers to compete at IIHF Women's World Championships". University of Wisconsin Badgers. August 19, 2021. Archived from the original on August 25, 2021. Retrieved August 25, 2021.
  29. "Caroline Harvey Can Add the Bob Allen Women's Player of the Year Award to Her Trophy Case". USA Hockey. June 2, 2023. Retrieved December 30, 2025.
  30. "Caroline Harvey '21 Makes 2022 USA Olympic Team". winter-hawks.org. January 5, 2022. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
  31. Hall, Alex (January 29, 2022). "Winter Olympics: Granite Stater Caroline Harvey preparing to live in the moment". New Hampshire Union Leader . Retrieved January 29, 2022.
  32. Stewart, Mark (September 22, 2022). "From Olympians to Badgers: Jesse Compher and Caroline Harvey are set to make an immediate impact for Wisconsin hockey". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel . Retrieved September 22, 2022.
  33. "U.S. women's hockey roster reworked; Knight set for 5th Games". ESPN.com . January 2, 2026. Retrieved January 2, 2026.
  34. "2022-23 CCM/AHCA Women's Division I All-Americans Announced". ahcahockey.com. March 16, 2023. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  35. "Lucky Seven: Badgers claim seventh National Title". uwbadgers.com. March 19, 2023. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
  36. Harrison, AJ (March 6, 2024). "Harvey and Simms earn top WCHA honors". uwbadgers.com. Retrieved March 6, 2024.
  37. "2023-24 CCM/AHCA Women's Division I All-Americans Announced". ahcahockey.com. March 23, 2024. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
  38. "Dunne Deal! Freshman's Late Snipe Nets Natty for OSU". collegehockeyinc.com. March 24, 2024. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  39. "All-WCHA Teams Announced for 2024-25". WCHA.com. March 3, 2025. Retrieved March 3, 2025.
  40. "WCHA Unveils 2024-25 Individual Award Winners". wcha.com. March 6, 2025. Retrieved March 6, 2025.
  41. "Frozen Four: Simms Delivers NCAA Title for Wisconsin". collegehockeyinc.com. March 23, 2025. Retrieved March 23, 2025.
  42. "Bob Allen Women's Player of the Year". USA Hockey . Retrieved May 29, 2024.