CLIFTON PARK, N.Y. – Senior Elle Hartje of the Yale women's ice hockey team has been named the Mandi Schwartz Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award winner, as announced by ECAC Hockey on Friday.

The Mandi Schwartz Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award, named after Mandi Schwartz '10, a former Yale women's ice hockey player who passed away after a battle with acute myeloid leukemia in 2011, honors the student-athlete in the league who best demonstrates excellence both on the ice, in the classroom, and as a leader in the community.

Hartje is the sixth Bulldog to win the award, following Emma Seitz (2023), Lucy Burton (2020), Alyssa Zupon (2013), Aleca Hughes (2012), and Jackee Snikeris (2011). 

Hartje has been an extremely impactful member of the women's ice hockey team and instrumental in the team's success over the past four years. Along with cementing a legacy as one of the best players in Bulldogs' history, she has been a dedicated proponent of giving back to the community.

The Detroit native is majoring in political science and has an outstanding 3.92 GPA, the highest on the Bulldogs. She is a three-time AHCA Scholar All-American and three-time ECAC All-Academic Team member.

On the ice, Hartje is a two-time All-ECAC First Team selection (2021-22, 2022-23) and was named captain of the 2023-24 Bulldogs squad. Yale's all-time leader for career assists (106 at time of release), Hartje also set the school record for single season assists with 39 and was named a CCM/AHCA Second Team All-American a year ago. In the international sector, Hartje was a member of the U.S. Women's Under-18 Select Team and was an invitee to the 2022-23 USA Hockey National Festival.

Hartje also has been an active member of the community. At Yale, she is involved with the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee as well as a volunteer/advocate for abused and neglected children in foster care through the Carnival for CASA. Additionally, in her local rink in Michigan, Hartje founded a youth program (Skate to be Great) where children can learn to skate and the program provides free equipment, ice time and coaching along with a mentorship component. Hartje has also volunteered at the Mandi Schwartz bone marrow drive, promoting the drive and spreading awareness of the drive and Mandi's story.

"She will go down as one of the top players who has ever played for the Yale women's hockey team," said Mark Bolding, Susan Cavanaugh Head Coach of Women's Hockey. "I have been so fortunate to have coached hundreds of student-athletes in my coaching career – but few can compare to the overall talent, hockey IQ, and academic aptitude that Elle possesses. She is simply amazing on and off the ice."