CLIFTON PARK, N.Y. -- Yale women's ice hockey senior Elle Hartje added to her impressive collegiate legacy with yet another accolade. Hartje was named the winner of the 2023-24 Sarah Devens Award as announced by a joint committee of representatives from ECAC Hockey and Hockey East.

Presented annually to a player who "demonstrates leadership and commitment both on and off the ice," the Devens Award is given as a joint honor between ECAC Hockey and Hockey East and aids a deserving student-athlete with a post-graduate scholarship of $15,000. The award is named in honor of former Dartmouth Big Green ice hockey player Sarah Devens, who died in 1995 prior to her senior year.

Hartje is the fifth Yale student-athlete to be honored. Former Bulldogs standouts Jackie Snickeris, Aleca Hughes, Alyssa Zupon, and Gianna Meloni were the recipients in 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2022, respectively.

"Collegiate hockey has provided an avenue for me to pursue both my athletic and academic goals at the highest level in each. Along the way--and with the help of my coaches, teammates, peers, and family--I was fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to lead both on and off of the ice," Hartje said. "In my four years at Yale my athletic abilities have been improved, I have been able to push myself in the classroom, and I learned invaluable leadership skills that translate into every aspect of my life. My passion for hockey, love of learning, and propensity for leading have never waned."

On the ice, Hartje wrapped up her collegiate career as one of the best players in program history. She 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 points and assists, 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 a member of Team USA at the 2022-23 USA Hockey National Festival.

"Elle is a bright, fun and caring teammate, and her current 3.92 GPA and hard work in the classroom at a school like Yale is simply outstanding," said Mark Bolding, Susan Cavanaugh Head Coach of Women's Hockey. "Elle can balance her top end athletic skills with a sharp academic and scholarly focus - and does it all with a great attitude and demeanor. It is rare to have your most dynamic player and captain of the team also be the top academic leader, yet Elle has taken that on as well and has truly excelled."

At Yale, Hartje 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.

"This scholarship is going to help me continue in my pursuit of all of these things, and for that I am so grateful. I want to thank the Devens family for their generosity and assistance in helping so many women's ice hockey players pursue their dreams over the years," Hartje said. "I am so honored to join such a long, distinguished list of deserving athletes and cannot wait to embark on my next endeavor."

In addition to pursuing a professional hockey career, Hartje plans to attend law school in the future.