Karen Elizabeth Thatcher (born February 29, 1984) is an American ice hockeyforward. She was named to the United States women's ice hockey team for the 2010 Winter Olympics.[1]
She was employed as a physical therapy student assistant at Dodd Rehabilitation Hospital at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. She is now a Doctor of Physical Therapy at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in sports medicine and rehabilitation, and working to complete her PhD.
In 2017, she received the "Mary McMillan Scholarship" Award from the American Physical Therapy Association, an honor give to individuals with "superior scholastic ability and measurable potential for future contributions to both the physical therapy profession and the American Physical Therapy Association." She also received the 2017 "Outstanding Student Award" from the Sports Section of the American Physical Therapy Association.
Thatcher transferred to the Providence Friars after spending the 2002–03 season with the Brown Bears. In her sophomore year, she tied for fourth on the Friars in points (she had 10 goals and 27 points). She was honored as Hockey East's sportsmanship award winner. In her junior year, Thatcher scored 58 points (25 goals, 33 assists). She was co-Hockey East Player of the Year (shared the honor with New Hampshire Wildcats player Stephanie Jones).
As a senior, Thatcher was the Friars scoring leader, and was a Top 10 candidate for the Patty Kazmaier Award. In addition, she was the team captain. For her NCAA career, she accumulated 167 points in 132 games played. During her time with the Friars, the team won Hockey East tournament championships in both 2004 and 2005.[2] Thatcher is 10th on the Friars' all-time scoring list.
Two-time member of the U.S. Women's National Team for the International Ice Hockey Federation World Women's Championship (gold-2008-09). Named to the team in 2007, but missed the tournament due to injury
Three-time member of the U.S. Women's Select Team for the Four Nations Cup (1st-2008, 2nd-2006-07)
Member of the U.S. Women's Select Team in 2008-09
Three-time member of the U.S. Women's Under-22 Select Team for the Under-22 Series with Canada (2002–04)
Five-time USA Hockey Women's National Festival participant (2003–04, 2007–09)
United States
