Kiara Zanon
Kiara Zanon is an American professional ice hockey player for the Toronto Sceptres of the Professional Women's Hockey League and member of the United States women's national ice hockey team. She played college ice hockey at Penn State [Nittany Lions women's ice hockey|Penn State] and Ohio State.
Playing career
Zanon began her collegiate career for Penn State during the 2020–21 season. During her freshman year, she recorded 10 goals and 20 assists in 21 games. She led the team in points with 30, and led all rookies in the country in points, points per game, assists, and assists per game. She set a program single-season record with a +23 plus–minus rating and a program best nine multi-point games. She was named College Hockey America Rookie of the Month three consecutive months in December 2020, January 2021 and February 2021. She was also named the Hockey Commissioners Association Women's National Rookie of the Month in December 2020. Following an outstanding season, she was named to the CHA All-First Team, and All-Rookie Team. She was also awarded the CHA Player of the Year, CHA Rookie of the Year, and the Women's Hockey Commissioners Association National Rookie of the Year. She was also named a Second Team CCM/AHCA All-American and a top-ten finalist for the Patty Kazmaier Award, becoming the first Nittany Lion player to achieve this honor in program history.During the 2021–22 season in her sophomore year, she recorded thirteen goals and 26 assists in 33 games. She ranked second in the CHA in points with 39, and led the CHA in assists with 26. Following the season was named to the CHA All-First Team.
On June 1, 2022, Zanon was named a co-captain of the Nittany Lions for the 2022–23 season. On December 4, 2022, Zanon recorded her first career hat-trick in a game against Syracuse, as Penn State set a program record for the most goals scored in a single game. On January 13, 2023, Zanon recorded her 100th career point, becoming the fourth Nittany Lion in program history to reach the milestone. She also became the fastest player in program history to reach the milestone.
On May 1, 2023, Zanon announced she would transfer to Ohio State for the 2023–24 season. During her senior year, she recorded 14 goals and 27 assists in 39 games, and helped lead the Buckeyes to their second national championship in program history. During the 2024–25 she recorded 12 goals and 20 assists in 40 games. She finished her collegiate career with 75 goals and 116 assists in 171 games, averaging over a point per game in five NCAA seasons.