NH's Harvey balances starring roles with Wisconsin, Team USA women's hockey teams
Caroline “KK” Harvey compared the balancing act to alternating between hats.
The New Hampshire native is a star defenseman for both the defending NCAA Division I champion University of Wisconsin women’s hockey team and the U.S. Women’s National Hockey Team.
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The No. 1 ranked Badgers are in the middle of a two-game weekend series at No. 2 Ohio State University — a rematch of the last two national title games. The teams played on Friday and will again on Saturday (3 p.m.).
Harvey, Wisconsin’s senior captain, then has Team USA duties next week.
The Americans will play Team Canada at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, on Wednesday night (9) and Saturday night (9) to conclude the 2025 Rivalry Series.
“When I’m there (with Team USA), it’s like taking a cap off and putting another one on to flip your mindset,” said Harvey, who lived in both Salem and Pelham growing up.
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Before joining the Badgers for the 2022-23 season, Harvey played for Team USA in the 2022 Beijing Winter Games. She also represented the U.S. in the past five International Ice Hockey Federation World Championships, helping the team win two gold and three silver medals.
At Wisconsin, Harvey recorded 174 career points (45 goals, 129 assists) in her first 135 games.
Harvey led the nation in points (37) and assists (28) entering the Ohio State series. She was the WCHA Defender of the Year and a top-three finalist for the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award after posting 63 points (18 goals, 45 assists) last season.
The Badgers lost 1-0 to Ohio State in the 2024 national title game, played at the University of New Hampshire, before besting the Buckeyes 4-3 in overtime in last year’s rematch.
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“I think KK is just so gifted and has so much raw talent,” said Team USA star forward and Wisconsin graduate Hilary Knight, a former Hanover resident. “Coming into our program and watching her grow (at) the University of Wisconsin, I think the more reps she gets, she’s going to be even more lethal than she was before.”
Harvey said her confidence, patience and poise have grown over her college career. She has learned how to dictate the play, whether that means changing pace, taking open ice when it’s there or not forcing a pass.
While she prefers to be a playmaker, Harvey has been more of a scorer than usual for the Badgers this year.
Entering the Ohio State series, Harvey was halfway to her single-season career-high goals output (18) that she set last year over 41 games.
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“I love to dish the puck and set other people up,” Harvey said, “so, I think, a lot more this year I’ve been trying to take more shots, take more risks…just using my shot to get it through — just knowing I don’t always have to make the final pass if the shot’s a better option.”
Harvey aims to “bring home some trophies” before concluding her college career, namely the WCHA and national championships.
Balancing responsibilities will continue for Harvey next year, when she joins the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL).
In The Hockey News’ most recent PWHL Draft rankings, Harvey was the top North American prospect.
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With her potential and work ethic, Harvey is going to be an outstanding player and a household name, Knight said.
“She’s just got this X factor to her, so it’s really exciting to see how she’s grown,” said Knight, captain of the PWHL’s Seattle Torrent. “I’m excited for when she graduates and is in this league to see how she carries it up and what she can accomplish here.”
Whichever team drafts her, Harvey said she will bring that work ethic at practice and a sense of calmness in hard moments during games.
She’s also looking forward to showing young girls that they can strive toward the same aspirations she had at their age.
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“Just growing the game, being a part of that — little girls can now look up and be like, ‘I can play pro hockey and be a pro hockey player,’” Harvey said. “I think it’s a pretty cool thing and just the way it’s been, it’s amazing to see.”