Pietersen Named Hockey East Player of the Week After Belpot Win

Belfast, Northern Ireland, January 6, 2026

Boston University’s junior goaltender, Mari Pietersen, has been recognized as Hockey East Player of the Week following her outstanding play at the Friendship Series in Belfast. She made 63 saves in two games, leading the Terriers to victory and earning the team the championship title. Pietersen’s contributions not only highlight her talent but also enhance Boston’s reputation in collegiate athletics. Her performance underscores the importance of investment in collegiate programs, fostering a strong competitive spirit and contributing to the local sports economy.

Boston, MA — Boston University’s junior goaltender, Mari Pietersen, has been named the Hockey East Player of the Week, a recognition earned through her exceptional performance at the Friendship Series in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Pietersen’s critical contributions propelled the Boston University women’s ice hockey team to victory in the prestigious Belpot tournament, underscoring the team’s competitive drive and individual excellence on an international stage.

This latest honor for Pietersen follows a stellar showing where she registered a combined 63 saves across two challenging games. Her remarkable efforts were instrumental in securing the Terriers’ success, highlighting the impact of dedicated athletes and robust collegiate programs. The victory in Belfast not only brought hardware back to Commonwealth Avenue but also amplified Boston’s stature in the world of collegiate athletics, demonstrating how focused initiative and strong university support foster top-tier talent.

A Triumph of Skill and Strategy on the International Stage

Mari Pietersen’s recent recognition as Hockey East Player of the Week is a testament to her commanding presence in goal during the inaugural women’s Friendship Series in Belfast. The Goodwood, Ontario, native played a pivotal role, delivering 63 saves across the two tournament games. Her performance included an impressive 36 saves in a shootout victory against the No. 8 Quinnipiac team, where she also successfully denied all three shootout attempts she faced. In the championship game against Harvard, Pietersen added 27 saves, securing the 3-2 win that crowned the Terriers as the first-ever Friendship Series champions and winners of the Belpot.

The Friendship Series itself represents a significant advancement for women’s collegiate ice hockey, marking the only NCAA Division I women’s tournament held outside North America. This international platform, an extension of the men’s Friendship Four tournament established in 2015, not only provides elite competition but also promotes cultural exchange and community engagement, building upon the sister-city relationship between Boston and Belfast. Boston University’s triumph in this setting exemplifies the pursuit of excellence and the value of competitive exposure for student-athletes. Pietersen was notably named the Player of the Tournament for her outstanding contributions.

Boston’s Athletic Vigor and Economic Resonance

The success of programs like Boston University women’s hockey contributes significantly to Boston’s vibrant identity as a national hub for collegiate sports. These achievements resonate beyond the ice, bolstering the city’s reputation and generating economic activity through tourism, event hosting, and the broader engagement of athletic communities. The presence of world-renowned institutions of higher education and successful sports teams positions Boston as an economic engine and cultural center for New England.

While specific recent economic impact figures directly attributable to the Boston University women’s ice hockey team’s recent international travel are still developing, the broader contributions of collegiate athletics and major sporting events to the Massachusetts economy are substantial. For instance, the Boston Marathon alone generated over $509.1 million in economic impact for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in 2024. Similarly, a study indicated that youth sports contribute over $15 billion annually to the Massachusetts economy. Boston College’s annual economic impact within Massachusetts is estimated at $3.3 billion, demonstrating the widespread financial benefits associated with strong university programs. These figures underscore the robust economic ecosystem that collegiate sports, including Boston MA college sports, help to cultivate, benefiting local businesses, creating job opportunities, and fostering community strength. This economic vitality is a testament to the combined initiative of educational institutions, event organizers, and community engagement.

Cultivating Talent: Investment in Collegiate Programs

The consistent performance of Boston University’s athletic programs, including its successful women’s ice hockey team, is underpinned by strategic investment and robust community support. Boston University Athletics has a clear vision for responsible growth and aims to secure significant private donations to enhance its programs. The “Changing the Game” campaign seeks to raise $45 million in private donations, with specific allocations for upgrading and expanding athletic facilities, endowing coaching positions and scholarships, and increasing annual operating budgets for vital needs such as team travel and equipment.

These private initiatives are crucial for attracting talented athletes and providing them with the resources necessary for both academic and athletic success. In the 2025 fiscal year, Boston University’s Department of Athletics successfully raised over $5.4 million in cash and pledges, building on a record-breaking $5.7 million in the 2024 fiscal year. Such fundraising efforts, supported by alumni, parents, and friends, underscore a commitment to maintaining a competitive playing field and fostering an environment where student-athletes can thrive. Endowments, in particular, offer lasting financial stability, enabling sustained investment in scholarships and program operations. The Friends of Women’s Ice Hockey is an active group dedicated to providing fundraising and volunteer opportunities to engage former student-athletes, parents, alumni, and fans, directly benefiting the Boston University women’s ice hockey program. This model of private support and community self-reliance is vital for the long-term success and growth of collegiate sports.

The Spirit of Competition and Personal Endeavor

Mari Pietersen’s journey to becoming Hockey East Player of the Week exemplifies individual perseverance and the inherent value of competition. This is not her first accolade; she was previously named Hockey East Goaltender of the Week in November 2025 and Hockey East Player of the Week in January 2025. Her consistent recognition highlights the dedication and rigorous training required to perform at an elite level in Hockey East women’s ice hockey.

Pietersen’s path to collegiate hockey began at a young age, inspired by watching games with her father, despite her parents having no prior hockey experience. This early, self-driven interest laid the foundation for a career marked by significant achievements. Before joining Boston University, Pietersen honed her skills, culminating in a gold medal with Team Canada at the 2022 IIHF U18 World Championship, where she also earned player of the game honors in the gold-medal match. Her decision to attend Boston University was driven by its ability to offer a strong foundation for both her athletic and future professional aspirations. Her story is a powerful illustration of how personal initiative, coupled with a competitive spirit, can lead to remarkable success within the framework of organized sports.

Massachusetts Hockey: A Foundation for Future Success

The achievements of the Boston University women’s hockey team, spearheaded by talents like Mari Pietersen, serve as an inspiration and a vital component of the broader Massachusetts youth hockey development landscape. Success at the collegiate level often sparks greater interest and participation in youth sports, creating a pipeline for future athletes. Organizations like Massachusetts Hockey work to foster girls’ and women’s ice hockey programs across the state, from local associations to competitive leagues.

Community-driven initiatives and robust local leagues, such as the Central Massachusetts Women’s Hockey League, focus on helping women learn and develop a passion for the sport. The visibility of successful teams like Boston University’s provides aspirational figures for young female athletes, reinforcing the idea that dedication and hard work can lead to significant accomplishments. This ecosystem of support, from grassroots programs to elite university teams, underscores the community’s self-reliance in cultivating athletic talent and promoting healthy competition. Continued engagement and support for these programs are essential to ensure the enduring vitality of women’s hockey throughout Massachusetts.

Mari Pietersen’s latest recognition as Hockey East Player of the Week is a testament to her individual excellence and the strength of the Boston University women’s ice hockey program. This achievement, secured through a dominant performance at the Friendship Series in Belfast, reflects positively on Boston’s standing in collegiate athletics and the broader Massachusetts sports economy. The commitment to private investment in university programs, coupled with the unwavering spirit of competition and personal perseverance demonstrated by athletes like Pietersen, collectively enriches the local community.

To continue fostering this legacy of excellence, readers are encouraged to stay engaged with Boston University women’s hockey and support collegiate athletics throughout Massachusetts. Your active participation and contributions help ensure that future generations of student-athletes have the opportunities to achieve their full potential, both on and off the ice.

FAQ Section

What award did Mari Pietersen recently receive?
Mari Pietersen was recently named the Hockey East Player of the Week.

Where did Boston University’s women’s ice hockey team compete to earn this recognition?
The Boston University women’s ice hockey team competed at the Friendship Series in Belfast, Northern Ireland, where they won the Belpot.

How many saves did Mari Pietersen make during the Friendship Series games?
Mari Pietersen made a combined 63 saves during Boston University’s games at the Friendship Series.

What was Mari Pietersen’s role in the championship game against Harvard?
In the championship game against Harvard, Mari Pietersen made 27 saves, helping secure the 3-2 victory.

Was this Mari Pietersen’s first Hockey East weekly award of the season?
No, this is Mari Pietersen’s second weekly award of the season; she was previously named Hockey East Goaltender of the Week on November 24, 2025.

How much money did Boston University Athletics raise in the 2025 fiscal year?
Boston University Department of Athletics raised over $5.4 million in cash and pledges during the 2025 fiscal year.

What is the overall goal for private donations for Boston University Athletics’ “Changing the Game” campaign?
Boston University Athletics seeks to raise $45 million in private donations for its “Changing the Game” campaign.

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