Winner to be announced at the Ms. Hockey Banquet Sunday

The five finalists for the 2026 Jori Jones Award have been named.

The award is given to the state’s top senior goaltender and presented by Let’s Play Hockey and sponsored by the Minnesota Wild, the Minnesota Girls Hockey Coaches Association, and Tradition Companies.

This year’s finalists are Grace Kemp (Cretin-Derham Hall), Janie McGawn (Blake), Payton Rolli (Warroad), Kayla Swartout (Holy Family), and Makena Underwood (Farmington). Four of the five goalies — McGawn, Rolli, Swartout and Underwood —  will be participating in the state tournament this week at Grand Casino Arena.

The five finalists were chosen by a panel of high school and college coaches from a list of 10 semifinalists.

This year’s Semifinalists also included: Emma Covell (Westonka/Southwest Christian), Sophia Cappiello (Prior Lake), Kylie Jaksha (Wayzata), Annika Magelee (Minnesota River), Kayden Larson (Blaine), Clairebella Hills (Andover), and Ava Aarnio (Chisago Lakes).

This year’s finalists have combined for more than 6,000 minutes, 93 wins, made 3,077 saves, have a combined 1.52 goals against average and a combined .940 save percentage. Four of the five finalists have committed to play Division I hockey. Three are from Class AA schools and two are from Class A schools.

2026 Jori Jones Finalists

The award will be presented to the winner at the annual Ms. Hockey Banquet at the Saint Paul RiverCentre on Sunday, Feb. 22 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Doors open at 10:30 a.m. Tickets to the event can be purchased HERE. The banquet is sponsored by the Minnesota Girls Coaches Association, the Minnesota Wild, and Tradition Companies. Chris Long of KSTP will emcee the event. The banquet also recognizes players and coaches who receive other individual and team awards.

In 1999, Let’s Play Hockey established the Senior Goalie of the Year Award with Katie Beauduy of Blaine named the first winner. Every year since, the award has been presented at the Ms. Hockey Award banquet. The award was named in honor of Jori Jones in 2024. Jones was a goaltender who was a semifinalist for the award in 2022. She passed away in August of 2023 at the age of 19.

Last year’s Jori Jones Award winner was Layla Hemp of Minnetonka.

Previous winners include: 1999 — Katie Beauduy, Blaine; 2000 — Shari Vogt, River Lakes; 2001 — Jody Horak, Blaine; 2002 — Amber Hasbargen, Warroad; 2003 — Robin Doepke, Chaska; 2004 — Emily Brookshaw, Hill-Murray; 2005 — Johanna Ellison, Cloquet/Esko/Carlton; 2006 — Alannah McCready, Centennial; 2007 — Ashley Nixon, Blaine; 2008 — Alyssa Grogan, Eagan; 2009 — Laura Bellamy, Duluth Northern Stars; 2010 — Kallie Billadeau, Hopkins; 2011 — Julie Friend, Minnetonka; 2012 — Erika Allen, Roseville; 2013 — Sydney Rossman, Minnetonka; 2014 — Erin O’Neil, Hopkins; 2015 — Frances Marshall, Thief River Falls; 2016 — Jenna Brenneman, Breck; 2017 — Breanna Blesi, Maple Grove; 2018 — Alexa Dobchuk, Eden Prairie; 2019 — Calla Frank, White Bear Lake; 2020 – Anna LaRose, North Wright County; 2021 – Brynn Dulac, Minnetonka HS; 2022 – Maggie Malecha, Northfield HS; 2023 – Uma Corniea, Edina HS; 2024 –  Grace Zhan – Hill-Murray; 2025 – Layla Hemp – Minnetonka.

GRACE KEMP • CRETIN-DERHAM HALL

SEASON STATS: 12-13-0  SAVES: 869  GAA: 1.80  SV%: .951  SO: 8

CAREER STATS: 49-49-3 SAVES: 2,874  GAA 2.21  SV%: .926  SO: 19

Grace Kemp has had an outstanding senior season with a .951 save percentage and 869 saves while logging 1277:30 minutes. She has had eight 40-plus save games including one game where she stopped 70 shots against Hill-Murray. She also had shutout wins of 41, 35 and 33 saves and has reached 2,800 saves in her career. She is a 4-year starter and 3-time All-Conference player. In her career she has logged over 5,000 minutes and has won 49 games. She is a 3-sport athlete who also competes in flag football and softball.

“Grace makes every player on our team better. She led us to the Section 3AA Final as a freshman, losing in double overtime 3-2 to Rosemount. Grace put’s our team on her back every game! She has high end goalie skills and amazing vision. She has explosive quickness and and strength. Grace is our MVP and she gives us a great chance to win every game we play. Her compete level and focus are off the charts. Grace has dedicated herself to becoming the best student-athlete she can be, training year round with our top Minnesota goalie instructors. Aside from leading our team in every practice, she does a separate individual goalie practice at 6AM once a week. Her self-discipline, concentration level, and optimistic attitude fuel our team and give us a great chance to make some noise in the play-offs this year!” – Coach Tony Scheid

JANIE MCGAWN • BLAKE

SEASON STATS: 21-6-0  SAVES: 645  GAA: 1.28  SV%: .949  SO: 8

CAREER STATS: 50-36-3  SAVES: 2,701  GAA: 1.85  SV%: .942  SO: 21

College: Dartmouth

McGawn has been the backbone of the Bears squad that won the Section 4AA title last week and got Blake back to state. She has been a mainstay in the crease for Blake for four seasons and eclipsed 2,700 career saves this year. She has a long list of accolades that include winning the MN District U19 Girls Teier 1 Championship, was a member of the team that won the USA Hockey U16 Tier 1 National Championship, was a Dangle League All-Star, won the U14 Girls Tier I State Championship, is a 2-time All-Conference player, was 2025 IMAC Co-Player of the Year, won the Team MVP Award last season, and was named All-State last year as well. Her .949 save percentage is currently ranked tied for fourth in the state and she has a career save percentage of .942 and has 50 career wins. She will continue her hockey career at Dartmouth.

“Over her career, Janie has recorded 21 shutouts, including eight this season alone, an achievement that speaks to her consistency, poise, and mental toughness in the biggest moments.  Beyond the numbers, Janie is the definition of a complete student-athlete. She earned multiple collegiate offers, including from WCHA programs, but ultimately chose Dartmouth because she valued the academic fit and long-term opportunity it provided. That decision reflects who Janie is: thoughtful, driven, and grounded, with a clear sense of purpose and values. Perhaps most impressive is the impact Janie has on everyone around her. She is an incredible leader, a trusted teammate, and a presence that elevates everyone around her. She leads with humility, confidence, and care, and is genuinely beloved by coaches, teammates, opponents, and officials alike. Janie is a special athlete, an even better person, and truly one of a kind. I cannot think of anyone more deserving of this honor. Janie McGawn embodies the true spirit of the Jori Jones Award; excellence in goal, unwavering competitiveness, leadership through character, and a lasting impact on her team and community. Her legacy extends far beyond wins and statistics, and she represents exactly what this award was created to honor.” – Coach Kristi King

PAYTON ROLLI • WARROAD

SEASON STATS: 21-5-1 SAVES: 482  GAA: 1.26  SV%: .934  SO: 10

CAREER STATS: 66-17-1  SAVES: 1,558  GAA: 1.33 SV%: .933  SO: 23

College: University of Minnesota

A three-year letter winner for the Lady Warriors, Payton Rolli has been a steady presence in net for the team that has been to the finals the past four years with hopes of making a fifth consecutive trip this season. She posted her 10th shutout of the season in the Warriors section final win over East Grand Forks and allowed just one goal in the section playoffs. She posted a 38-save performance in a 2-2 tie with #1AA Hill-Murray, and a 32-save performance against Edina in a 2-0 loss that included an empty netter. In 2023-24 she  she was a member of the Class A All-Tournament Team after helping lead the Warriors to the state title. She was voted TEAM MVP and Rookie of the Year in same season. She was also named to the All-Tournament Team again in 2024-25 and voted TEAM MVP. She is a two-time captain and in her career has won 66 games with more than 1,500 saves. She will continue her hockey career at the University of Minnesota.

“Payton Rolli has a disciplined work ethic, is dedicated growing as a goalie, and is a leader among her teammates. Payton’s determination and competitive nature are noticeable. She has a very focused daily routine and is always prepared. I am proud of Payton and excited to watch her game continue to grow this season and next year at the University of Minnesota.” – Coach David Mavin

KAYLA SWARTOUT • HOLY FAMILY

SEASON STATS: 22-3-0 SAVES: 632  GAA: 1.55  SV%: .942  SO: 5

CAREER STATS: 59-21-1  SAVES: 1,919  GAA: 1.57  SV%: .937  SO: 18

College: University of Wisconsin

Kayla Swartout helped lead Holy Family to their first state tournament appearance in program history last season and followed suit with a 46-save performance in the Fire’s double overtime win over Minnetonka in section finals, giving the Fire their second straight state tournament appearance. She is in her fourth varsity season and has compiled 59 wins and is approaching 2,000 saves in her career. She was named All-Conference, All-State Honorable Mention and made the All-Tournament team last season after the Fire finished third at state. She has also been a member of the 2025 U16 National Championship team where she earned All-Tournament honors. She will continue her hockey career at the University of Wisconsin.

“Kayla is a pro’s pro. She has been the backbone of our program for the past three seasons and was instrumental in HF making history last year with our run to state. This season, she has only continued to elevate her game. Her dedication to our program and her teammates is unmatched, and her work ethic sets the standard for our program every day. Her individual statistics speak for themselves while competing against one of the toughest schedules in the state, including 10 wins this season alone over top-10 teams. Kayla carries that same level of excellence into the classroom, where she maintains a 4.0 GPA. I cannot say enough good things about this exceptional young woman! – Coach Randy Koeppl

MAKENA UNDERWOOD • FARMINGTON

SEASON STATS: 17-4-1 SAVES: 449  GAA: 1.71  SV%: .922  SO: 5

CAREER STATS: 35-12-2  SAVES: 1,109  GAA: 2.24  SV%: .911  SO: 10

College: St. Michael’s College

Makena Underwood is in her third year as the starting varsity goaltender for the Tigers and she continues to get better with age. Now a senior, she helped lead Farmington to the state tournament.  She has posted 17 wins this season and a .922 save percentage. She has had thirteen 20-plus save games this year and posted five shutouts. She has been a member of the High performance Spring Festival for four years and was an attendee at the US National Camp. She played in the Upper Midwest HS Elite League, and was twice named the Hegland Award winner at Farmington, given to an athlete who shows the most grit. She was an All-Conference selection last season and played an integral role on leading the Tigers to state in 2024-25. In her career she has won 35 games and reached 1,000 saves earlier this year. She will continue her hockey career playing Division I at St Michael’s College in Vermont.

“I have known Kena for her entire high school career and even before in middle school and elementary school as I have been fortunate enough to work with her youth teams in our community as she has grown. She understands that paths have been paved before she made it to where she is and that it is her job to continue to open doors for those behind her so they may have even greater success. Kena always recognizes her own contributions to every situation whether that situation is good or bad. She understands that she needs to be part of solutions and growth rather than negativity and blame. Kena is the epitome of what coaches and community builders want from the youth . Her character combined with her skill makes her and everyone around her a better player and human. Kena is always a role model for all students, athletes, and community members. She is well known for her honesty, integrity, and compassionate attitude and she truly has the mentality to show up and do the work no matter the situation or circumstance. Whether it is daily practices, weights, film, team meetings, helping with youth practices, having an active role in practice planning and preparing for games or just being available for when someone needs an ear or advice, Kena is a genuine leader. Kena has one of the greatest work ethics I have seen in a hockey player as she is inquisitive and will try anything you ask of her to help the team. She has a special rapport with people due to her inherent nature where she treats everyone with the respect and enthusiasm she demands from herself. She has a great sense of how to handle many different situations appropriately and the vision required to provide the support and assistance to our team and community that has allowed people around her to have a successful experience. She is the most hard working and dedicated individual who always keeps the best interests of those around her in mind when making decisions. Kena is an outstanding advocate for her teams, the community, and her friends. I trust Kena not only with our team and younger athletes in our community, but with my own success and legacy, without question.” – Coach Jon Holmes