Winner to be announced Feb. 22 at Ms. Hockey Banquet

The five finalists for the 2026 Ms. Hockey Award  have been announced by Let’s Play Hockey.

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

This year’s finalists are Alaina Gnetz (Centennial/Spring Lake Park), Jasmine Hovda (Roseau), Maddy Kimbrel (Holy Family), Mia Miller (Northfield), and Lorelai Nelson (Edina).

The five finalists were chosen by a panel of high school and college coaches from a list of 10 semifinalists. Three of the five will be playing in this week’s state tournament. Alaina Gnetz, Maddy Kimbrel, and Lorelai Nelson will all compete in St. Paul and try to lead their team to the state championship. Nelson is the lone player to have won a state title, having accomplished the feat in 2024 with Edina.

All five players will be playing Division I hockey. This season they have combined for 151 goals and 109 assists in 123 games, an average of  2.11 points per game. In their careers they have played in a combined 678 games and scored 511 goals and added 519 assists for 1,030 points.

This year’s Semifinalists also included: Sydney Burnevik (River Cities), Lizzy Callahan (Westonka/Southwest Christian), Cate McCoy (Edina), Madelyn Lee (White Bear Lake), and Katya Sander (Holy Family).

The winner of the 2026 Ms. Hockey Award will be announced at the Ms. Hockey Banquet on Sunday, Feb. 22 at the Saint Paul Rivercentre along with the Jori Jones Award , given to the state’s top senior goaltender. Let’s Play Hockey will also give an award to the state’s top defenseman. Tickets to the banquet can be ordered here.

The banquet includes a meal and program and also includes celebrating all-state and all-state honorable mention awarded players as well as coaches of the year and the Brano Stankovsky Award.

Past winners of the Ms. Hockey Award include: Mercury Bischoff of Grand Rapids/Greenway (2025),  Ayla Puppe of Northfield (2024), Ella Boerger of Andover (2023), Vivian Jungels of Edina (2022) Peyton Hemp of Andover (2021) Olivia Mobley of Breck (2020), Madeline Wethington of Blake (2019), Taylor Heise of Red Wing (2018), Grace Zumwinkle of Breck (2017), Presley Norby of Minnetonka (2016), Taylor Williamson of Edina (2015), Sydney Baldwin of Minnetonka (2014), Dani Cameranesi of Blake (2013), Hannah Brandt of Hill-Murray (2012), Karley Sylvester of Warroad (2011), Bethany Brausen of Roseville (2010) Becky Kortum of Hopkins (2009), Sarah Erickson of Bemidji (2008), Katharine Chute of Blake (2007), Allie Thunstrom of North St. Paul (2006), Gigi Marvin of Warroad (2005), Erica McKenzie of Hastings (2004), Andrea Nichols of Hibbing/Chisholm (2003), Ashley Albrecht of South St. Paul (2002), Renee Curtin of Roseville (2001), Krissy Wendell of Park Center (2000), Ronda Curtin of Roseville (1999), Laura Slominski of Burnsville (1998), Annamarie Holmes of Apple Valley (1997) and Winny Brodt of Roseville (1996).

2026 Ms. Hockey Finalists:

ALAINA GNETZ • CENTENNIAL/SPRING LAKE PARK • FORWARD

Season Stats: GP: 23 Goals: 33 Assists: 20 Points: 53

Career Stats: GP: 103 Goals: 113 Assists: 73 Points: 186

College: Minnesota-Duluth

Gnetz helped lead the Cougars back to the state tournament and leads the team in scoring with 33 goals despite missing several games while playing for the Gold Medal Team USA U18 squad where she also netted five goals in six games.  She was also a national champion in Tier 1 for U16, has been a 3-time All-Conference selection, was All-State in 2025, and is serving as a captain on this year’s Cougars squad. A skilled skater and puck handler with a lethal shot, she reached 100 career goals earlier this season. She will continue her playing career at the University of Minnesota-Duluth.

“Laini is a highly talented individual that leads her teammates on the ice as a fierce competitor and off the ice as a penultimate “hockey player.” She has elite physical tools, but it is her work ethic on and off the ice that has maximized her gifts. At her best when the game is on the line, the puck is often shot off her stick like a rocket in clutch moments. She has been a leader on her team this season and enthusiastically takes on being a role model in our community. She is followed by all in the CSLP community with her participation on the national stage of USA hockey. Laini is laying it all out there in her senior year to put her final stamp on her tremendous high school hockey career.” – Coach Sean Molin

JASMINE HOVDA • ROSEAU • FORWARD

Season Stats: GP: 27 Goals: 45 Assists: 21 Points: 66

Career Stats: GP: 136 Goals: 121 Assists: 120 Points: 241

College: St. Cloud State

Jasmine Hovda reached the 200-point mark earlier this season and finished her career with 241 points. Perhaps more impressive was the fact she had just as many assists as goals. She notched 45 goals this season, currently tied for second most in all of hockey, and tops in Class AA. Hovda is a 3-time All-Section player, 3-time Team MVP, and was named to the All-State team last season. She was a member of the U18 Team USA Development Camp and was also an All-State Honorable Mention pick as a sophomore. She will continue her career at St. Cloud State.

“Jasmine Hovda is the definition of a dynamic playmaker. Her elite speed, exceptional vision, and unbelievable puck handling make her one of the most electrifying players in the state. Despite her smaller frame, Jasmine is remarkably strong on her skates, with incredible balance and coordination that allow her to win battles all over the ice against any opponent. That combination of strength, speed, and competitiveness—paired with her natural scoring touch—has made Jasmine a dominant offensive force and our team’s scoring leader since her freshman year. Off the ice, Jasmine is equally impressive. She is one of the top students in her class, serves as a member and historian for Roseau’s National Honor Society, and dedicates countless hours volunteering with Roseau Youth Hockey and special education programs in our school. Her commitment to excellence extends far beyond the rink. I’ve had the privilege of coaching Jasmine for seven years, and in that time, she has consistently been the most skilled, driven, and compassionate player I’ve ever worked with. She embodies everything this award represents—talent, leadership, character, and a love for the game. As a St. Cloud State Women’s Hockey alum, I couldn’t be prouder that Jasmine will continue her journey as a Husky next year. Her future is incredibly bright, both on the ice and in life, and I can’t wait to see the big things ahead for her.” – Coach Amanda Giles

MADDY KIMBREL • HOLY FAMILY • FORWARD

Season Stats: GP: 23 Goals: 35 Assists: 19 Points: 54

Career Stats: GP: 138 Goals: 112 Assists: 88 Points: 200

College: Wisconsin

Maddy Kimbrel has been a spark plug for the Holy Family squad where she has become one of the top offensive threats in the state in

Class AA. She recently helped lead Holy Family to their second straight state tournament appearance with a goal and assist in their 5-4 overtime win over Minnetonka in Section 2AA. Those points helped Kimbrel reach the 200-point mark in her career. She now has 35 goals in just 23 games for the Fire, quite a feat after having missed several games playing for Team USA in the U18 World Championship where her and her teammates won Gold,  adding on to her long list of accolades that include national titles at U14 (Tier 1) and U16 (Tier 1). Kimbrel has been a state tournament participant four times, is a two-time All-Conference member, was All-State Honorable Mention as a sophomore and was All-State as a junior. She will continue her playing career at the University of Wisconsin.

“Maddy is a player unlike any I have ever coached. She is incredibly talented, driven, and there is absolutely no chance she will ever be outworked. Anyone who has had the opportunity to be her teammate would say the same. While her stats and hockey accomplishments speak for themselves, including being the captain of the USA U18 team, what really makes Maddy special is who she is every single day. She sets a goal and attacks it with everything she has, never letting obstacles stand in her way. On the ice, she is the most fun hockey player I have had the privilege of watching in my nine years of coaching on the girls’ side. Off the ice, she has set an example for everyone in our program that will be remembered long after her time here. She is one of the best players I have seen, she enjoys the game more than anyone, and she does it all while having heckuva lot of fun!”   – Coach Randy Koeppl

MIA MILLER • NORTHFIELD • DEFENSE

Season Stats: GP: 23 Goals: 18 Assists: 31 Points: 49

Career Stats: GP: 153 Goals: 87 Assists: 142 Points: 229

College: Minnesota State-Mankato

Mia Miller’s numbers resemble those of a high-scoring forward, but she is  a top-notch defender on the blueline with supreme offensive skills. She was a member of Team USA’s U18 squad who recently claimed Gold at the World Championships. She is a two-time All-Conference player, was named All-State Honorable Mention as a sophomore and was All-State as a junior. She scored 69 points as a sophomore and 61 as a junior and likely would have turned in her third straight 60-point season had she not missed five games due to the U18 World Championship. Her 229 career points is astounding for a defenseman. This is her sixth season as a varsity player for Northfield where she is serving as team captain. She will continue her playing career at Minnesota State-Mankato.

“Mia Miller is one of the most dynamic players in the state and the most complete defenseman. A member of the U18 National Team, Mia is a versatile defender who can shut down the best offensive players in the game and create offense on any shift. She has elite skating skills allowing her to elude forecheckers and also rush the puck from end to end with her speed. She controls the offensive blueline better than anyone in the state. Mia can score from anywhere in the zone with an arsenal of shots that feature a lightning quick release and creates scoring chances for her teammates with her vison and passing acumen. Mia is a 2-year captain who is a humble, servant leader for our team. She has accrued many personal awards and accolades but remains singularly focused on her team’s success on and off the ice. Mia is genuinely concerned for the well-being of everyone on the team from JV to Varsity and works to make sure everyone feels valued and wanted. She demonstrates enormous work ethic and is truly in love with the process of getting better. Mia holds herself to high standards in all of her roles and is accountable and coachable. She will do whatever it takes to win and is more than willing to fill any role given the opponent and game situation. Her hockey IQ is evident in her 200-foot game and her stamina and compete level add to her dominance. Despite the potential pressure under which she plays, it is not lost on Mia that hockey is fun, and she brings her infectious love for the game and competition to the rink every day, energizing her teammates. Simply stated, Mia is a great model of what the top players should demonstrate on and off the ice and she will be a wonderful ambassador for women’s hockey for years to come.”  – Coach Jeff LaPanta

LORELAI NELSON • EDINA • FORWARD

Season Stats: GP: 27 Goals: 20 Assists: 18 Points: 38

Career Stats: GP: 148 Goals: 78 Assists: 96 Points: 174

College: Penn State

Lorelai Nelson is in her fifth varsity season for the Hornets, not an easy feat for one of the state’s top programs. In her career she has scored 174 points, and after the Hornets 1-0 win Friday over Benilde-St. Margaret’s, will play in her fifth state tournament. She has been a member of All-Tournament Team at the state tournament twice, was a member of the 2024 State Championship team, was named to the All-State team last season, is a 3-time USA Hockey Camp attendee, was a member of the U18 National Team in the Canada Series, and was an attendee at the US National U19 Camp. She has also been named to the All-Conference team three times and is a captain on this year’s squad as she hopes to lead Edina to their sixth state title in program history. She will continue her playing career at Penn State.

“Lorelai has been on our team since her 8th grade year, so this is her 5th year as a varsity starter. During Lolo’s time on our team thus far, she has been named All-Conference, All-State, has participated in numerous USA Hockey National Camps, and has been a part of one of our state championships. On top of all of this, she is also one of our captains this year. Watching Lolo grow from her 8th grade year to now has been something special to witness from a coach’s point of view. From coming in as a young, somewhat quiet, forward ready to learn the ropes, she has since developed into a versatile, reliable, skilled and go-to player for our team. Lolo is someone we can rely on in many situations on the ice. She has the ability to score big goals for us when needed, but she’s also learned to adapt to each game differently and day in and day out she helps our team be successful. Aside from her skills on the ice, Lolo is someone who comes to the rink every day with a personality and passion that is so critical to our team and its success. Her teammates rally around her and look up to her and from a coach’s perspective, she’s trustworthy, hardworking, accountable, and everything else you look for in your captain. No matter the day, she is ready to help better our team, doing whatever she needs to accomplish that. Lolo is someone that I have enjoyed watching grow on and off the ice immensely in the last five years and I’m so excited to see what her future holds.” – Coach Sami Cowger