Minnetonka’s Layla Hemp was named the recipient of the Jori Jones Award, given to the top senior goaltender in the state.
Hemp emerged from a strong group of finalists that included Mallory Hartl (Moose Lake Area), Ida Huber (Dodge County), Taylor Kressin (Moorhead) and Zoe Rimstad (Academy of Holy Angels).
Hemp has been a mainstay in goal for the Skippers for the past three seasons and this year won 16 games and posted a 0.92 goals against average and a .951 save percentage. In her career she has a 44-5-1 record with 18 shutouts and a .947 save percentage. She was also the starting goalie for the Team USA U18 squad who won a gold medal. She will play college hockey at the University of Minnesota.
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.
The award is presented by Let’s Play Hockey and sponsored by the Minnesota Wild, the Minnesota Girls Hockey Coaches Association, and Tradition Companies.
Hemp finished her career with 45 wins, 18 shutouts and a .947 save percentage. She will continue her playing career at the University of Minnesota.
