What is the Ms. Hockey Award?

With the success of the Mr. Hockey Award over the years, it only seemed natural to honor the top senior playing girls’ hockey in Minnesota with a similar award.

In 1997, Let’s Play Hockey held the inaugural Ms. Hockey Award banquet, honoring the second-ever Ms. Hockey, Annamarie Holmes of Apple Valley. The inaugural award went to Roseville’s Winny Brodt as part of the Mr. Hockey banquet in 1996. The banquet has more than exceeded expectations, as attendance to celebrate the conclusion of the girls’ high school hockey season is annually in the range of 400-500 people.

Ms. Hockey is presented to the top senior girls’ high school hockey player in the state, based on the following criteria: academics, community/extra-curricular activities, citizenship, coachability and, of course, on-ice performance.

The Ms. Hockey candidates are identified based on nominations by their coaches. The selection of the top 10 candidates, then the five finalists, and ultimately the winner, is based on consultations with a panel of Division I and III college women’s coaches from the states of Minnesota and Wisconsin, as well as a panel of high school coaches. The same process is used to select the Let’s Play Hockey Senior Goalie of the Year Award winner.

Maddy Kimbrel named Ms. Hockey 2026

KIMBREL’S TIRELESS WORK ETHIC LED TO SUCCESS ON THE ICE

Senior scored 37 goals helping lead Holy Family to a third-place finish at state

by Bryan Zollman, Let’s Play Hockey

Let’s Play Hockey held its annual Ms. Hockey Banquet Sunday and announced the winner of the 2026 Ms. Hockey Award, the Jori Jones Award, and the Senior Defenseman of the Year Award. Several other awards, including All-State and All-State Honorable Mention, Coaches of the Year, Team Academic Awards, and the annual Brano Stankovsky Award were also given.

Maddy Kimbrel of Holy Family was named 2026 Ms. Hockey. She was chosen amongst the five finalists who included Alaina Gentz (Centennial/SLP), Jasmine Hovda (Roseau), Lorelai Nelson (Edina), and Mia Miller (Northfield).

The senior forward led her team to a third-place finish at the state high school tournament this past weekend. Kimbrel led the Fire with 37 goals and 20 assists for 57 points, capping off a stellar high school career where she scored 108 goals in 113 games and added 81 assists for 189 career points.

The high-scoring forward was a mix of scrap and skill, showcasing relentless energy that often found her crashing the goal with fierce abandon and a willingness to do anything to score for her team. In addition to her strong skating skills, she is an adept puck handler, plays strong against boards and consistently wins one-on-one puck battles. She is also an efficient passer, and when she draws pressure has the ability to find the open teammate.

Holy Family Head Coach Randy Koeppl said he was happy to see Kimbrel win the award because she is a tireless worker who is also very humble. He even joked that she probably would have rather been shooting pucks on a Sunday morning than receiving an award.

“It was incredible to see her win,” he said. “I know how hard she has worked. She’s such a smart, humble hockey player who works her tail off. There was nobody more beat up after that semifinal loss than her. She wanted that championship as bad as anybody. She wanted it for all of us.”

Kimbrel congratulated the other finalists and thanked her parents, teammates and coaches after receiving the award: “To my parents, I wouldn’t be here without your endless love and support. And to my coaches and teammates, you push me every day to be the best version of myself I can be, so thank you. And I have countless people who have poured so much time and energy into helping me reach my goals, I just want to say thank you.”

MADDY KIMBREL MS. HOCKEY ANNOUNCEMENT

Kimbrel spent three years at Orono where she notched 20-plus goals and 40-plus points for the years in a row. This past season she was also a member of team USA’s U18 squad that won Gold. She will continue her career at the University of Wisconsin.

“I’m super happy for her and her family,” said Koeppl. “It’s a great family and she’s a great kid. I’ve never seen a hockey player male or female work as hard as she does and with the passion she does and the enjoyment. If there is one person I know who earned that award its her. She’s gonna represent the award and Minnesota hockey for the next 10-15 years. The whole state will enjoy watching her.”

Kimbrel is the 31st recipient of the award. The inaugural award went to Roseville’s Winny Brodt as part of the Mr. Hockey banquet in 1996.  Ms. Hockey is presented to the top senior girls’ high school hockey player in the state, based on the following criteria: academics, community/extra-curricular activities, citizenship, coachability and, of course, on-ice performance.

The Ms. Hockey candidates are identified based on nominations by their coaches. The selection of the top 10 candidates, then the five finalists, and ultimately the winner, is based on consultations with a panel of Division I and III college women’s coaches from the states of Minnesota and Wisconsin, as well as a panel of high school coaches. The same process is used to select the Jori Jones Award winner, given to the state’s top senior goaltender.

Mercury Bischoff named 2025 Ms. Hockey

Mercury Bischoff was named Ms. Hockey today at the annual Ms. Hockey Banquet.

The Grand Rapids/Greenway star was a finalist along with Mackenzie Jones (Andover), Teagan Kulenkamp (Centennial/Spring Lake Park), Makayla Moran (Apple Valley) and Sophie Stramel (Rosemount).

Bischoff finished her career this season with 381 points. She led the state in goals with 58 and points with 86.

She eclipsed 30 goals in each of her past five seasons, scoring 40 or more three times and setting a career high with 58 this year. She finishes her career with 381 points, which ranks 12th all time in state history. Bischoff will continue her playing career at Minnesota State.

“Mercury is most well known for her elite edge work, deception, puck possession and hockey IQ, giving her the ability to always operate and play ahead of opponents,” said head coach Brad Hyduke. “She is also an underrated passer with great hands that will show itself well at the next levels of hockey. In the off-season, off ice and in practice, Mercury puts the work in and sets an example for how to prepare your mind and body to play at the highest level.”

Past winners of the Ms. Hockey Award include: 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).

The Ms. Hockey Award is presented by Let’s Play Hockey and sponsored by the Minnesota Wild, the Minnesota Girls Hockey Coaches Association, and Tradition Companies.

Northfield’s Ayla Puppe named 2024 Ms. Hockey

Let’s Play Hockey presented Northfield’s Ayla Puppe with the Ms. Hockey Award and Hill-Murray’s Grace Zhan with the Jori Jones Award Sunday at the annual Ms. Hockey Banquet held at the Saint Paul RiverCentre.

Both players led their teams to the Class AA state tournament.

Puppe led the state in scoring with 61 goals and 50 assists for 111 points. She led in all three categories and in 30 games recorded 10 hat tricks, scoring four goals four times and five goals once. She also had three or more assists in eight games leading the Raiders to a 27-3-0 record.

Puppe played parts of six seasons with Northfield and in her career scored 185 goals and added 140 assists for 325 points in 135 games.

She will continue her hockey career as a member of the Golden Gophers at the University of Minnesota.

“Ayla is an exceptional hockey player,” said Northfield Head Coach Paige Haley. “She is dominant on the ice. She is the best goal scorer in the state. Ayla can take control of games. Her ability to include her teammates around her in plays this year has contributed to our team’s success. There is not an athlete who works harder and wants it more than Ayla Puppe.”

Puppe combined a strong combination of skill and speed. Not just a goal scorer, her 50 assists also led the state and helped lead Northfield to a 27-1-0 record heading into the tournament.

Puppe was amongst a strong list of Ms. Hockey Finalists that included Minnetonka’s Lindzi Avar, Stillwater’s Josie St. Martin, Duluth Marshall’s Ilsa Lindaman, and Moorhead’s Kate Kosobud. Avar led Minnetonka to a third-place finish at this year’s tournament and finished her senior season with 23 goals and 32 assists. She will play next season at Cornell.

St. Martin led Stillwater in scoring and was also one of six Minnesotans on the Team USA U-18 squad that took home a gold medal  earlier this winter. She finished the season with 26 goals and 39 assists  and is headed to Ohio State University.

Lindaman was the state’s second highest goal scorer, notching 57 goals in 27 games and 86 points. She is headed to the University of St. Thomas.

Moorhead’s Kosobud was the lone defenseman to make the top five and will join Puppe as a Minnesota Gopher next season.

2024 Ms. Hockey Finalists

2023 Ms. Hockey – Ella Boerger, Andover High School

Ella Boerger in the news:

https://www.stateofhockey.com/news_article/show/1262020

https://www.therinklive.com/high-school/minnesota-hockey/minnesota-girls/ms-hockey-awarded-to-andovers-ella-boerger

https://thehockeynews.com/womens/college/ms-hockey-ella-boerger-set-to-hit-the-ice-with-st-thomas

https://pliablemarketing.com/news/f/ella-boerger-named-2023-ms-hockey

Boerger is third Andover player in four years to win coveted award

(Saint Paul, Minn.) – Andover’s Ella Boerger emerged from a strong field of 2023 seniors to win the 28th annual Ms. Hockey Award.

Boerger helped lead the Huskies to the state championship game, where they lost 4-1 to Gentry Academy Saturday, Feb. 25. The senior University of St. Thomas commit generated 78 points on the season on 41 goals and 37 assists to help lead the Huskies to a 27-4-0 record and a second straight trip to the title game. Last season Boerger notched 74 points in the Huskies undefeated run to a state title.

“At Andover we pride ourselves on having good hockey players but even better people, and that is who she is,” sad Andover Head Coach Melissa Volk. “On the ice she is a mix between a power forward but with finesse and is very good in our own end. She has been an instrumental part of our success these last four years in which she has won two state championships her freshman and junior seasons.”

Boerger emerged from a  list of 5 finalists that included Ellah Hause (Hill-Murray), Suzy Higuchi (Blake), Lauren O’Hara (Centennial/Spring Lake Park) and Kamryn Van Batavia (Luverne). The players were first nominated by their respective coaches and then a panel of high school and college coaches voted on 10 semifinalists before the list was narrowed to five finalists.

The 10 semifinalists included Isa Goettl (Andover), Ava Lindsay (Minnetonka), Josie Hemp (Minnetonka), Rylee Bartz (Warroad) and Stella Retrum (Maple Grove).

Seven of the 10 semifinalists played the state tournament and three of the five finalists played.

Other Finalists:

Ellah Hause – Defense – Hill-Murray

19 G – 25 A – 44 Points

A top-tier defender, Hause can also play in the offensive zone as evidenced by her 44 points in 23 games. A member of Team USA’s U18 squad that competed in Sweden, Hause possesses great skill with a high hockey IQ that helped her lead the Pioneers to the section final where they fell to Gentry Academy. A two-year captain for the Pioneers, she will play next season at the University of St. Thomas.

“As a coach for more than two decades, I can enthusiastically state that Ellah is one of the best I have had the privilege of coaching,” said head coach Shawn Reid. “Yes, her talent is great. But more importantly, she is unconditionally dependable and sees the world beyond herself. I am pleased to give her my highest recommendation.”

Suzy Higuchi – Forward – Blake

32 G – 36 A – 68 Points

Higuchi is the latest in a long line of great Blake players which includes three former Ms. Hockey winners (Katharine Chute 2007, Dani Cameranisi 2013, Madeline Wethington 2019). A skilled forward who can both score and dish, Higuchi has racked up 68 points in 26 games.  Born in Saitama, Japan, Higuchi qualifies to play for Team Japan, so you may see her donning her native country’s Olympic jersey in the years to come. She will play collegiately at Yale University.

“I often times refer to Suzy as a magician. Her hand eye coordination, her hands, they’re unbelievable,” said Blake Head Coach Kristi King. “Often times Suzy leaves everyone with a jaw drop reaction. The plays Suzy makes are above and beyond the high school level. Suzy makes everyone around her better with her high hockey IQ and her work ethic. She also makes everyone around her better with how she leads by example and gives to the community.”

Lauren O’Hara – Forward – Centennial/Spring Lake Park

35 G – 20 A – 55 Points

O’Hara has a rare combination of size and skill. The 5’11” forward has led Centennial/Spring Lake Park to a top-10 ranking all season. She has 35 goals in 28 games and is coming off a 51-point season as a junior. She is a three-time Team MVP and will play next season at the University of Minnesota.

“Lauren has helped build a legacy at Centennial that will last many years.,” said head coach Sean Molin. “She was instrumental as a leader in changing the culture into a positive, winning one. She is adored by her teammates, and she is always the hardest worker on the ice. She stayed home, didn’t join one of the super teams, and was still able to achieve her goals. She is a perfect example of what a top girls hockey player in Minnesota should be. Others may have better stats due to the situations on their teams, or the competition they have faced, but none will likely have done more for their community and girls hockey in Minnesota than Lauren.”

Kamryn Van Batavia – Forward – Luverne

59 G – 20 A – 73 Points

Van Batavia is closing in on potentially becoming the all-time leading scorer in girls high school hockey history. That is quite an accomplishment. Last year, as a junior, she racked up 127 points. This season she leads the state with 59 goals. Currently she has 450 career points, ranking third behind Nicole Schammel (Red Wing, 457) and Natalie Darwitz (Eagan, 468).

She is committed to Minnesota State-Mankato.

“Kamryn loves the game of hockey. Her shot, strength, speed, knack for the puck, and constant motor all contribute to her dominance throughout her varsity career,” said head coach Tony Sandbulte. “Kamryn’s been a team Captain for the last two years. She leads with her unmatchable work ethic and she always rises up in times of need. Kamryn is a game-changer and has carried her team to three consecutive state tournaments. Kamryn is respected in our locker room, rink, and the Luverne community for not only being one of the best hockey players the state has to offer, but she’s a great person as well.”

Ms. Hockey Award Winners