Winner to be announced Sunday, Feb. 23 at annual Ms. Hockey Banquet

The five finalists for the 2025 Ms. Hockey Award  have been named.

The award is given to the state’s top senior player. This year’s finalists are Mercury Bischoff (Grand Rapids/Greenway), Mackenzie Jones (Andover), Teagan Kulenkamp (Centennial/Spring Lake Park), Makayla Moran (Apple Valley) and Sophie Stramel (Rosemount).

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: Zoe Lopez (Orono), Macy Rasmussen (Orono), Mika Cichosz (Albert Lea), Whitney Horton (Edina), Lily Pachl (South St. Paul) and Payton Remick (Roseau).

This year’s finalists have combined for 159 goals and 149 assists for 308 points. All five will play Division I hockey.

The five finalists:

Mercury Bischoff scored two goals in the Section 7AA final, giving her 58 on the season and 233 in her career. She finishes the season with 86 points, which was most in the state. She has 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.

Mackenzie Jones has been a 4-year starter for Andover, a team with a lineup that isn’t easy to crack as a freshman. Since she joined the Huskies her freshmen year Jones has been a steady presence on the blue line where she has excelled both defensively and offensively. Last season she earned all-state honors with a 47-point campaign. This season she has helped the Huskies return to state yet again with 34 points (9g, 25a).  A skilled skater who can move the puck well and has a lethal shot and high hockey IQ makes Jones a top-5 player in the state. She will continue her playing career at the University of Wisconsin.

Teagan Kulenkamp is Centennial/Spring Lake Park’s spark plug, an offensive force for the Cougars with 70 points this season, fourth in the state and second in Class AA behind Bischoff. A gifted playmaker, she leads the state in assists with 44 and helped lead the Cougars to a top-5 ranking all season. In 113 career games she has 143 career points. A strong skater with a high hockey IQ, Kulenkamp will continue her playing career at St. Thomas.

Makayla Moran is a 6-year starter at Apple Valley and even led the team in scoring as a seventh grader. Now a senior, she has racked up 337 points and has scored 195 goals, including 38 this season. It was her fourth 30-goal season in a row and fourth straight season with more than 60 points. A natural scorer with playmaking ability, she ranks in the Top 25 all time in points and is tied for 17th in state history in goals scored. Moran will continue her playing career at Minnesota State.

Sophie Stramel scored the game-winning  goal in Rosemount’s section final win over Eastview, one of many big goals she has scored over the season and over the years for the Irish. This season she has put up 28s across the board. In 28 games played she has recorded 28 goals and 28 assists. She recently became a member of the 200-point club. Known for her lethal shot, she is also a skilled playmaker with 119 career assists. She will continue her playing career at Minnesota State.

The winner of the 2025 Ms. Hockey Award will be announced at the Ms. Hockey Banquet on Sunday, Feb. 23 at the Saint Paul Rivercentre along with the Jori Jones Award , given to the state’s top senior goaltender. 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: 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).

Ms. Hockey Award Finalists

MERCURY BISCHOFF – GRAND RAPIDS/GREENWAY

Position: F/W  2024-25 – Games: 28 Goals: 58 Assists: 28  Points: 86  Career: 155G-233G-148A-381PTS College: Minnesota State

Bischoff has put together a phenomenal career for the Lightning, recording 379 points to date in her six seasons as a varsity player. She has scored more than 30 goals five times, 40 goals three times and has 56 goals so far this season. The crafty forward has 233 career goals and 148 career assists and is a four-time all state selection. Her 381 points to date ranks tied for 12th all time in the state. Bischoff isn’t just a hockey player, also playing tennis and lacrosse. She has been captain of the hockey team the past three seasons and is the all-time leading scorer in school history. She will continue her hockey career at Minnesota State.

Coach’s Comments: “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. Besides the aforementioned, 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. Mercury transcends the sport in our hockey-mad town of Grand Rapids. She knows her place as a role model that people — kids and adults alike — gravitate to watch while equally giving back to hockey and the greater community off the ice.” – Brad Hyduke

MACKENZIE JONES – ANDOVER

Position: D  2024-25 – Games: 28 Goals: 9 Assists: 25  Points: 34  Career: 120G-43G-85A-128PTS  College: University of Wisconsin

Jones has been a 4-year starter for the Huskies and was a member of the state champion Andover team that went 30-0-0 in 2021-22. She was an all-tourney selection that year. The following season the Huskies finished second and Jones was an all-state honorable mention pick. She was All-State pick last season and the team MVP as a junior. after tallying 47 points (18-29). This year she is a senior captain and a stalwart on the blue line. She has also attended the USA U18 National Camp for three years, and was a member of the USA U18 Festival Team in 2023. Jones is committed to the University of Wisconsin.

Coach’s Comments: “Mack is known to be one of the best defensemen in the state with a lethal shot. She has played in every situation for us since her freshman year and is heavily leaned on in order for our team to have success. Equally important to her play is the leadership she brings to our program and her character as a person. She is a two-year captain who is loved by her teammates. She truly loves coming to the rink and her positive energy is very contagious to her teammates, which I am very grateful for as a coach. That positive energy is also one of the reasons why she is a fan favorite to all the young girls in our youth hockey program. Mack is a household name in our hockey community!” –  Melissa Volk

TEAGAN KULENKAMP – CENTENNIAL/SPRING LAKE PARK

Position: C  2024-25 – Games: 28 Goals: 26 Assists: 44  Points: 70  Career: 114G-57G-86A-143PTS  College: St. Thomas

Kulenkamp has been the offensive engine for Centennial/Spring Lake Park, leading them to a great season where they spent several weeks as the No. 1 team in the state and leading them to a current record of 26-2-0. She was a participant int he Team USA U18 National Camp and was a member of the Tier 1 U14 National Champion team. She helped lead the Cougars to the state tournament a year ago, their fifth in program history. She is an adept playmaker, currently leading the state in assists with 44. But she also has a knack for the net, notching 26 goals and giving her 70 points, ranking fourth in the state and second in Class AA. She will continue her playing career at the University of St. Thomas.

Coach’s Comments: “Teagan Kulenkamp is a remarkable athlete and a strong leader, serving as captain for both her junior and senior years. Her elite hockey IQ sets her apart on the ice, allowing her to make quick, strategic decisions that benefit her team. With a natural scoring prowess and excellent playmaking abilities, Teagan consistently finds ways to contribute offensively, showcasing her tenacity and determination. Her leadership has been a key factor in our team’s success, guiding us to three section final appearances and one state tournament appearance. As she leads a talented CSLP team in her senior year, Teagan exemplifies the qualities of a true champion.”  –  Sean Molin

MAKAYLA MORAN – APPLE VALLEY

Position: F  2024-25 – Games: 25 Goals: 38 Assists: 24  Points: 62  Career: 151G-195G-142A-337PTS  College: Minnesota State

Moran has been the mark of consistency with four consecutive seasons of 60-plus points. A 6-year starter for Apple Valley, she has reached an incredible 337 points in her career, including 195 goals in 151 games. She is a multi-sport athlete, competing in soccer, golf and lacrosse and is also a District 8 hockey official. She has been named to the All-Metro team four times, earned All-State Honorable Mention honors as a sophomore and All-State last year as a junior. She has been named Team MVP four years in a row and this year scored 30-plus goals for the fourth time in her career (she scored 29 as an eighth grader). She led the team in scoring as a seventh grader as well. Her 38 goals this season ranks sixth overall in the state and second amongst Class AA players. She will continue her playing career at Minnesota State.

Coach’s Comments: “Makayla is a 6-year letter winner and 2-year captain and is a tremendous leader on and off of the ice. She is a 200- foot player who plays with a high compete level, has great vision as a playmaker, and is a threat to score anytime she touches the puck. This year, Makayla has has broken the school record for career points, career goals and become a member of the 300-point club.”  –  Chris Sikich

SOPHIE STRAMEL – ROSEMOUNT

Position: F  2024-25 – Games: 28 Goals: 28 Assists: 28  Points: 56  Career: 134G-83G-119A-202PTS  College: Minnesota State

Stramel has been an All-Conference selection for each year she has played varsity hockey in Rosemount, which started in her eighth grade year. She was named Team MVP the past two seasons and this season has increased her point total from 37 last year to 56. She is a 3-year captain and helped lead the Irish to state in 2022-23 and 2023-24 and now again in 2024-25. She has also participated in Team USA National Player Development Camp in 2002 and 2023 and was a member of the HP Final 54. Known for her lethal shot, she has netted 83 career goals and recently eclipsed 200 career points. On Wednesday she scored the lone goal in a 1-0 over Eastview to send Rosemount to their third straight state tournament.  She will continue her hockey career at Minnesota State.

Coach’s Comments: “Sophie is the heartbeat of the Rosemount Irish Girls Hockey program. She is our leader both on and off the ice bringing our program to back-to-back state tournament appearances. Sophie is a true role model for all of the girls in the Irish high school and youth hockey programs. Her love for hockey is contagious and she is constantly going above and beyond to better our program. Sophie is an ambassador not just for Rosemount hockey but Minnesota hockey as well. The girls hockey community notices Sophie’s passion and love for the game. Sophie has been instrumental in changing the culture of Rosemount girls hockey. Her desire to compete at a high standard is contagious to everybody in the program. Sophie excels in big moments and has many of the biggest goals in program history including an overtime section final goal to send our team to the state tournament for the second time ever. Sophie is the hardest worker on the ice every single day at both practices and games. She never takes a day off and sets the standard for her teammates. Sophie does this while creating an inclusive environment for her teammates to be themselves and thrive.”  – Co-Coaches Jennifer Williams and Kyle Finn

ABOUT 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 Jori Jones Senior Goalie of the Year Award winner.

FORMER WINNERS:

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