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.

Past winners include: