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

The semifinalists for the Jori Jones Award were announced by Let’s Play Hockey Wednesday. Eleven goalies were named to the list, which features the top senior goaltenders in the state.

Those goalies include: Ava Aarnio (Chisago Lakes), Sophie Cappiello (Prior Lake), Emma Covell (Westonka/Southwest Christian), Clairebella Hills (Andover), Grace Kemp (Cretin-Derham Hall), Kayden Larson (Blaine), Annika Magelee (Minnesota River), Janie McGawn (Blake), Payton Rolli (Warroad), Kayla Swartout (Holy Family), and Maken Underwood (Farmington).

These Semifinalists have combined for more than 17,600 saves in their careers and have combined for 429 wins and 169 shutouts.

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

In 1999, Let’s Play Hockey established the Senior Goalie of the Year Award with Katie Beauduy of Blaine named the first winner. Every year since, the award has been presented at the Ms. Hockey Award banquet. The award was named in honor of Jori Jones in 2024. Jones was a goaltender who was a semifinalist for the award in 2022. She passed away in August of 2023 at the age of 19.

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

The 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 winner, along with the Ms. Hockey and Senior Defenseman of the Year Award, will be named at the Ms. Hockey Banquet Sunday Feb. 22 at the Saint Paul Rivercentre. Tickets to the banquet can be purchased here.

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

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; 2025 – Layla Hemp, Minnetonka.

2026 Semifinalists:

Ava Aarnio • Chisago Lakes

Season Stats: 17-5-0  Saves: 413 GAA: 1.70 SV%: .918 SO: 6

Career Stats: 17-6-0  Saves: 455 GAA: 2.10  SV%: .903  SO: 6

To be a Top 10 team in the state you have to have a good goaltender, and the Wildcats have that in Ava Aarnio, who has helped lead Chisago lakes to a Top 10 ranking heading into section playoffs. Aarnio has played in 22 of the teams games and posted impressive numbers with 17 wins, a 1.70 goals against average and a .918 save percentage. Aarnio moved to Florida for a few years, but returned in time for her senior season.

“Ava is an excellent goalie and an even better person. Ava grew up in Chisago Lakes, but family circumstances forced a move to Florida in 9th grade. We are grateful her family moved back in time to have her back for her senior season with us. Her academics are flawless. She is a brilliant student. Ava has two middle schoolers as back-ups and does a fantastic job mentoring them and supporting them. Very coachable and a great leader. Ava is an incredibly resilient kid who has rolled with the moves her family has had to make and has become the backbone of our team both on and off the ice this season.” – Coach Peter Smothers

Sophie Cappiello • Prior Lake
Season Stats: 12-12-1  Saves: 661  GAA: 2.60  SV%: .910  SO: 2

Career Stats: 27-23-2  Saves: 1,285  GAA: 2.53  SV%: .906  SO: 9

Cappiello put together 10 games this season with 30-plus saves to help lead Prior Lake to a 14-11-1 regular season record.  She was an All-Conference Honrable Mention pick as a junior and has posted nine career shutouts and 27 career wins. Her and the Lakers faced defending section champion Holy Family in the section semifinals where Cappiello had 38 saves in a season-ending loss. She finished the season with 661 saves.

“She has been the backbone of our team this year. We have a very new defensive core and she has had to be leader and hold us together. Her stats are not the best in the state, but in regards to what is in front of her, she has done a great job and deserves to be in the conversation for this award.” – Coach Kiersten Nelson

Emma Covell • Westonka/Southwest Christian

Season Stats: 7-5-3 Saves: 314  GAA: 1.47  SV%: .935  SO: 3

Career Stats: 16-9-3  Saves 605  GAA: 1.61  SV%: .931  SO: 5

Covell split time most of the season with fellow senior Savannah Blohowiak, but was the go-to netminder come playoff time where she held Orono to one goal in a 3-1 win where she stopped 23 shots. That win came after a 13-save shutout in the quarterfinals against Pine City Area, her third shutout of the season. Covell was named to the All-Conference team in 2024-25 and has her team one game away from a state tournament berth.

“Emma is a stabilizer in the net for our team, giving her teammates confidence that they can compete with any team. She is a competitor and a team-first player who supports her counterpart in goal (another Senior) as well as the younger goalies in our program. She has become a wonderful mentor to our 8th-grade and 10th-grade JV goalies.” – Coach Larry Olimb

Clairebella Hills • Andover

Season Stats: 12-10-1  Saves: 525  GAA: 2.01  SV%: .919  SO: 3

Career Stats: 52-24-4  Saves: 1,435  GAA: 1.51  SV%: .922  SO: 23

Clairebella Hills has started the past three seasons for perennial power Andover and has more than 50 career wins as a varsity goaltender. She has helped lead Andover to the state tournament the past two seasons and hopes to make it a third this year. She has posted strong numbers with a sub-2.00 goals against average her sophomore and junior seasons and a save percentage above .900 throughout her tenure. As a sophomore she recoded 10 shutouts and had eight more as a junior. She has been a member of USA Hockey’s High Performance and Spring Festival programs and is a 4-year letter winner for the Huskies. She was named to the All-Tournament team at last year’s state tourney and was an All-Conference pick.

“Claire has been our starter for the last three seasons, playing one of the toughest schedules in the state. She has evolved from being one part of a highly experienced team in front of her to being our most important asset her senior year. Her compete level is unmatched. Every practice she competes her hardest and is extremely passionate about hockey and ways to make herself better. Her compete level sets her apart from every other goalie I have ever coached. Even off ice she is always competing to be the fastest in our warmup laps. How she does one thing is truly how she does everything. That consistent compete level sets her apart from her peers and will take her very far in life past hockey. In addition, it has been a privilege to watch Claire’s leadership grow and her impact on the Andover community. Young girls in our community love Claire! This is not just because she is our starting goalie, it is because she takes the time to get to know the girls and is always willing to volunteer her time in season and off season with our youth hockey program. She is extremely approachable and her love for the game is very apparent when she interacts with our young girls.” – Coach Melissa Volk

Kylie Jaksha • Wayzata

Season Stats: 17-7-1  Saves: 681  GAA: 1.57  SV%: .945  SO: 8

Career Stats: 17-7-1 Saves: 681  GAA 1.57  SV%: .945  SO: 8

Kylie Jaksha played just one season for Wayzata High School, but made it a record-breaking one. The senior set the school record for shutouts with eight, compiled 17 wins and put up an impressive .945 save percentage, seventh best in the state. She recorded 58 saves in a 2-1 loss to Benilde-St. Margaret’s, 40 saves in a 2-1 win over Maple Grove, and a 31-save shutout versus Blaine. In the section semifinals against BSM she recorded 32 saves in a tough 3-2 loss. A native of Montana, she is currently uncommitted, but hopes to play college hockey.

“Kylie quickly integrated and became the backbone of our Lake Conference/Section 6AA team. Set school record for shutouts in a season and provided confidence for a team with 13 non-letter winning players in the line up. Reminds me of former Trojan boys great Will Ingemann (University of St. Thomas). Entering the recruiting period too late, she’s a free agent tender with D1 abilities.”

Grace Kemp • Cretin-Derham Hall

Season Stats: 12-13-0  Saves: 869  GAA: 1.80  SV%: .951  SO: 8

Career Stats: 49-49-3 Saves: 2,874  GAA 2.21  SV%: .926  SO: 19

Grace Kemp has had an outstanding senior season with a .951 save percentage and 869 saves while logging 1277:30 minutes. She has had eight 40-plus save games including one game where she stopped 70 shots against Hill-Murray. She also had shutout wins of 41, 35 and 33 saves and has reached 2,800 saves in her career. She is a 4-year starter and 3-time All-Conference player. In her carer she has logged over 5,000 minutes and has won 49 games. She is a 3-sport athlete who also competes in flag football and softball.

“Grace makes every player on our team better. She led us to the Section 3AA Final as a freshman, losing in double overtime 3-2 to Rosemount. Grace put’s our team on her back every game! She has high end goalie skills and amazing vision. She has explosive quickness and and strength. Grace is our MVP and she gives us a great chance to win every game we play. Her compete level and focus are off the charts. Grace has dedicated herself to becoming the best student-athlete she can be, training year round with our top Minnesota goalie instructors. Aside from leading our team in every practice, she does a separate individual goalie practice at 6AM once a week. Her self-discipline, concentration level, and optimistic attitude fuel our team and give us a great chance to make some noise in the play-offs this year!” – Coach Tony Scheid

Kayden Larson • Blaine

Season Stats: 8-15-3  Saves: 762  GAA: 2.32  SV%: .926. SO: 3

Career Stats: 23-26-4  Saves: 1,556  GAA: 2.13  SV%: .932  SO: 10

College: Lake Forest

Larson played in all 26 games her senior season and although the team had a losing record, she was a bright spot in goal, stopping 762 shots and posting an impressive .926 save percentage. She had 11 games with 30 or more saves, including games where she stopped 50, 56 and 62. She is a two-year starter for the Bengals and was named All-State Honoable Mention as a junior. She was an All-Conference pick and Team MVP as a junior and was named captain for her senior season. She will continue her hockey career at Lake Forest College.

“Her movement is exceptional and she is very athletic, her recoveries are off the charts quick, both recovering to her feet and her on ice recoveries. She has very good positioning, and is unbelievably coachable. Our goalie coach Steve Guider who has coached 11 D1 goalies at Blaine, 3 of which won the Goalie of the year award and one Frank Brimsek Award winner marvels at her overall abilities, her quickness and coachability and thinks her play is among the best of Blaine goaltenders in the history of the program. He says ‘she has the ability to quickly learn a new skill and immediately apply it to her game and be successful with it.’ KK is small in stature at 5’3″. To be that size and be as successful as she has, can be attributed to her movement and positioning. KK means everything to our team, at times when we struggle, she almost always comes through with big saves to keep us in games and gives us a chance every night making save after great save. Aside from all of her abilities as a goaltender she is an all-around exceptional and well-rounded kid.” – Coach Calla Athman

Annika Magelee • Minnesota River

Season Stats: 21-5-1  Saves: 564  GAA: 1.52  SV%: .934  SO: 6

Career Stats: 64-34-6  Saves: 2,224  GAA: 1.93  SV%: .917  SO: 26

Magelee holds every goaltender record in Minnesota River program history as a four-year starter who has appeared in 105 games.  She earned All-Conference Honorable Mention as a junior and has been a big reason Minnesota River has held a Top 10 ranking in Class A and is a section contender. She stopped 43 shots in a 4-4 tie with #6A Mankato East earlier this season and also had a 44-save effort against defending state champion Dodge County as well. Magelee has helped lead Minnesota River to the Section Championship game against top-seeded Mankato East. She has more than 2,000 career saves and an astounding 26 shutouts in her career and has compiled a 64-34-6 record.  A multi-sport athlete, she will compete in track and field at the University of Minnesota-Duluth.

“Annika is a tremendous goalie. She keeps our team in every game and is one of the main reasons this current group has a solid chance to make a trip to the state tournament. Her dedication and relentless work ethic both on and off the ice have been key factors in the success she has had. She is exceptional in her positioning and always makes the first save. She brings her best in the biggest moments, and as a result our group has tremendous confidence anytime #1 is in net. Annika holds every goalie record for Minnesota River. In addition to her outstanding goalie abilities, Annika is an even better kid. This tremendous student athlete recently committed to The University of Minnesota, Duluth to continue her academic and athletic excellence. Annika’s ability to excel in academics, arts, and athletics shows an incredible amount of drive, discipline, and time management skills. She is an excellent role model for young athletes in our hockey program and a 2-year captain for the high school program. – Coach Dustin Swenson

Janie McGawn • Blake

Season Stats: 19-6-0  Saves: 617  GAA: 1.27  SV%: .951  SO: 8

Career Stats: 49-36-3  Saves: 2,673  GAA: 1.84  SV%: .942  SO: 21

College: Dartmouth

McGawn has been a mainstay in the crease for Blake for four seasons and eclipsed 2,500 career saves this year. She has a long list of accolades that include winning the MN District U19 Girls Teier 1 Championship, was a member of the team that won the USA Hockey U16 Tier 1 National Championship, was a Dangle League All-Star, won the U14 Girls Tier I State Championship, is a 2-time All-Conference player, was 2025 IMAC Co-Player of the Year, won the Team MVP Award last season, and was named All-State last year as well. Her .951 save percentage is currently ranked fourth in the state and she has a career save percentage of .943 and has 49 career wins. She will continue her hockey career at Dartmouth.

“Over her career, Janie has recorded 21 shutouts, including eight this season alone, an achievement that speaks to her consistency, poise, and mental toughness in the biggest moments.  Beyond the numbers, Janie is the definition of a complete student-athlete. She earned multiple collegiate offers, including from WCHA programs, but ultimately chose Dartmouth because she valued the academic fit and long-term opportunity it provided. That decision reflects who Janie is: thoughtful, driven, and grounded, with a clear sense of purpose and values. Perhaps most impressive is the impact Janie has on everyone around her. She is an incredible leader, a trusted teammate, and a presence that elevates everyone around her. She leads with humility, confidence, and care, and is genuinely beloved by coaches, teammates, opponents, and officials alike. Janie is a special athlete, an even better person, and truly one of a kind. I cannot think of anyone more deserving of this honor. Janie McGawn embodies the true spirit of the Jori Jones Award; excellence in goal, unwavering competitiveness, leadership through character, and a lasting impact on her team and community. Her legacy extends far beyond wins and statistics, and she represents exactly what this award was created to honor.” – Coach Kristi King

Payton Rolli • Warroad

Season Stats: 20-5-1 Saves: 465  GAA: 1.31  SV%: .932  SO: 9

Career Stats: 65-17-1  Saves: 1,541  GAA: 1.35  SV%: .933  SO: 22

College: University of Minnesota

A three-year letter winner for the Lady Warriors, Payton Rolli has been a steady presence in net for the team that has been to the finals the past four years with hopes of making a fifth consecutive trip this season. If they do, Rolli will be a big reason why. The netminder has nine shutouts and a .932 save percentage to go with 20 wins. She posted a 38-save performance in a 2-2 tie with #1AA Hill-Murray, and a 32-save performance against Edina in a 2-0 loss that included an empty netter. In 2023-24 she  she was a member of the Class A All-Tournament Team after helping lead the Warriors to the state title. She was voted TEAM MVP and Rookie of the Year in same season. She was also named to the All-Tournament Team again in 2024-25 and voted TEAM MVP. She is a two-time captain and in her career has won 65 games with more than 1,500 saves. She will continue her hockey career at the University of Minnesota.

“Payton Rolli has a disciplined work ethic, is dedicated growing as a goalie, and is a leader among her teammates. Payton’s determination and competitive nature are noticeable. She has a very focused daily routine and is always prepared. I am proud of Payton and excited to watch her game continue to grow this season and next year at the University of Minnesota.” – Coach David Mavin

Kayla Swartout • Holy Family

Season Stats: 20-3-0 Saves: 564  GAA: 1.50  SV%: .943  SO: 5

Career Stats: 58-21-1  Saves: 1,873  GAA: 1.55  SV%: .938  SO: 18

College: University of Wisconsin

Kayla Swartout helped lead Holy family to their first state tournament appearance in program history last season. She is poised to repeat the feat this season and has had a stellar senior year with 20 wins and a .943 save percentage while leading the Fire to the No. 1 ranking for a good portion of the year. She is in her fourth varsity season and has compiled 58 wins and more than 1,800 saves. She was named All-Conference, All-State Honorable Mention and made the All-Tournament team last season after the Fire finished third at state. She has also been a member of the 2025 U16 National Championship team where she earned All-Tournament honors. She will continue her hockey career at the University of Wisconsin.

“Kayla is a pro’s pro. She has been the backbone of our program for the past three seasons and was instrumental in HF making history last year with our run to state. This season, she has only continued to elevate her game. Her dedication to our program and her teammates is unmatched, and her work ethic sets the standard for our program every day. Her individual statistics speak for themselves while competing against one of the toughest schedules in the state, including 10 wins this season alone over top-10 teams. Kayla carries that same level of excellence into the classroom, where she maintains a 4.0 GPA. I cannot say enough good things about this exceptional young woman! – Coach Randy Koeppl

Makena Underwood • Farmington

Season Stats: 16-4-1 Saves: 435  GAA: 1.70  SV%: .924  SO: 5

Career Stats: 34-12-2  Saves: 1,095  GAA: 2.24  SV%: .911  SO: 10

College: St. Michael’s College

Makena Underwood is in her third year as the starting varsity goaltender for the Tigers and she continues to get better with age. Now a senior, she is one of the semifinalists for the Jori Jones Award. She has posted 16 wins this season and a .924 save percentage, helping the Tigers to the Section 1AA championship game. She has had 13, 20-plus save games this year and posted five shutouts. She has been a member of the High performance Spring Festival for four years and was an attendee at the US National Camp. She played in the Upper Midwest HS Elite League, and was twice named the Hegland Award winner at Farmington, given to an athlete who shows the most grit. She was an All-Conference selection last season and played an integral role on leading the Tigers to state in 2024-25. She will continue her hockey career playing Division I at St Michael’s College in Vermont.

“I have known Kena for her entire high school career and even before in middle school and elementary school as I have been fortunate enough to work with her youth teams in our community as she has grown. She understands that paths have been paved before she made it to where she is and that it is her job to continue to open doors for those behind her so they may have even greater success. Kena always recognizes her own contributions to every situation whether that situation is good or bad. She understands that she needs to be part of solutions and growth rather than negativity and blame. Kena is the epitome of what coaches and community builders want from the youth . Her character combined with her skill makes her and everyone around her a better player and human. Kena is always a role model for all students, athletes, and community members. She is well known for her honesty, integrity, and compassionate attitude and she truly has the mentality to show up and do the work no matter the situation or circumstance. Whether it is daily practices, weights, film, team meetings, helping with youth practices, having an active role in practice planning and preparing for games or just being available for when someone needs an ear or advice, Kena is a genuine leader. Kena has one of the greatest work ethics I have seen in a hockey player as she is inquisitive and will try anything you ask of her to help the team. She has a special rapport with people due to her inherent nature where she treats everyone with the respect and enthusiasm she demands from herself. She has a great sense of how to handle many different situations appropriately and the vision required to provide the support and assistance to our team and community that has allowed people around her to have a successful experience. She is the most hard working and dedicated individual who always keeps the best interests of those around her in mind when making decisions. Kena is an outstanding advocate for her teams, the community, and her friends. I trust Kena not only with our team and younger athletes in our community, but with my own success and legacy, without question.” – Coach Jon Holmes