How sweet it is to select our GHS Player of the Year finalists in February instead of March.

After a roller-coaster of a 2020-2021 season, we're enthusiastically back to our regular calendar. 

Over the course of the 2021-2022 season, the Youth Hockey Hub staff spent countless hours in rinks all over the state, snapping photos and comparing notes with other passionate supporters of the girls' high school game in Minnesota. 

Those observations, combined with near-silent reconnaissance and career examination, have helped lead to the penultimate list of five finalists. 

As opposed to years past, this year's list unintentionally includes five seniors, all of whom are headed for Division I programs when their prep careers end.

The list consists of two Ohio State commits, two Wisconsin commits, and a player pledged to Sacred Heart. 

Among these names are record-breakers, team captains, and international standouts, and their place on this list is a testament to their hard work, dedication, and talent. 

With that said, the Youth Hockey Hub is more than proud to present the finalists for the YHH GHS Player of the Year Award. 

Player: Claire Enright
Team: Lakeville South
Year: Senior
College commitment: Wisconsin 

Now in her fifth season of high school hockey, Enright has long been considered one of the top forwards in her age group, garnering national attention and earning a spot on the 2022 Team USA Under-18 team that was to compete at this year's IIHF Women's World Championships. 

Enright surpassed the 200-point threshold in a February game against Eastview this season, fittingly getting the 200th point on an overtime game-winner. 

The Wisconsin commit totaled 48 goals and 68 points during the 2021-2022 regular season, and her 48 goals ranked second statewide and tops among Class AA skaters. 

Player: Vivian Jungels
Team: Edina
Year: Senior
College commitment: Wisconsin 

A hockey fan could be forgiven for assuming Vivian Jungels was a forward based on her career statistics. 

A four-year stalwart on the blueline, Jungels has totaled 50 goals and 172 points for the Hornets, helping the Edina program to Class AA state championships in 2019 and 2021 and a 23-2 record this season.
Through 25 games, Jungels has totaled 13 goals and 43 points, leading the Hornets in both assists and total points.

Defensively, Jungels leads a core that helped goaltenders Uma Corniea and Nora Hannan combine for 12 shutouts, and the Hornets are allowing a state-low 0.80 goals-per-game average. 

Through those efforts, the Hornets are the top seed in an always-leaded Section 6AA and will receive a bye into the section semifinals. 

Player: Sloane Matthews
Team: Wayzata
Year: Senior
College commitment: Ohio State

How's this for saving your best for last?

Matthews put an exclamation point on her 2021-2022 regular season by leading the Trojans to a 6-3 upset victory over Minnetonka, which had been previously ranked No. 3 in Class AA. Matthews tallied a hat trick in the game to bring her season total to 32 goals and 51 points in 25 games.

The 51 points are the second-highest total of Matthews' career, and 2021-2022 marks the third season in which she has recorded 20 or more goals. 

A five-year contributor for the Trojans, Matthews has racked up 108 goals and 194 career points, and could hit the 200-point milestone with a productive Section 6AA playoff run. Thanks in part to the win over Minnetonka, the Trojans are the section's No. 3 seed.

Away from Wayzata, Matthews has shown well on the national stage, garnering an invitation to the 2022 USA Hockey Select 18 National Camp. 

Player: Emma Peschel 
Team: Benilde-St. Margaret's
Year: Senior
College commitment: Ohio State 

Peschel has spent the past four seasons patrolling the blueline for Benilde-St. Margaret's, and has added new wrinkles to her game each season. 

From a talented freshman with good reach and a competitive nature, Peschel has morphed into an offensive force and team leader, recording 14 goals and 32 points during the regular season. For her career, Peschel has notched 38 goals and 83 points in nearly 100 games. 

Like Enright, Peschel was one of eight Minnesotans selected for this year's canceled IIHF Under-18 Women's World Championships Team USA roster. 

Peschel is committed to Ohio State, where she'll be joined by fellow finalist Sloane Matthews. 

Player: Iyla Ryskamp
Team: Orono
Year: Senior
College commitment: Sacred Heart

The lone Class A player among the finalists, two-time Orono Ryskamp has spent most of her senior season rewriting the Spartan record books. 

Ryskamp leads the Orono program in career points, assists, and single-season points. This season alone, Ryskamp set records for goals and assists in a season, finishing the 2021-2022 campaign with 37 goals and 38 assists for 75 points. Ryskamp (106 goals) is also within striking distance of former Orono standout Becky Smith's career record for goals (113).

After falling to Chisago Lakes in overtime of last year's Section 5A finals, the Spartans have been awarded the No. 1 seed in their new home in Section 2A. Arguably the most competitive Class A section in the state, the Spartans have an excellent chance of a Class A State Tournament semifinal appearance if they can make it to St. Paul.