The Sue Ring-Jarvi Girls Player of the Year Award is named after one of the pioneering figures in girls and women's hockey in the state's history. The Roseville native organized and played on the first University of Minnesota Women's Hockey Club Team in 1974.
Ring-Jarvi, daughter of Jane Ring, another matriarch of the girls' hockey scene in Minnesota, who helped form teams in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Minnetonka, Hopkins, Burnsville, Mounds View, Bloomington, and Roseville.
With so many great players to choose from narrowing it to five players was very difficult. With the addition of a Girls High School Player of the Year award, these nominations are reserved for only youth players who have demonstrated elite talent, strong leadership skills, and unbridled passion for the game.
Bormes has led a resurgence of Buffalo girls' youth hockey this season, helping the Bison to the 15A State Tournament after a four-game run through the Region tournament. Bormes led all 15A skaters during Region play with four goals and eight points.
During this season's tournaments, Bormes racked up 12 goals and 16 points during the Moose Goheen event, plus another four-goal, eight-point performance during Alexandria's 15A VFW tournament. The Bison have an impressive record of 39-7-8 this season, and will face Alexandria in the opening round of the state tourney.
Alyson Bormes, Buffalo 15A
One of the top offensive catalysts for the 12A State Tournament-bound Hornets, Kragness can do it all - handle the puck in tight spaces, find narrow passing seams, and get to the high-percentage areas.
Kragness’s play has helped the Hornets to a record of 46-7 entering state tournament weekend, and a 15-game winning streak to boot. Kragness totaled three goals and six points in three Region games last week, and finished among the top scorers in YHH’s Danglefest with six goals and 11 points.
Among all skaters at the St. Luke’s Icebreaker, Kragness finished tied with McKinley Howarth of Superior’s 15B team with 17 total points in five games.
Leighton Kragness, Edina 12A
The lone 15A player on this list, Nichols has the ability to control the game whenever she steps on the ice. Perhaps no other player at this level has the same ability to find gaps, utilize space, and put as deft a touch on the puck as Nichols.
Nichols led the Stormhawks to a championship and perfect 4-0 record at the YHH Danlgefest in December with five goals and 12 points, then followed that performance with six goals and nine points at the St. Luke’s Icebreaker, which the Stormhawks also won.
In 21 games tracked by GameSheet this season, Nichols has totaled 31 goals and 56 points. The Stormhawks will take on Duluth in the first round of the 15A State Tournament this weekend.
Audrey Nichols, Chaska/Chanhassen 15A
Rosenthal becomes the first player from the Squirt ranks to be a finalist for the Sue Ring-Jarvi Award, earning consideration after an outstanding season with Roseville’s Squirt A team.
A speedy and crafty defender, Rosenthal’s performance rose to the occasion several times during the season for the 26-6-1 Raiders, routinely making her one of the top-scoring Raiders during tournament play.
During the biggest event of the season, the renowned Fargo Squirt International, Rosenthal helped the Raiders to a 4-1 record, with the only loss coming by a single goal against Minnetonka. Rosenthal tied for the team-lead in assists with four, and concluded the tournament with seven points.
Haley Rosenthal, Roseville Squirt A
Perhaps no player among YHH’s end-of-season award nominees has a better blend of speed and power than Skoglund. She is a force to be reckoned with on both ends of the ice, and provides leadership on the Royal Tornado bench.
Like all great players, Skoglund’s level of play amps up when her team’s back is against the wall.
After falling to Grand Rapids/Greenway in the semifinals of the North Region bracket, Skoglund made getting Anoka/Rogers to the 12A State Tournament her life’s mission. One loss from elimination, Skoglund tallied six goals and nine points in three games to help the Royal Tornadoes punch their ticket to Woodbury.
Lucy Skoglund, Anoka/Rogers 12A
Year | Player | Team | Level | College Commitment |
---|---|---|---|---|
2024 | Josie Kelzenberg | Centennial/Spring Lake Park | 12A | |
2023 | Talla Hansen | Wayzata | 15A | |
2022 | Bailey Rupp | Bemidji | 12A | |
2021 | Hannah Christenson | Andover | 15A | Northeastern |
2020 | Whitney Horton | Edina | 12A | St. Thomas |
2019 | Josie St. Martin | Stillwater | 12A | Ohio State |