After Christmas, our scouts made it to Minnesota for the Walser Holiday Tournament. Report is solely based on play from this tournament. Players are listed under their team names in descending letter grade order.
Edina
Hannah Halverson #10 (Edina High School, F, 2024) : Halverson is such a talented and skilled player. She can do just about anything she sets her mind to. She had a beautiful toe drag move for a goal against Grand Rapids. She has great hands and a release that can catch the goalie off guard. Halverson always shows up and she has the speed and know-how to beat the opposition. Grade: A+
Lorelai Nelson #12 (Edina High School, F, 2026) : Nelson is a young and talented player who can play beyond her years. She is skilled and can stand out. Her confidence and her abilities are above average for her age group. She is smart and disciplined. A team player who can give her team a winning edge. She is creative and crafty. She puts up numbers and is determined to play for the W. Nelson made significant contributions on the power play, executing a cross-body catch-and-release for a goal and showcasing athleticism in her movements. Another one of her goals she came streaking in off the bench, further highlighting her ability to capitalize on opportunities. She has strong offensive instincts and puts herself in strong positions to contribute. Grade: A
Kayla Starr #5 (Edina High School, F, 2027) : Starr showcased exceptional open-ice speed, consistently winning 50/50 puck battles with her impressive acceleration and athletic prowess. She used her quick first step and relentless work ethic to regain possession which further underscored her impact on the game. Every viewing of her has her all around pucks, either in pursuit, pressuring, or on the retrieval. The young freshman showed a lot of potential with a high ceiling. She plays absolutely fearlessly against her older opponents and with total confidence. Grade: A-
Whitney Horton #15 (Edina High School, F, 2025) : Horton is a speedy and skilled player who can make good things happen for her team. She is confident and creative. She generates offense and has great vision. She can control the puck and has great hands. Horton can be dangerous with or without the puck. She is a team player and is determined to win games. Horton displayed strength and creativity, particularly in the corners, with patience on the puck and an ability to roll off pressure with ease. Her strong and physical play, combined with a heavy shot and effective weaving on the rush, contributed to her overall impact. Grade: A-
Cate McCoy #8 (Edina High School, F, 2026) : McCoy’s goal-scoring prowess was evident in one of her goals for her team, with a well-executed shot through a screen. Despite not possessing a heavy shot, McCoy displayed decent accuracy. IHer straight-line speed and skilled handling in traffic highlighted her ability to challenge opponents one-on-one. In doing so she was often able to push defenders back on their heels making it hard to control their gaps on her. Grade: A-
Taylor Porthan #6 (Edina High School, D, 2024) : Porthan is such a smart and dedicated player. She is aware and does not get overwhelmed or throw the puck away. She has great awareness and IQ. She defends well and has the speed and knowledge to bring the puck in herself if she needs to. She does a great job feeding the puck and hits her targets. She is strong and reliable. Porthan is a consistent player who shows up. Porthan’s offensive contributions were highlighted by her adept footwork off the offensive blue line, creating shooting and passing opportunities that lead to high quality scoring chances. She demonstrated good speed on the rush, clean zone entries, and excellent vision. Porthan’s athleticism and quick first step added dynamism to her overall play. Grade: A-
Stella Hankinson #9 (Edina High School, F, 2025) : Hankinson contributed to her team’s offense in a number of ways. And while one of her goals may not have been the hardest shot from the point, she did catch the goaltender off guard. She consistently creates lanes and puts pucks to the net. Her quick wheels, precise passing, and athletic movements demonstrated her effectiveness on the ice, despite her smaller stature. Grade: A-
Nora McConnell #2 (Edina High School, D, 2024) : McConnel demonstrated remarkable scoring abilities with her team’s fourth goal of the game. Her ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities from a specific location underscores her strategic positioning and proficiency in finding the back of the net. Additionally, McConnel showcased impressive vision and playmaking skills by delivering seam passes that led to goals. Her vision to make those passes not only highlighted her awareness of the game but also contributed directly to her team’s offensive success. McConnel’s capacity to score with precision and facilitate scoring opportunities for her teammates exemplifies her valuable and versatile contribution to the team’s overall performance. Grade: B+
Kaylee Indrogo Lam #21 – Indrogo-Lam is a speedy player who has grit and hockey sense. She sets it up and plays for her team. She has a good work ethic and does not hesitate to get into the corners and battle for control. She does a nice job on the face-offs and can put the puck where she wants. Lam puts herself in scoring positions and can be an unselfish player. She plays for the win. Grade: B+
Taylor Gardner #19 (Edina High School, D, 2023) : Gardner’s standout feature was her incredible gap control, consistently standing up at the defensive blue line. This skill was crucial in disrupting opposing offenses and showcasing her defensive prowess. She forced a lot of turnovers and made zone entries difficult on her opponents. Grade: B+
Libby Moe #7 (Edina High School, D, 2027) : Moe exhibited a strong defensive presence, excelling in one-on-one situations with effective body play and maintaining solid gaps. Her disciplined approach, with a focus on stick-on-puck play, showcased her commitment to defensive responsibilities. Moe was consistently strong defensively in every viewing of her. Grade: B+
Grand Rapids-Greenway
Riley Toivonen #1 (Grand Rapids-Greenway, G) : Toivonen demonstrated exceptional athleticism in her movements, particularly in her butterfly technique where she made herself imposingly large. Positioned aggressively on top of the crease, she effectively challenged shooters and remained upright on distant shots. Despite facing challenges with defensive support and battling through screens created by her own teammates, Toivonen showcased strong skating abilities, with notable edge work in her butterfly stance. Additionally, her proactive approach to playing the puck, coupled with her overall athleticism, made her a formidable presence in the crease. While facing adversity, Toivonen’s efforts were commendable, as she made key saves and demonstrated versatility in her skills. Grade: A
Mercury Bischoff #12 (Grand Rapids-Greenway, F, 2025) : Mercury is a skilled and talented player, there is no doubt about that. Her vision and instincts are top notch. She is hard to read and hard to defend. Her release and her shot can take everyone off guard. She knows how to produce and gets her chances more than most. Mercury is an offensive threat and is dangerous with the puck. Bischoff’s offensive impact was highlighted by tallying goals, featuring a catch-and-release cross-body shot that showcased her powerful shooting ability with time and space. Bischoff consistently positioned herself well on the ice to be an offensive option and displayed quality skating. Her athletic movements and effective setup on the power play reflected her versatility and playmaking skills, demonstrating an ability to move her feet skillfully when given time. Grade: A
Kylie DeBay #8 (Northern Elite Green, F, 2024) : DeBay is a younger player who is starting to show some talent and abilities. She keeps her head down and just goes for it. She plays well when her back is against the wall. She does not quit or give up. She can play well with Bischoff and generates offense when she gets the chance. She has vision and finds her way around the ice. DeBay, characterized by her small and speedy stature, showcased the ability to accelerate and create opportunities when the puck was on her stick. Surprisingly, she wielded a heavy shot for her size. Despite encountering a lack of support, DeBay’s individual skills, including her shot and speed, made her a notable threat on the ice. Grade: B+
Allie LeClaire #7 (Grand Rapids-Greenway, D, 2024) : A strong defender who does not hesitate to be physical and use her body. She does a nice job protecting the puck and getting pucks cleared out of the D zone. She keeps her head up and on a swivel. She is a reliable stay at home defender who does a nice job on special teams and defending her D zone.LeClaire’s contribution included a powerful one-timer for goals on the power play. Possessing good size, she delivered heavy passes but faced challenges in moving her feet effectively. Despite this, LeClaire’s scoring ability and physical presence were evident. Grade: B
Andover
Hanna Olson #28 (MN Jr. White Caps White, F, 2025) : Olson has speed and know-how. She is gritty and plays hard. She angles the opposing forward and pressures them, forcing them to cough up the puck. She is another player who takes advantage of her moments. She is strong on her skates and does a great job generating offense. She fights in the small ice areas and battles until she comes out with control of the puck. Grade: A
Maya Engler #11 (Andover High School, F, 2025, St. Thomas) : Engler has been a consistent player and relied upon by her team. She can make things happen at the right moment and is dangerous in front of the net. She has a quick release and can be a threat with the puck. Engler can come at you hard and fast and cause turnovers or mistakes. She will take advantage of her opportunities. Grade: A
Ella Thoreson #2 (Andover High School, D, 2025) : Thoreson made a significant impact on the game with a well-executed assist on her team’s first goal. Cycling up high, she created valuable space, drew opposing players out of position, and skillfully threaded a seam pass to the low slot. Despite her smaller stature, Thoreson displayed a willingness to throw her body around in the corners, contributing both offensively and physically. She was strong on the puck and consistently showed a strong Hockey IQ. Grade: A-
Hannah Christenson #9 (Andover High School, F, 2025) : Christenson is so quick and crafty. She is an offensive threat and can fly under the radar. A sneaky player who can come in behind you and who takes advantage of her opportunities. An intelligent hockey player who can make split second decisions when or if she needs to. Christenson knows how to produce and puts herself in the right place at the right time. Christens displayed heavy puck pursuit, straight-line speed, and great positioning as the F1. She consistently forced turnovers and jumped on pucks to make transition plays quickly. A solid two-way forward with lots of room to grow her game with the puck on her stick, but does a lot of quality work when the puck is not on her stick. Grade: A-
Cailin Mumm #4 (Andover High School, D, 2024) : Mumm is a tough competitor. She is very smart and keeps her head on a swivel always looking for her options. She makes some amazing passes and hits her target. Her vision is fantastic, and she does not miss her moments. Tough to beat defensively, Mumm is a strong defender and reliable in the big games. She does not shy away from the play or back down from the battle. A fighter who plays to win. Mumm exhibited quality puck control and patience on the power play, creating opportunities with her speed and displaying athleticism. Her size added to her effectiveness on the ice, and her movements demonstrated a high level of skill and control. Grade: A-
Nora Sauer #8 (Andover High School, F, 2024) : Sauer’s standout feature was her excellent back tracking and angling, particularly on the penalty kill. Defensively sound with a keen sense of the game, she consistently applied stick-on-puck pressure, demonstrating a big stride and the ability to disrupt plays along the boards and run players off the pucks. Grade: A-
Avery Kasick #28 (Andover High School, D, 2025) : Kasick scored the first goal of the game for her team showcasing her ability to find open space and execute a catch-and-release shot with precision. Always in motion with quick feet, Kasick contributed to her team’s scoring efforts and set the tone early in each game and each shift. Everything she does is with good pace and effort. Grade: A-
Mackenzie Jones #3 (Andover High School, D, 2025) : Jones is a smart and strong defender. She has great size and uses that to her advantage. She releases the puck at the right time and gets it through traffic and on net. She steps up to the play and does not hesitate. She is an intelligent player who defends very well. Jones is not easy to beat and can play with an edge. Jones showcased strength along the boards and in the corners, utilizing her body effectively while playing physically against her opponents. She demonstrated quick, snapping passes when going D to D on a regroup and moved decisively up the ice when given the opportunity. However, Jones faced many challenges in clearing the puck during penalty kills. Jones showcased strength along the boards and in the corners, utilizing her body effectively while playing physically against her opponents. She demonstrated quick, snapping passes when going D to D on a regroup and moved decisively up the ice when given the opportunity. However, Jones faced many challenges in clearing the puck during penalty kills. Grade: B+
Merrill Delich #22 (Andover High School, D, 2024) : Delich impressed with her defensive prowess, showcasing great gap control and forcing turnovers in the neutral zone or dump-ins by her opponents. Her patience when exiting the defensive zone was evident in her ability to make quality outlet passes. She did not rush plays and consistently made a quality first pass. Grade: B+
Amelia McQuay #5 (Andover High School, F, 2025) : McQuay’s ability to box out in the paint and create space was a key aspect of her play. Always positioning herself as a passing and scoring option, McQuay showcased strategic reads through the neutral zone to intercept passes, contributing to her team’s offensive and defensive efforts. Grade: B+
Clairebella Hills #31 (Andover High School, G, 2026) : Hills, though smaller, displayed athleticism and solid positioning with good posture in the butterfly. She does seem to butterfly early and use it as a default save selection. However, she effectively played and set up the puck contributing to her team’s puck movement out of the defensive zone. Her athleticism is her main factor right now and no doubt over time she can continue to improve. There is a lot of potential to be unlocked with this freshman netminder. Grade: B
Maple Grove
Danielle Strom #1 (Maple Grove High School, G, 2024, St. Thomas) : Strom can really come through for her team and makes some game saving stops. She is strong in net and agile with great mobility. Her quick reactions and good glove hand keeps her team in games. Strom is relied upon in big moments, and she can rise to the occasion. She has improved and gained the confidence she needs to play at the next level. Strom exhibited a proactive approach to playing and setting up the puck. She has a solid positional game to make saves. While facing some challenges with rebound control, she quickly rectified the issues, showcasing adaptability. Strom’s on-ice presence conveyed a sense of size, and she effectively made herself appear imposing in goal despite being 5 ‘6″. The St. Thomas’ commit had strong showings in every viewing of her. Grade: A
Bella Shipley #8 (Maple Grove High School, F, 2024, Minnesota) : Bella is such a strong player. She is always going after it and making things happen. A team player through and through. She is strong on it and never gives up or gives in. She is dangerous with the puck and a threat offensively. Bella is crafty and skilled. She is smart and she knows how to put pucks in the net. Shipley stood out for her explosive speed and straight-line acceleration. Moments of exceptional puck control, resembling having the puck on a string, were evident alongside her significant reach. However, Shipley faced occasional challenges with decision-making when entering the offensive zone in our viewing of her. She has the high level skill to often make clean zone entries, but when her opponents work hard to shut that down, she needs to adapt and change methods. The Minnesota State commit continues to show high level thinking and play with excellent pace. Grade: A
Grace Erickson #24 (Maple Grove High School, D, 2024) : Erickson displayed an aggressive playing style, characterized by smooth skating and good speed despite her smaller stature. Notably, she excelled in executing excellent routes on the forecheck and showcased effective work in limiting space during penalty kills. However, Erickson also faced the challenge of taking too many penalties herself during at least one of the games. Grade: B+
Fiona Gallagher #36 (Windy City U19, D, 2022) : Gallagher’s contribution was particularly noteworthy during a 5v3 penalty kill, where she displayed an all-around defensive effort. With a head on a swivel and skilled stickwork, Gallagher effectively played body-on-body, disrupted passing lanes, and prevented second chances. However, her tight gap control and commitment to playing the body led to a penalty, albeit one that appeared to be a weak call. Overall, Gallagher held her ground well defensively. Grade: B+
Holy Family
Kayla Swartout #1 (Holy Family, G, 2026) : Swartout displayed quick reactions and athletic movement in goal, demonstrating a propensity to get compact to smoother pucks. Particularly notable was her ability to make herself big when moving laterally to make cross-crease or centering saves. With good positioning and speed, Swartout exhibited a skillful match against breakaways. She is still a young netminder carrying this team, but she showed a lot of potential. Grade: A-
Addy Cowan #21 (Holy Family, F, 2026) : Cowan has a really nice release and can be a strong presence on the ice. She has good vision and nice hockey instincts. She uses her speed and is a talented young player who has potential. She has the smarts and skills to go with it. Grade: A-
Katya Sander #5 (Holy Family, F, 2026) : Sander proved to be a key asset on the penalty kill, demonstrating quick and smart pressure. With good angles and the ability to take away the middle effectively, Sander, with her size and strength, was notably aggressive on the body. In many situations, she showcased both size and strength, bringing a level of physicality to her play. Her aggressiveness and fearlessness in contact will easily translate to the next level. Grade: B+
Lilli DeFauw #39 (Holy Family, D, 2026) : DeFauw exhibited strong defensive play, particularly along the walls, where she ran players off pucks and utilized her body effectively. Quick to apply pressure, DeFauw contributed to disrupting opposing plays.She always has sticks in lanes, sticks on pucks, and is forcing turnovers, errors, or panic plays. Grade: B+
Jenna Allen #25 (Holy Family, F, 2024) : Allen’s strengths lay in her anticipation and reads, allowing her to position herself effectively in offensive situations. Quick hands on the rush enabled her to carve through defenses to gain the middle. However, she faced challenges in getting lost in the defensive zone, an aspect that may need further attention. A high end offensively skilled player, but just needs some work for positioning in the defensive zone. Grade: B+
Josie Linn #18 (Holy Family, F, 2025) : Josie has the potential to be a top player. Sometimes she lets herself get down when things do not go the way she wanted, and you can tell it in her body language. She has good instincts and has the talent to play at the next level. She needs to rely on herself and stay positive. She does a good job off the draw and definitely has skills. She knows how to produce and contribute on the scoreboard. Grade: B+
Casey Cronin #4 (Holy Family, D, 2025) : Cronin showcased effective defensive play with good angles to the puck carrier and strong gap control. Her ability to position herself well on the ice contributed to her defensive prowess. She was not highly offensive, but certainly very responsible defensively and played a strong shut down role on the team. Grade: B
Ella Nonweiler #10 (Holy Family, F, 2026) : Ella is a good playmaker. She sees what to do and finds a way to get it done. She supports the play and puts pucks in scoring positions. She has good instincts and makes strong confident decisions. She has potential and is already stepping up and playing a bigger role for her team. Grade: B
Moorehead
Ella Holm #5 (Moorhead High School, F, 2024) : Ella has a strong stride and is strong willed. She creates and makes good things happen. She has a really good work ethic and is a team player. Ella does not hesitate and will do whatever she can for the win. With a quick release she generates scoring chances. She does not overthink things and pushes through no matter what. Ella is a leader and plays with discipline. Holm displayed strategic playmaking by drawing opponents to one side of the ice to create outlet options back across the grain. Her smart passing style was characterized by patience, and she avoided forcing plays unnecessarily. She often stepped up into plays and joined the rush as well. Grade: A+
Taylor Kressin #30 (Moorhead High School, G, 2025) : Kressin has had a number of great games so far this season. She played a phenomenal game against a strong Minnetonka team. She made saves from every angle and situation. Her confidence continues to grow, and she is a smart hard-working goalie who does not give up. Kressin does whatever it takes to get the W and to go home with the win. She does not get rattled or let her emotions overcome her. Grade: A+
Taylor Brueske #3 (Moorhead High School, F, 2024) : Taylor is a speedster. She has become so confident and capable. She is a talented player who has only gotten better. A hard worker who makes things happen and works for her chances. She is smart. Taylor had a beautiful opening goal against Minnetonka. She plays a solid game and creates her own chances. Brueske showcased exceptional stickhandling abilities, effectively navigating tight spaces with quick hands and making rapid assessments on the ice. Her escapability and agility were evident, allowing her to maneuver skillfully even in confined areas. Grade: A
Olivia Kortan #6 (Moorhead High School, 2025) : Kortan brought speed and pressure to the neutral zone, notably contributing to goals by forcing a turnover and utilizing her speed to outpace defenders for a quick snap inside the post. Her ability to apply speedy pressure and create scoring opportunities showcased her offensive impact. Every viewing of her shows why she is her team’s leading scorer, and it is because she gives no one time nor space and plays a quick transition game. Grade: A-
Kate Kosobud #15 (Moorhead High School, D, 2024) : Kate is a dependable player and defender. She is a stay at home D who does not take it easy on the opposing forwards. She keeps great gap control and forces the opposition to the outside lane. Kate does not hesitate to take the body and get her opponent off the puck. She does a great job getting the puck out of the zone and hitting her outlets. Kosobud stood out as an excellent skater in all directions, with a smooth stride and quick footwork on the offensive blue line. Quick off the wall and proficient in snapping passes on the rush, Kosobud contributed to offensive plays with agility and precision. Grade: A-
Ally Moszer #31 (Moorhead High School, G, 2025) : Moszer’s performance in goal was characterized by a low volume of shots against, but she remained alert and on top of her game when called into action. Her quality rebound control, athletic prowess, quick side-to-side movements, and solid positioning highlighted her overall goalkeeping proficiency. Grade: A-
Madi Hanson #10 (Moorhead High School, 2024) : Hanson’s focus on finding outlets to break out even on the penalty kill showcased her strategic play. With good angles for pressuring opponents, especially through the neutral zone, and impressive straight-line speed, Hanson played a key role in defensive transitions. Grade: B+
Clara Bernstrom #18 (Moorhead High School, D/F, 2026) : Bernstrom displayed strong lateral movement off the wall on the offensive blue line, complemented by a powerful stride. Utilizing her body effectively in puck battles, she demonstrated the ability to protect the puck and make impactful plays. The sophomore defender holds her own against older players and has a high compete level. Grade: B+
Lauren Heneman #7 (Moorhead High School, 2025) : Heneman demonstrated solid puck protection under pressure, spinning and using her edges to escape and evade. But she faced challenges with a number of moments after the fact in per puck decisions. While adept at shielding the puck, refining decision-making could enhance her overall effectiveness on the ice. Grade: B
Addie Salvevold #25 (Moorhead High School, F, 2025) : Salvevold stood out for her proactive approach in hunting pucks, employing a quick poke check, and adeptly picking opponents’ pockets. While showcasing straight-line speed and strength in battles, her pivoting and hard turns on the edges were identified as areas for potential improvement. Grade: B
Stillwater
Josie St. Martin #7 (Stillwater High School, F, 2024, Ohio State) : St. Martin showcased impressive open-ice speed, particularly evident in her solo rush on the power play. With a wide base to protect the puck, she displayed good instincts and vision to make challenging seam plays. She showed great offensive instincts, possessed a big shot for her size, and also demonstrated finesse in tight situations. However, she occasionally stopped moving her feet too often and faced challenges away from the puck. She tallied a number of goals but one that needs to be highlighted was when she picked up a touch pass, drove wide, and hammered a shot far side, showcasing her heavy clapper. Grade: A
Josie Lang #14 (Stillwater High School, D, 2024) : Josie is a strong defender and a reliable player. She is sturdy and keeps great gap control and good angles on the play. She steps up to it and stops the oncoming forwards. Her ability to defend in the D zone ceases the other teams chance of scoring. Josie does a great job offensively, creates chances and produces. She is a smart player who makes a difference. Lang,has some size, exhibited quality gap control with a strong defensive-minded approach. Above-average skating abilities and a display of escapability with quick hands made her effective in regroups and creating time and space during the breakout. Grade: A
Addison Finn #22 (Stillwater High School, F, 2024) : Finn pressures hard and is a team player. She creates chances and works for her opportunities. She pressures hard and causes havoc for the other team. She passes well and uses her outlets to her teams advantage. She uses the boards, cycles it and crashes the net for rebounds. Finn’s playing style was characterized by relentless efforts to drive hard to the net, often creating havoc and rattling the cage with her good size. She is strong and will hold her ground, making her tough to defend around the net. Her game may not be pretty, but it is powerful, and filled with the type of hard work play every team needs. Grade: A-
Lily Timmons #31 (Stillwater High School, G, 2024) : Timmons made some incredible 1st period saves against strong competition in Holy Family. She can keep her cool and stays calm under a lot of pressure. Quick to respond and react, she does not hesitate. Timmons can keep her team in games and gives them a chance to win. Grade: A-
Brynne Laska #9 (Stillwater High School, F, 2027) Brynne has quick feet and is a speedy player. She gets pucks into the offensive zone and in scoring positions. She is a younger player who can be relied upon. She could have a nice future in front of her as she is already showing her skills and confidence. She does not give up and creates opportunities in the offensive zone. Grade: A-
Grace Cheney #6 (Stillwater High School, D, 2024) : Cheney emerged as a penalty kill specialist, effectively utilizing her physical presence to take up a lot of space. With a strategic approach, she consistently placed her stick in passing lanes, disrupting plays and forcing errors. Cheney’s impactful play extended to hits and pins, contributing to eating up the clock and tying up opponents’ sticks. Despite not being overly speedy, her strong footwork and excellent positioning made her a formidable presence on the ice. Grade: B+
Olivia Dejarnett #29 (Stillwater High School, F, 2024) : DeJarnett contributed offensively with at least one goal. Her hard work on the forecheck, forcing turnovers and keeping zone play alive, showcased her hustle and determination. While not a strong skater, DeJarnett’s commitment to the play made her a valuable asset on the ice. Grade: B
Minnetonka
Layla Hemp #1 (Minnetonka High School, G, 2025, Minnesota) : Hemp did nothing unusual or unexpected. She was a rock as usual and gives her team a chance anytime she’s in the cage. She is fluid in her movements, quick, agile, and very athletic. She made tough saves look easy and easy saves look easier. It was a Layla Hemp show in net all tournament long. Grade: A+
Lindzi Avar #13 (Minnetonka High School, F, 2024) : Avar is one of the top players in the league. She is also one of the smartest players. She is so crafty and confident. A role model and a leader. She is always one step ahead. Strong-willed, Avar can make the difference in a game. She has got the all-around package and can do just about anything she puts her mind to. Her passion and talent stand out, and she is a lot of fun to watch. Avar emerged as a force at the dot, consistently winning the majority of draws. Despite her height, she maintained a low stance and exhibited quick hands in tight situations, demonstrating a combination of physicality and agility. Avar’s commitment and hustle were noteworthy aspects of her play. She is a poster player for size, speed, agility, and skill. Grade: A+
Kendra Distad #14 (Minnetonka High School, F, 2024) : Distad is a very talented and driven player. She is smart and can create chances nearly every shift. She is known to be physical and maybe even a little dirty at times behind the scenes. She is very passionate about the game and it shows. Distad knows how to create chances and can put the puck in the net. She will cause havoc on the other team and can disrupt their game. She knows her role and plays it well. Distad’s contribution included at least one goal, where she displayed excellent reading of the play through the middle of the ice. Holding offensive zone time, she created space with her skating and unleashed a beautiful wrist shot high blocker, highlighting her offensive prowess. Distad plays with excellent pace, precision movement, and high octane offense. Grade: A+
Lauren Goldsworthy #4 (Minnetonka High School, D, 2024) : A strong defender who has no problem getting to her forwards and doing whatever she needs to stop them. She can be physical and is strong on the puck. She keeps great gap control and does not give the opposition a place to go. Lauren does a nice job offensively and keeps the puck in the zone. She is smart and can be aggressive. She will get in your face and she does a great job getting pucks to the net. Grade: A
Senja Leeper #21 (Minnetonka High School, F, 2025, Bemidji) : Leeper made significant contributions with at least one goal, showcasing a quick transition rush, driving wide, and delivering a high snap shot over the glove. Additionally, her tenacity was evident as she hunted pucks, executed a great backcheck, and battled through opponents’ hands. She is strong on her skates and strong on the puck in protection. Grade: A
Lauren Mack #3 (Minnetonka High School, F, 2025) : Mack’s offensive contribution included at least one goal, where she demonstrated a 2v1 rush with corner-turning speed. Protecting the puck well, she executed a short-side snap shot over the glove while on the move. Despite her smaller stature, Mack’s speed, edgework, and quick release were notable aspects of her play. She creates space with her skating abilities and precision passing and shooting. Grade: A
Ruby Rauk #18 (Minnetonka High School, F, 2025) : Rauk showcased straight-line speed, heavy puck pursuit, and good positioning without the puck. In a memorable play she displayed quick feet off the offensive zone faceoff, winning a board battle and executing a skillful escape around the net before delivering a backhand sauce for an easy goal. She is crafty and creative with a strong vision of the ice. Grade: A-
Ellie Zakrajsheck #16 (Minnesota Walleye, F, 2025) : Zakrajsheck contributed with at least one goal. It was an easy put-in on the back door, capitalizing on a great pass by a teammate. But Zakrajsheck continuously goes to areas of the ice that she needs to be in to be successful. She works hard, finds soft ice, times plays to be in space, and wins ice to establish position. Grade: A-
Allison Ryan #24 (Minnetonka High School, F, 2026) : Ryan displayed good speed, consistently winning foot races, and showcasing an ability to be the first on the puck in corners. Her craftiness in traffic with the puck and willingness to engage in battles added depth to her overall playing style. The sophomore has a high ceiling and potential at both ends of the ice. Grade: B+
Sydney Boss-Krohn #15 – Sydney is a talented and skilled young player. She has good instincts and battles with the best of them. She can be gritty and has the speed to beat the opposition. She has good instincts and can make things happen offensively. For such a young player Sydney is already becoming noticeable on the Varsity team. It will be fun to watch her grow over the next few years. Boss-Krohn stood out for her impactful plays away from the puck, covering defensively and offering quick support. Her ability to angle through opponents, take strategic routes to force puck carrier decisions, and demonstrate consistent hustle made her a valuable asset on the ice. Grade: B+
Bella Finnegan #28 (Minnetonka High School, D, 2025, Harvard) : Finnegan’s explosive first step, aggressiveness, and penalty-killing prowess were standout features. She notably contributed to at least one goal with a great assist, intercepting a play and one-touching a quick pass to set up a teammate in transition. She showed lots of high Hockey IQ and good pace to her game. Grade: B+