Minnetonka’s Layla Hemp was named the recipient of the Jori Jones Award, given to the top senior goaltender in the state.
Hemp emerged from a strong group of finalists that included Mallory Hartl (Moose Lake Area), Ida Huber (Dodge County), Taylor Kressin (Moorhead) and Zoe Rimstad (Academy of Holy Angels).
Hemp has been a mainstay in goal for the Skippers for the past three seasons and this year won 16 games and posted a 0.92 goals against average and a .951 save percentage. In her career she has a 44-5-1 record with 18 shutouts and a .947 save percentage. She was also the starting goalie for the Team USA U18 squad who won a gold medal. She will play college hockey at the University of Minnesota.
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.
The award is presented by Let’s Play Hockey and sponsored by the Minnesota Wild, the Minnesota Girls Hockey Coaches Association, and Tradition Companies.