Photo by Ge Lee

Gentry Academy's Alexa Hanrahan had a hat trick in the Stars' 4-1 state championship victory over Andover.

Alternative All-Tournament

A Janjet-style 2023 Girls Hockey All-Tournament Team

Though the Girls 2023 Class AA All-Tournament Team was made up of many deserving hockey players, there were a few additional names that stood out to us that we think deserve some recognition. Our Janjet All-Tournament Team consists of the best players at state who were not on the official MSHSL All-Tournament Team.

Chosen for their outstanding tournament play, the Class AA Janjet All-Tournament Team consists of six forwards, four defensemen, and two goalies.

Let's meet your 2023 Janjet All-Tournament Team!

(Stay tuned for the Class A JanJet All-Tournament Team later this week!)

Forwards

Alexa Hanrahan (Assumption University) - Senior, Gentry Academy (17-15-32)

What a tournament for Hanrahan. The senior had a total of five points in the state tournament, including a hat trick against the Andover Huskies in the state championship game. If that isn’t deserving to be on this list, I don’t know what is. Hanrahan will be attending Assumption University with her fellow Gentry teammate Rachel Agerter.

Isa Goettl (Minnesota) - Senior, Andover (25-46-71)

Goettl has been a major threat with the puck for the past few years now. This was clearly displayed when the Huskies played Rosemount in the state quarterfinals and Goettl put together a five-point game.

Andover's Isa Goettl (12), helped lead the Huskies back to the state championship game for the fourth straight season.  Photo by Arnie Hamel

Taylor Brueske (Quinnipiac) - Junior, Moorhead (16-18-34)

The junior announced her verbal commitment just one day after the state hockey tournament. Brueske is definitely a hidden gem. The junior had two assists in the state tournament and helped the Spuds win the consolation championship.

Ava Lindsay (Minnesota) - Senior, Minnetonka (25-18-43)

Let’s face it, Ava Lindsay has been headlining articles since she was just a seventh grader. Ava, the little sister of University of Minnesota sophomore Sadie Lindsay, has had an impressive career. The senior finished the state tournament with two goals and led the Skippers in scoring this season.

Lorelai Nelson - Freshman, Edina (16-21-37)

Lorelai is the youngest player on our All-Tournament team. The freshman recorded three points for Edina in the state tournament. Lorelai is on my watchlist for next year as a key weapon for Edina. She will be a circled name for most colleges across the country if she keeps up how she has been performing.

Edina freshman forward Lorelai Nelson.  Photo by Arnie Hamel

Lauren O’Hara (Minnesota) - Senior, Centennial/Spring Lake Park (37-22-59)

Lauren O’Hara had four points at the state tournament, and nearly helped her team to an upset of Minnetonka in the quarterfinals. O’Hara had a strong game against the Skippers. She held possession of the puck a lot for Centennial and scored a key goal, then assisted on the tying goal late in the third period.

Defensemen

Lauren Zawoyski (Mankato State) - Senior, Edina (8-11-19)

The senior defenseman was a clear force on the ice for the Hornets. Zawoyski is a sharpshooter, a skilled hockey player, and has a high hockey IQ, which will help her during her collegiate career with the Mavericks.

Ella Thoreson - Sophomore, Andover (3-7-10)

Thoreson has made quite the name for herself this year. The Sophomore is a very skilled and smart player who is going to be highly sought-after come June 15th. Thoreson had a huge game-tying goal in the Huskies’ 2-1 semifinal win over Edina.

Riley Reeves (Bemidji State) - Senior, Gentry Academy (12-11-23)

Reeves is arguably one of the most underappreciated defensemen in the state. During the state tournament, I noticed Reeves playing both forward and defense which makes her a huge threat. Reeves was one of the most offensive-defensemen in the state tournament.

Josie Hemp (Minnesota) - Senior, Minnetonka (9-31-40)

The senior defenseman tallied two points during the state tournament. The little sister of Gopher Superstar Payton Hemp is no stranger to state tournaments. In fact, Josie made two state appearances as an Andover Huskie during her freshman and sophomore years.

Goalies

Courtney Stagman (Saint Anselm)- Senior, Andover

Andover’s brick wall faced a little over 500 shots this year. Stagman found herself tested against some of the state’s best and she proved to be one of the top goalies in the state. Stagman had an eye-popping 12 shutouts this year. Saint Anselm will be getting an absolute star goalie. In addition, Taylor Koeppl of Holy Family will be joining Stagman at Saint Anselm.

Andover senior goaltender Courtney Stagman finished the season with a .933 SV%.  Photo by Arnie Hamel

Layla Hemp - Sophomore, Minnetonka

Layla has proven to be one of the top goaltenders in the country. Hemp played for the USA U18 Team this past year and has made a name for herself being the youngest of a set of very talented sisters. Hemp finished the season with a 15-1-0 record and a .939 SV%.

Lauren McQuillan can be reached at lmcquillan2023@gmail.com