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The Herb Brooks award is to be given to the most qualified hockey player
in the state tournament who strongly represents the values,
characteristics, and traits that defined Herb Brooks. This prestigious
award will commemorate the unending influence Herb Brooks had on the sport
of hockey in Minnesota and throughout the world.
Herb “Herbie” Brooks is a legend. He was a man who not only loved the
game of hockey, but who also lived it. Countless numbers of people in the
hockey world revered him, and he was a tireless supporter of the sport.
Herb always had a story to tell about his hockey experiences. Sure, he is
most well known for guiding the 1980 USA Olympic hockey team to the “Miracle
on Ice,” but the story he enjoyed sharing the most was when his St. Paul
Johnson team won the state boys’ hockey tournament in 1955.
“Winning the state championship, that represented your neighborhood. I
would have to say that it was my biggest thrill ever. It was just the guys
in the neighborhood and that was special.”
That victory marked the beginning of many victories Herb Brooks would
achieve throughout his life. It was Herb’s integrity, his willingness to
take on a challenge, and his dedication that has left an everlasting
impression on the world of hockey. The Herb Brooks Award is fully
supported by his widow Patti and his children Dan and Kelly. It is
presented by KMSP Fox 9 TV and supported by the Minnesota State High
School League and the Boys and Girls Hockey Coaches Associations.
The head coach of each team qualifying for both the State Girls’ Hockey
Tournament and State Boys’ Hockey Tournament will have the opportunity
to nominate one player for the Herb Brooks Award. This award is open to
all players on the varsity roster. There will be one recipient in each
class for girls and one in each class for boys. The accompanying player
nomination form must be completed and submitted by the coach. The coach
must complete the checklist of desirable qualities that are associated
with Herb Brooks, plus state the reasons why the player deserves the
award. A resume of the player’s personal and hockey career must also be
attached to the application. The nominee must, in the opinion of his/her
head coach, represent the characteristics, values and traits that defined
Herb Brooks. This award is not necessarily intended for the best player on
your high school team, but rather for the player with the most drive and
dedication to the team, to the school, and to the community — and, of
course, to the game of hockey.
Characteristics, values and traits that each nominee
should possess:
- Truly loves the sport of hockey — A passion for
the game
- Commitment and Loyalty to the school, to the team,
and to the community
- Willing to make sacrifices for themselves as well
as for the team
- Integrity — A person of character
- Stands up for what he/she believes
- Goal-oriented
- Focused, very competitive, very hungry player
- Hard worker
- Willing to take on a challenge
- Mentally tough
- A skilled player
A committee of current and retired high school
hockey coaches, co-chaired by former St. Paul Johnson Coach Lou Cotroneo
and Bill Butters, a former White Bear Lake High School, Gophers and
professional hockey player, will choose the recipients. Nomination forms
and resumes should be faxed (763-569-0499) to Skip Peltier by 4:00 p.m.
on the Monday of state tournament week. The committee will meet both
before and during the tournament and will observe all nominees during
the tournament. The award winner will be chosen during the third-place
game for each class at each tournament. The winner’s coach will be
notified prior to each championship game. Members of the Brooks family
and KMSP Fox 9 TV personnel will present the award on the ice just prior
to presentation of the championship medals and trophy.
As the coach of the selected player, it is
imperative that your player attend the championship awards ceremony on
Saturday. He/she must be dressed in a respectable, presentable manner to
accept this prestigious award on live television. Have the player “dress
to impress.” Game sweaters or other school-insignia apparel are
considered appropriate. If your player cannot be present to accept the
award, it will be presented instead to the next-best-qualified player.
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2008 CLASS - 1A
Ashley Holmes
Alexandria
2008 CLASS - 1A
Bryce Ravndalen
Warroad
2008 CLASS - 2A
Emily Erickson
Grand Rapids/Greenway
2008 CLASS - 2A
Joe Phillippi
Hill-Murray s
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