Last Updated on Thursday, 25 February 2016 12:23
Presley Norby, a senior forward on the Minnetonka High School girls’ hockey team, was named the winner of the 21st annual Ms. Hockey Award by Let’s Play Hockey newspaper today at the annual Ms. Hockey Awards Banquet. The award, presented to the top senior girls’ high school hockey player in Minnesota, is based on the following criteria: academics, community/extracurricular activities, citizenship, coachability and, of course, on-ice performance.
Considered one of the top players in the nation in her age group, Norby becomes the second player from Minnetonka to be named Ms. Hockey after 2014 winner Sydney Baldwin. She helped the Skippers to 21-4-2 record and their second straight Lake Conference title. Despite missing two games, Norby led Minnetonka in scoring this season with totals of 33-21—54 in 25 games.
The team’s captain, Norby posted 10 multi-goal games and 16 multi-point games, including four hat tricks. She was held scoreless only four times in 25 games during the season. A three-time all-conference pick, a two-time all-state honoree and the 2015-16 Star Tribune Metro Player of the Year, Norby helped Minnetonka to two state tournament appearances and one state title (2013) during her four-year varsity career.
This winter, Norby was a member of the gold medal-winning U.S. Women’s National Under-18 Team at the 2016 IIHF World U18 Championship. She also played for the U.S. Women’s National Team that won the Four Nations Cup in November. Following high school, Norby will continue her hockey career at the University of Wisconsin.
“Presley’s impact on our team is like Ovechkin’s impact on Washington,” Minnetonka coach Eric Johnson said. “She scores big goals. A lot of them. She is by far the most explosive and electric player in the state. She is the hardest working player on the ice. Every practice, every game. She is the most competitive person in any game. She is humble and quick to deflect credit to her teammates. She energizes our team with her intensity and compete level.”
Owner of a 3.75 GPA, Norby has served as volunteer for Mount Calvary Church, Minnetonka Big Sisters and Minnetonka Youth Hockey. She also was a two-year member of the Skipper cross country team.
“Presley is a great role model for our young athletes around the state and around the country,” Johnson said. “Despite all her championships and accolades, she remains humble, level headed and hard working.”
The other finalists for Ms. Hockey were forwards Carly Bullock of Blake and Sydney Brodt of Mounds View, and defensemen Katie Robinson of Dodge County and Mekenzie Steffen of Hill-Murray.
Past winners: Taylor Williamson of Edina (2015), Sydney Baldwin of Minnetonka (2014), Dani Cameranesi of Blake (2013), Hannah Brandt of Hill-Murray (2012), Karley Sylvester of Warroad (2011), Bethany Brausen of Roseville (2010) Becky Kortum of Hopkins (2009), Sarah Erickson of Bemidji (2008), Katharine Chute of Blake (2007), Allie Thunstrom of North St. Paul (2006), Gigi Marvin of Warroad (2005), Erica McKenzie of Hastings (2004), Andrea Nichols of Hibbing/Chisholm (2003), Ashley Albrecht of South St. Paul (2002), Renee Curtin of Roseville (2001), Krissy Wendell of Park Center (2000), Ronda Curtin of Roseville (1999), Laura Slominski of Burnsville (1998), Annamarie Holmes of Apple Valley (1997) and Winny Brodt of Roseville (1996).
The 21st annual award, selected based on votes from a panel of high school coaches and Division I and III college coaches from Minnesota and Wisconsin, is sponsored by Let’s Play Hockey, the Minnesota Wild and Shakopee Chevrolet.
