Ella Bond ’26 has been named the 2026 Class A Herb Brooks Award recipient, as announced by the Minnesota State High School League.
According to the MSHSL’s official tournament story and social media announcement, the annual award is presented to a state tournament participant who strongly represents the values, characteristics, and traits that defined Herb Brooks, a St. Paul native who gained international fame as a hockey coach. The award commemorates Brooks’ lasting impact on hockey.
A forward for Blake girls’ hockey, Bond helped lead the Bears to the state tournament for the first time since 2017. The team finished as Section 4A champions and placed fourth in Class AA at state. Bond recorded three goals and 17 assists this season, but as her coach shared in the MSHSL story, her impact reaches far beyond the stat sheet.
“Her ability to navigate change with grace while remaining deeply committed to her home school speaks volumes about her character, resilience, and integrity,” Blake head coach Kristi King said in the MSHSL release.
King continued, “Ella does not measure her impact by statistics or accolades, but by whether the team is better because of her presence. That mindset is rare. It reflects humility, emotional maturity, and a deep understanding of what it truly means to be part of something bigger than yourself.” (Quotes courtesy of the MSHSL).
Bond, a senior at St. Paul Academy and Summit School, has committed to continue her academic and hockey career at Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts.
Congratulations to Ella on this incredible honor and for representing SPA!
