Moorhead's Olivia Kortan selected 2025 Class AA Herb Brooks Award recipient
Posted: Saturday, February 22, 2025 - 10:26 PM
Moorhead senior forward Olivia Kortan was selected the 2025 Class AA Herb Brooks Award recipient during the Minnesota State High School League's Girls Hockey State Tournament on Saturday, Feb. 22 at the Xcel Energy Center in downtown St. Paul.
Early in the 2024-2025 Minnesota State High School League Girls Hockey season, Moorhead senior forward Olivia Kortan suffered a shoulder injury. While it delayed the start of her final year of prep hockey, she refused to let it derail her from contributing.
From the bench, she cheered, provided encouragement and became the source of positivity that evoked team success.
“Her willingness to support others, even when she wasn’t in the spotlight, showed a depth of leadership that goes beyond individual accolades,” Spuds head coach Ryan Kraft said. “She understood that leadership isn’t just about being the best player; it’s about lifting up the people around you and ensuring the whole team thrives.”
For her exceptional leadership in a time of adversity, Kortan was selected as the 2025 Class AA recipient of the Herb Brooks Award.
The annual award is presented to a state tournament participant that strongly represents the values, characteristics and traits that defined Brooks, a St. Paul native who gained international fame as a hockey coach. The award commemorates the unending influence that Brooks had on the sport of hockey, not just in Minnesota, but throughout the world.
Kortan missed five games because of the injury. Upon her return, she was a catalyst that helped power Moorhead to the Class AA state tournament for the second consecutive year.
“Olivia’s skill set is nothing short of exceptional, making her one of the most impactful players to ever grace the ice for Moorhead High School,” Kraft said. “Her statistics alone highlight her consistent offensive contributions. However, her true skill goes beyond the numbers --- her ability to read the game, think two steps ahead and execute under pressure is what truly makes her a standout player.”
Through her involvement in Moorhead’s Leadership Academy, Kortan’s leadership skills benefit not only her team, but also her peers and school community.
“By being part of this initiative, she develops the qualities needed to lead in all areas of life—both in and out of sports,” Kraft said. “Her commitment to making a positive impact shows she understands the importance of leadership beyond hockey and how it’s essential to be a force for good in all aspects of life.”
