The Herb Brooks Award
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.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
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 KSTC Channel 45 and supported by the Minnesota State High School League and the
Boys and Girls Hockey Coaches Associations.
NOMINATION PROCESS
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
SELECTION PROCESS
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. The award will be presented on the ice just prior to presentation of the championship
medals and trophy.
WHEN YOUR PLAYER IS CHOSEN
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.
Herb Brooks Award Player Nomination Form
“He sacrificed for the unknown and truly had peace of mind. You know, I have always felt strongly
about the name on the front of the sweater being much more important than the name on the back.
They’ll forget about individuals in this world, but they’ll always remember the teams.
That is how I want to be remembered.”
– Herb Brooks as told to author Ross Bernstein in Remembering Herbie
Player: ___________________________________ School: _______________________________________
I believe that this student-athlete possesses all of the following characteristics, values and traits that exemplify
those of the late Herb Brooks. Please rank the top four qualities of your candidate. Rank in order (1-4)
____ 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
Please specify reasons to support this player’s nomination
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Player nominated by: __________________________________________
Head Coach
***** Fax this form and player’s resume to Skip Peltier (763-569-0499) no later than 4:00 p.m. *****
***** on Mon., Feb 14 (girls) or Mon., Feb. 28 (boys) *****
Thank you for your nomination — The Herb Brooks Award Selection Committee