Bemidji senior Megan Berg wins 2026 Class AA Herb Brooks Award

Megan Berg, a senior forward and two-year captain for Bemidji High School, was named the 2026 Class AA Herb Brooks Award recipient at the Minnesota State High School League state hockey tournament in St. Paul, an honor given for "commitment to her team, as well as leading by example." The award, presented following the conclusion of the Class AA championship game, recognizes players who best demonstrate dedication to team, leadership, sportsmanship and inspirational play.

Berg finished the season with 41 points, including 16 goals and 25 assists, as Bemidji won the Section 8AA championship and made its first trip to the Class AA state tournament in 19 years. The Lumberjacks closed the year 21-7-1; team coverage notes the section title was the program’s third-ever. Berg’s single-game peak came in the section semifinal versus Roseau, when she scored four goals and added an assist in a 7-1 Bemidji victory.

Bemidji’s state-tournament run ended in the consolation final at TRIA Rink in St. Paul on Feb. 21, when Farmington defeated Bemidji 3-2 in overtime. The official box-line read FRM 0 0 2 1 — 3 and BHS 0 2 0 0 — 2. Emma Greiner opened scoring on a power play at 11:04 of the second period with a Greiner (Rupp) PPG, and Bailey Rupp extended the lead at 16:47 on Rupp (Bakke). Farmington’s Lexi Giller scored at 3:10 and again at 7:43 of the third period to tie the game, and Amelia Goblirsch finished the winner in overtime at approximately 3 minutes into the extra session, credited on the play as A. Goblirsch (J. Goblirsch, Risch). Bemidji goalie Lauer faced a heavy workload with 45 saves while Farmington’s Underwood recorded 39 saves.

Teammates received postseason recognition alongside Berg’s individual honor. Junior defender Millie Knott was named to the 2026 Class AA All-Tournament Team for her role in Bemidji’s run to the consolation final. Millie Knott and Bailey Rupp were also named to the Class AA All-State Team at the Let’s Play Hockey Banquet, with Rupp finishing the tournament having contributed a goal and an assist in the consolation match.

The Herb Brooks Award has been presented annually since 2004 at the MSHSL state tournament, tying Berg’s selection to a statewide tradition that highlights leadership and team-first play associated with Herb Brooks. With seniors Megan Berg and Taylor Bjerke graduating after the season, Bemidji’s program leaves St. Paul having secured a section title, a landmark first state appearance in nearly two decades, and a nucleus of recognized players such as junior Millie Knott and All-State honoree Bailey Rupp ready to anchor next season.