Hermantown senior goaltender Bryce Francisco was named the 2026 Frank Brimsek Award winner Sunday, honoring Minnesota’s top senior boys high school hockey goaltender.
The award was presented during the annual Minnesota Mr. Hockey Awards ceremony at the St. Paul RiverCentre.
Francisco posted a 17-5-4 record during the 2025-26 season with a 2.68 goals-against average and .914 save percentage, anchoring Hermantown through a demanding schedule and a run to the Section 7A playoffs.
The 6-foot-1 left-catching goaltender logged more than 1,300 minutes in net for the Hawks and consistently faced some of the state’s top offenses. His steady positioning and calm presence helped keep Hermantown competitive in tight games throughout the season.
"Bryce was our backbone every single night, playing every single game this season and only missing four last season," said Hawks coach Patrick Andrews. "For two seasons, Bryce consistently carried our team, facing the best competition in the state. Bryce set the standard for goaltending not just in Hermantown, but also in the state, which is evident from his recognition as the recipient of this prestigious award. Bryce is not only a great goalie, but more importantly, he is an amazing human. I am excited to watch him as he progresses in his hockey career."
Francisco was one of three finalists for the award, along with Tyler Bacon of Rogers and Chase Jerdee of Minnetonka.
The Brimsek Award is named for Eveleth native Frank Brimsek, the Hockey Hall of Fame goaltender who starred for the Boston Bruins and Chicago Black Hawks during the 1930s and 1940s. The honor has become the state’s equivalent of a “Mr. Goalie” award, recognizing the best senior netminder in Minnesota each season.
Francisco served as Hermantown’s primary starter over the past two seasons. As a junior in 2024-25, he recorded a 1.67 goals-against average, .940 save percentage, and seven shutouts, emerging as one of the most reliable goaltenders in Class 1A.