In hockey, forwards and goaltenders tend to get the most attention with their gaudy offensive numbers and highlight-reel saves, respectively. Meanwhile, on the blue line are those who play tough defense, guard the front of the net and start the offensive rush up the ice.
Let’s Play Hockey is proud to announce the 20 candidates for the 2018 Reed Larson Award, an annual award presented to the state’s top senior boys’ high school defenseman.
The candidates have scored an average of seven goals and 19 assists this season for their respective teams. All 20 players have been bound to the textbooks for the past several years as they check in with a cumulative grade-point average of 3.60.
Reed Larson, a native of Minneapolis, played on the blue line for Minneapolis Roosevelt High School and the University of Minnesota, followed by 904 regular season games in the NHL, most notably as a captain of the Detroit Red Wings. He finished his career with 685 points and is now enshrined in the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame.
The winner of the Reed Larson Award will be based on the following criteria: academics, community/extra-curricular activities, citizenship, coachability and, of course, on-ice performance.
The winner of the Reed Larson Award will be presented at one of the State Tournament Banquets on Tuesday or Wednesday, March 6 or 7 at Roy Wilkins Auditorium.
Past recipients: 2017 Dylan Samberg (Hermantown), 2016 Wyatt Aamodt (Hermantown), 2015 Jacob Olson (Hill-Murray), 2014 Luc Snuggerud (Eden Prairie), 2013 Jake Bischoff (Grand Rapids).
PLAYER | SCHOOL | GP | G | A | TP |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tyler Borsch | Maple Grove | 25 | 3 | 15 | 18 |
Nate Clark | Benilde-St. Margaret's | 26 | 4 | 17 | 21 |
Garrett Daly | Lakeville North | 27 | 6 | 20 | 26 |
Brehdan Engum | Burnsville | 27 | 6 | 15 | 21 |
Jimmy Fischer | Northfield | 27 | 3 | 25 | 28 |
Carl Fish | St. Paul Johnson | 26 | 6 | 16 | 22 |
Chase Foley | St. Thomas Academy | 25 | 20 | 27 | 47 |
Ethan Gauer | Farmington | 20 | 4 | 18 | 22 |
Andrew Hicks | Minnetonka | 27 | 4 | 15 | 19 |
Jeron Hirschfeld | St. Cloud Cathedral | 27 | 2 | 31 | 33 |
Luke LaMaster | Duluth East | 27 | 4 | 36 | 40 |
Kearby Larson | North St. Paul | 25 | 10 | 16 | 26 |
Parker Larson | Moorhead | 28 | 4 | 17 | 21 |
Tristan Larson | Bloomington Jefferson | 25 | 8 | 15 | 23 |
Hank Nagel | Mound Westonka | 27 | 10 | 10 | 20 |
Garrett Sandberg | St. Michael-Albertville | 27 | 9 | 17 | 26 |
Willy Stauber | Duluth Marshall | 26 | 10 | 21 | 31 |
Nick Strom | Breck | 20 | 10 | 16 | 26 |
Riley Zangs | Holy Angels | 26 | 1 | 7 | 8 |
Brady Ziemer | Holy Family | 28 | 7 | 22 | 29 |
Tag(s): State Of Hockey News Reed Larson Award