MINNEAPOLIS – Let's Play Hockey newspaper announced today the 12 finalists for the Reed Larson Award, which will be presented to the top senior boys' high school hockey defenseman in Minnesota.
In alphabetical order, here are the 12 finalists for the 2013 Reed Larson Award (statistics through games of Feb. 27):
Finalist
Jake Bischoff Grand Rapids
Ryan Bittner Crookston
Tony Bretzman St. Thomas Academy 27 5 20 25
Chris Forney Thief River Falls 27 9 23 32
Matt Koch Hastings
Meirs Moore Duluth East
Matt Nelson Edina
Tanner Okeson Roseau
Parker Reno Edina
Jimmy Schuldt Minnetonka
Tommy Vannelli Minnetonka
Jake Zeleznikar Hermantown
The finalists have scored an average of nine goals and 22 assists this season for their respective teams. All 10 players have been bound to the textbooks for the past several years as they check in with a cumulative grade-point average of 3.46.
The winner of the inaugural Reed Larson Award will be announced on Tuesday, March 5. The award will be presented at the Class AA State Tournament Banquet on Wednesday, March 6 at the Roy Wilkins Auditorium.
In addition to on-ice talent, criteria for the Reed Larson Award include academics, community/extracurricular activities, citizenship and coachability.
— LPH —