Reed Larson Award

Wyatt Aamodt, a senior defenseman on the Hermantown High School boys’ hockey team has been named the winner of the 2016 Reed Larson Award. The award, presented to the top senior boys’ high school hockey defenseman in Minnesota, is based on the following criteria: academics, community/extracurricular activities, citizenship, coachability and, of course, on-ice performance.

A stalwart on the blue line as well as an offensive force, Aamodt has averaged over a point during his career with 24 goals and 68 assists for a total of 92 points in 89 career games. This season, he has posted totals of 5-33--38 as he helped the Hawks advance to their seventh consecutive state tournament.

A captain this season and a two-time all-conference honoree, Aamodt is also a finalist for the 2016 Mr. Hockey Award. He is the seventh-highest rated Minnesota high school prospect in the NHL Central Scouting ranking for the 2016 NHL Entry Draft.

“Wyatt is the best player on our team, our captain and our leader,” Hermantown coach Bruce Plante said. “As a player, he has a powerful presence on the ice, skates really well, is an excellent defender, and has good vision and offensive skills. Wyatt plays the game with great passion and goes all-out every shift of every game.”

Off the ice, Aamodt owns a 3.2 GPA and has been on the Hermantown High School merit roll and honor roll. He has volunteered with the Hermantown Amateur Hockey Association as a youth coach and mentor, in addition to devoting his time to the Outdoor Rink Rat program.

“Wyatt has been a solid citizen and good student at Hermantown,” Plante said. “He has been a great spokesman for our hockey program for the past three years. Wyatt has been unselfish in giving back to the youth of our community. He has a tremendous following of youth hockey kids who just love him.

The 2016 Reed Larson Award was presented at the Class A State Tournament Banquet at the Roy Wilkins Auditorium on March 1.

The other candidates for the award were Nick Austin (Benilde-St. Margaret’s), Tanner Breidenbach (St. Cloud Apollo), Shay Donovan (Duluth East), Erik Holmstrom (Farmington), Tyler Jette (Farmington), Lane Krenzen (Duluth Marshall), Nick Leitner (Bemidji), Tosten Mann (Fergus Falls), Wyatt Newpower (White Bear Lake), AJ Robbel (Bloomington Jefferson), Nolan Sawchuk (Burnsville), Jason Smallidge (St. Thomas Academy), Eric Stolt (Blake) and Tanner Vescio (Blaine).

Past winners: 2015 Jacob Olson (Hill-Murray), 2014 Luc Snuggerud (Eden Prairie), 2013 Jake Bischoff (Grand Rapids).

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.

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 1 or 2 at Roy Wilkins Auditorium.
 

Past recipients: 2015 Jacob Olson (Hill-Murray), 2014 Luc Snuggerud (Eden Prairie), 2013 Jake Bischoff (Grand Rapids).

Hill-Murray's Jacob Olson wins 2015 Reed Larson Award 

Luke Snuggerud of Eden Prairie named winner of 2014 Reed Larson Award