The Minnesota Minute Men announced today that Riley Tufte from Blaine High School is the recipient of the 32nd Annual Mr. Hockey Award, given to the outstanding senior boys’ high school hockey player in the state of Minnesota. Nick Althaus from St. Cloud Apollo High School received The Frank Brimsek Award, in recognition of Minnesota’s top senior goaltender.
Chris Olson (Litchfield/Dassel-Cokato) and Pat O’Leary (Wayzata) received The John Mariucci Award, given to the Class A and Class AA, respectively, high school coaches of the year. John Bianchi (Bloomington Jefferson) received The Cliff Thompson Award, presented to the “Old Timer Coach” of the year.
The Mr. Hockey Award is given to the outstanding senior high school boys’ hockey player in the state of Minnesota and is selected by a panel of National Hockey League Scouts, Junior Scouts/Coaches and selected media members from around the state. Other finalists for this year’s award were: Wyatt Aamodt (Hermantown), Chase Ellingson (Breck), Will Garin (Holy Family), Cade Gleekel (Benilde-St. Margaret’s), Michael Graham (Eden Prairie), Tyler Jette (Farmington), Mitchell Mattson (Grand Rapids), Luke Notermann (Blaine) and Casey Staum (Hill-Murray).
Previous Mr. Hockey Award winners are: Jake Jaremko (2015), Avery Peterson (2014), Grant Besse (2013), Justin Kloos (2012), Kyle Rau (2011), Nick Bjugstad (2010), Nick Leddy (2009), Aaron Ness (2008), Ryan McDonagh (2007), David Fischer (2006), Brian Lee (2005), Tom Gorowsky (2004), Nate Dey (2003), Gino Guyer (2002), Marty Sertich (2001), Paul Martin (2000), Jeff Taffe (1999), John Pohl (1998), Aaron Miskovich (1997), Dave Spehar (1996), Erik Rasmussen (1995), Mike Crowley (1994), Nick Checco (1993), Brian Bonin (1992), Darby Hendrickson (1991), Joe Dziedzic (1990), Trent Klatt (1989), Larry Olimb (1988), Kris Miller (1987), George Pelawa (1986) and Tom Chorske (1985).
River Alander (Duluth Denfeld) was the other finalist for The Frank Brimsek Award this year. Previous Frank Brimsek Award winners are: Dyllan Lubbesmeyer (2015), Hunter Shepard (2014), David Zevnik (2013), Michael Bitzer (2012), Alex Lyon (2011), Zane Gothberg (2010), Casey O’Connor (2009), Joe Phillippi (2008), Reid Ellingson (2007), Austin Lee (2006), Alec Richards (2005), Matt Lundin (2004), Jon Anderson (2003), Josh Johnson (2002), Eric Aarnio (2001), Jake Brant (2000), Adam Laaksonen (1999), Adam Coole (1998), Kyle Kolquist (1997), Karl Goehring (1996) and Todd Kelzenberg (1995).
[Source: Minnesota Wild press release]
