Seven finalists for the Reed Larson Award were announced by Let’s Play Hockey Tuesday. The award is given to the state’s top senior defenseman.

This year’s finalists include: Finn De St. Hubert (Wayzata), Jimmy Dodig (Cretin-Derham Hall), Nolan Geerdes (Rogers), Graham Greeder (Hill-Murray), Nck Koering (Eden Prairie), Henry Peterson (Hermantown), and Josh Toll (Rosemount).

All seven players are committed to Division I programs.

Let’s Play Hockey created the Reed Larson Award in 2013 to annually honor the state’s top senior boys’ high school defenseman.

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 is based on consideration by a panel of Division I college coaches and junior league scouts and executives. The winner will be announced Sunday, March 9.

2025 Reed Larson Award Finalists

Previous winners include:

This year’s Finalists include (listed alphabetically)

Finn De St. Hubert – Wayzata – 6′-1″/185 (Yale)

De St. Hubert is a 4-time all-conference player in the Uber-talented pool of Lake Conference players, a 3-time Elite League player, and was named to the All-State team as a junior and the All-Metro team this season. Skilled, poised and smart, De St. Hubert will continue his playing career at Yale University.

Coach’s Comments: “Finn is one of the most respected players in the entire state and has been for a few years on and off the ice. He carries a 4.0 GPA and has started and worked behind multiple charity programs and community.” – Wayzata Head coach Pat O’Leary

Jimmy Dodig – Cretin-Derham Hall – 6’5″/205 (Merrimack)

The NHL is ripe with defensemen like Jimmy Dodig. The Cretin-Derham Hall blueliner has size and skill, the former seemingly a prerequisite for professional scouts these days. Dodig’s main strength is in the defensive zone where he plays physical and simply is hard to maneuver around because of his size and reach. But that doesn’t mean he can’t move well in transition with good hands and passing skill. He’s often on the ice not just when the Raiders need to keep opponents off the board, but when they are looking to get on the board as well. Dodig is committed to Merrimack.

Coach’s Comments: Jimmy is a 3-year Varsity player for the Raiders. Jimmy is one of our Team Captains this year and has thrived in his role as a leader not only for the D-Core, but for the entire team. Jimmy has played in all situations for our team and has become a great shutdown defenseman that also can contribute on the offensive blue line as well and helps run our second power play unit. Jimmy’s physical play, as well as his smart, simple decisions is what sets him apart from other defensemen. He is one of our top plus/minus leaders, as well as our top defenseman in minutes played. Jimmy will be able to step in right away and help contribute to Merrimack when he enters his collegiate career.” – CDH Defense Coach Brian Kilburg

Nolen Geerdes – Rogers – 5′-11″/180 (Western Michigan)

Geerdes has helped lead the Royals to their first-ever trip to the state tournament. An excellent skater with great vision, Geerdes can do the job on both ends of the ice. Whether it is orchestrating break outs or zone entries, his playmaking skills and hockey IQ are assets that are hard to teach. He has 10 goals and 35 assists and is the quarterback of the Rogers power play. He is also a finalist for Mr. Hockey and is committed to Western Michigan.

Coach’s Comments: “Nolen Geerdes leads our team in ice time every game. He’s an electric 200-foot defenseman that many coaches, opponents and players leave the rink going ‘wow.’ He has improved every year in all areas of his game, whether it be shutting down other team’s top players or running our offense. Nolen runs the power play and anchors the penalty kill. He is a human breakout when he has the puck and can escape the forecheck against the state’s top players. He can make highlight reel stretch passes but also has an electric ability to attack on the rush. He’s never missed a game, breaking the school record for games played at 80 so far. He is a highly competitive kid with insane natural athletic ability. He competes hard in practice and has an uncanny ability to live in the present moment wherever his feet are, a rare gift in today’s world.” – Rogers Head Coach Dave Brown

Graham Greeder – Hill-Murray – 6′-0″/183 (Minnesota State)

Greeder is a crafty defenseman who could probably be a high-point getter as a forward. But that’s okay, he gets plenty from the blue line with 14 goals and 29 assists. Another power play QB, Greeder is a smooth skater with good speed and playmaking skills. He does his job in the defensive zone and can be a force in the offensive zone, not just jumping into plays but leading them. He is committed to Minnesota State University.

Coach’s Comments: “Graham is a 3-year varsity hockey player. He is a very offensively gifted defensemen with great vision and rink awareness. Exceptional skating and puck handling skills separates him to a higher level from his peers.” – Hill-Murray Head Coach Bill Lechner

Nick Koering – Eden Prairie – 6′-3″/165 (Colorado College)

Koering flies somewhat under the radar because he is a stay at home defenseman, but every team, especially at the next levels, needs players like Koering who can shut down the rush, has a strong net front presence in the D zone, and can adeptly move the puck out of the zone. Koering is the younger brother of Ryan Koering, both with similar styles – not flashy, but formidable. Nick will follow in Ryan’s footsteps and is committed to Colorado College. .

Coach’s Comments: “Nick has been a mainstay on our blue line for the past three years. He is an outstanding defensive defenseman…we think he’s the state’s top shutdown defenseman. He’s improved his overall play this year and has rounded out his game. He’s always matched up vs. other teams’ top lines…is on our top PK unit and runs our top PP unit. There are guys with more points for sure….but I don’t think there’s a better defensive defenseman around. He’s also one of our captains and provides terrific leadership on and off the ice.” – EP Head Coach Mike Terwilliger

Henry Peterson – Hermantown – 6′-3″/190 – (St. Thomas)

Peterson is next in line amongst a list of Hermantown blueliners who have made a path from H-Town to the college ranks and beyond. Another D-man with good size, Peterson can do it on both ends of the ice. Like Koering, he is a shut down defender, but a player who can dash and dish when needed. As steady as they come, Peterson is committed to St. Thomas.

Coach’s Comments: “Henry is first and foremost an outstanding human being! He has a quiet, calm presence which has helped our team feel confident and relaxed. He has been the rock of our team every night, he has allowed us to be competitive all season even as our young team was finding their way through the first half of the year. Henry has been a shutdown defensive force while also adding offense on the line rush and the PP. Henry is tremendous in our zone making outlets quickly and effectively all while shutting down other teams’ top line.” – Hermantown Head Coach Pat Andrews

Josh Toll – Rosemount – 5′-11″/180 (St. Thomas)

Toll is a Mr. Hockey Finalist, one of two defenseman on this list along with Rogers’ Geerdes to make the list. Toll is quick and smooth on his edges and possesses good hands  and playmaking skills, but perhaps his best attribute is his vision and ability to always be in the right spot and make the right play. He helped lead Rosemount to a top-10 ranking this season. He is committed to St. Thomas.

Coach’s Comments: “Josh is a player whose Hockey IQ is off the charts. His skating has only gotten better and better over time. We as coaches always joke about him playing chess when everyone else is playing checkers. He has a unique ability with his game and how deceptive he is with and without the puck. He eliminates other teams forechecks and is able to see the ice better than most. We are very lucky to have a generational player like Josh come through Rosemount.” – Rosemount Head Coach Ricky Saintey