The 2017 Mr. Hockey finalists include many accomplished players, including four who rank in the top 10 in the state in at least one scoring category. Nine of the 10 finalists are members of teams ranked in the top 10 in the state in their respective class, with four playing on the top-ranked team in their class.
The two finalists for Frank Brimsek Award, given to the state's top senior goaltender, boast impressive numbers. One leads the entire state in wins, and both rank in the top 10 in save percentage while leading their teams to top 10 state rankings.
The Mr. Hockey Award is given to Minnesota's most outstanding senior player in high school boys’ hockey and is selected by a panel of National Hockey League scouts, junior scouts/coaches and college coaches.
Both awards are presented annually by the Minnesota Minute Men, and the winners will be announced at the Mr. Hockey Awards Banquet on March 12 at the St. Paul RiverCentre.
The public is welcome to attend and individual tickets are $40.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.minnesotaminutemen.com, email Jessica Jolly (jjoly619@gmail.com) or call Terry LaValle (218-929-1151) or Marty Mjelleli (507-351-0082).
*All rankings, based on the state coaches' poll, stats and records are updated as of Feb. 12.
School: Holy Family Catholic | Position: Defenseman
College Committed: Minnesota-Duluth
Anderson is tied for second on No. 4-2A Holy Family Catholic (19-3-1) with 18 assists and also has three goals for 21 total points. He tallied 15 points during a nine-game streak between Jan. 6 and Feb. 2 and has recorded a point or more in 12 of 18 games played.
School: Stillwater | Position: Forward
College Committed: Minnesota-Duluth
Cates leads No. 5-2A Stillwater with 38 assists and 56 points. He is also tied for second on the team with 18 goals, helping guide the Ponies to a 19-3 record. He is averaging 2.55 points per game and has contributed three or more points in 14 games this season.
School: Eden Prairie | Position: Defenseman
College Committed: Notre Dame
Leivermann has helped No.1-2A Eden Prairie to a 17-4-2 record this season by registering points in 14 games, including eight with two or more points. He ranks third on the Eagles with 22 assists and has nine goals for 31 points.
School: Delano | Position: Forward
College Committed: Maine
Meyers ranks second in the state in goals (39) and first in assists (50) and points (89). He has registered at least one point in all 23 contests he’s played this season for No. 3-1A Delano (18-3-1) and owns a 3.87 points-per-game average. Meyers posted four or more points in 14 games and tallied five or more in each of the Tigers' first seven contests.
School: Eden Prairie | Position: Forward
College Committed: Minnesota
Mittelstadt ranks second in the state in assists (39) and also leads the Eagles in goals (18) and points (57). He has points in 21 of 23 games played and has four or more points in six contests.
School: Grand Rapids | Position: Forward
College Committed: St. Cloud State
Miller leads No. 10-2A Grand Rapids (16-6-1) in goals (20), assists (32) and points (52). He started the season registering a point or more in 14 consecutive games, including a season-high six points in a 9-3 win over Warroad on Dec. 10. The forward has scored a point in 20 of 23 games.
School: St. Louis Park | Position: Forward
Neudecker ranks third in the state in both goals (38) and points (72). He averages 3.00 points per game, helping St. Louis Park to a 17-6-1 record. The forward has a point in 22 of 24 games played, with four or more in nine contests.
School: Elk River | Position: Defenseman
College Committed: St. Cloud State
Perbix has helped keep the offense rolling for No. 3-2A Elk River (21-4), recording a team-high 30 assists and 39 points. He has 13 points in his last six games and has tallied the game-winning goal in three contests.
School: Hermantown | Position: Defenseman
College Committed: Minnesota-Duluth
Samberg has helped No. 1-1A Hermantown to a 21-1-1 record, posting nine goals and 17 assists for 26 points. He scored a season-high five points in an 11-2 win over Greenway on Jan. 3.
School: Hermantown | Position: Forward
College Committed: Minnesota State
Sandelin leads the Hawks in goals (26), assists (32) and points (58). He began the season with an 11-game point streak, and now has a point in 21 of 23 games (a 2.52 points-per-game average). Sandelin scored a season-high six points in a 9-2 win over Mahtomedi.
School: Hill-Murray
Begley ranks fifth in the state with a 1.46 goals-against average, helping No. 9-2A Hill-Murray to a 15-4-4 record. He has a .941 save percentage and has stopped a season-high 34 shots in two games – once in a 2-0 loss to Blaine and again in a 5-1 loss to St. Thomas Academy.
School: Hermantown
McEwen has backed No. 1-1A Hermantown to a 21-1-1 record, recording five shutouts in 23 games. His 21 victories leads all goalies in the state in wins, and he ranks third with a 1.33 goals-against average and fourth with a .936 save percentage.
The MN Hockey Hub polls are based on opinion and not used to determine who is named Mr. Hockey or given the Frank Brimsek Award. The winners are selected by a panel of National Hockey League scouts, junior scouts/coaches and selected media members from around the state, and the honors awarded by the Minnesota Minute Men.