2008-2009 List of Candidates for Minnesota's Mr. Hockey Award

Minnesota is the capital of the high school hockey world, and the most coveted honor a player can win in Minnesota is the Mr. Hockey Award. The Mr. Hockey Award is given annually to the state's best senior high school hockey player. The award is voted on by college coaches in the state of Minnesota, as well as NHL scouts.

Here is a listing of ten players with a chance at taking home the award, listed in order or likelihood of winning.

1. Nick Leddy, Defenseman, Eden Prairie

With Zach Budish's season-ending knee injury, Leddy became the heavy favorite to win this award. The Minnesota recruit should be the highest rated player in the state for the NHL Draft, and for good reason. His exceptional skating ability makes him a great defender and a constant offensive threat.

2. Danny Mattson, Forward, Holy Angels

Mattson is another player that should be highly-rated for the NHL Draft. He's an incredibly smart offensive player that should put up a ton of points this season. He's made a commitment to play for the University of North Dakota.

3. Tyler Pitlick, Forward, Centennial

Pitlick is one of the younger seniors in the state, and the only serious candidate that won't be eligible for this summer's NHL Draft. He'll lead what should be a very strong Centennial team, and with talented linemates in Willie Hess and Jordan Lovick, Pitlick should put up big numbers on a very high-profile team. He will play for Minnesota State next season.

4. Marshall Everson, Forward, Edina

Perhaps nobody will miss Zach Budish more than Everson. Everson is a natural goal scorer that has benefitted from lots of great feeds from Budish. Everson should still manage to put up a lot of goals on a very talented Edina team though. Without Budish, he should be the leader of this team, and could be in the mix to win this award. Everson is committed to Harvard.

5. Max Tardy, Forward, Duluth East

Tardy is an exciting playmaker that really raised his stock in this fall's Elite League by leading the league in scoring. He's committed to his hometown Minnesota-Duluth for college.

6. Ben Hanowski, Forward, Little Falls

Hanowski shoud be at or near the top of the state in the scoring race, but questions about a weak schedule could keep him from having a serious shot at winning. Hanowski is committed to St. Cloud State.

7. Dan DeLisle, Forward, Totino-Grace

DeLisle should get looks because he is an excellent pro prospect, and is committed to Minnesota-Duluth. Totino-Grace is a smaller private school that will likely fly too far under the radar for DeLisle to get serious consideration.

8. Zach Mausolf, Forward, Duluth Marshall

Mausolf is the most dangerous scoring threat on a very talented Duluth Marshall team. Duluth Marshall is perennially at the top of Class A, which garner Mausolf some attention, but his lack of size may keep pro scouts from taking much notice.

9. Tyler Landman, Forward, Roseau

Landman will be the leader of an always-tough Roseau team. He doesn't quite have the flair of some of the other top players in the state, but Landman has developed a reputation of a solid player over the past two years and should draw some attention.

10. Berkley Scott, Forward, Anoka

Scott is a big forward with the ability to put the puck into the net. He could be a sleeper pick to make a run at this award.