Luc Snuggerud, a senior defenseman on the Eden Prairie High School boys’ hockey team has been named the winner of the 2014 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, Snuggerud has averaged over a point a game during his career with 19 goals and 89 assists for a total of 108 points in 81 career games. This season, he has posted totals of 9-37—46 in 28 games as he helped the Eagles advance to their first state tournament since 2011

A captain this season and a three-time all-conference honoree, Snuggerud is also a finalist for the 2014 Mr. Hockey Award. He committed to the University of Nebraska Omaha in 2012 and is the second-highest rated high school prospect in the NHL Central Scouting ranking for the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.

“Luc demonstrates each game the passion and love for hockey that Reed Larson had for the game,” Eden Prairie head coach Lee Smith said. “He is well-respected in the state for both his on- and off-ice decision. He is a great captain and teammate to the Eagles.”

Off the ice, Snuggerud owns a 3.65 GPA and has volunteered his time with the Eden Prairie Hockey Association and Feed My Starving Children.

The 2014 Reed Larson Award will be presented by its namesake at the Class AA State Tournament Banquet at 7 p.m., on Wednesday, March 5 at the Roy Wilkins Auditorium.

The other finalists for the award were Johnny Austin (Benilde-St. Margaret’s), Cole Bjugson (Roseau), Travis Brown (Rogers), Alex Copa (Blaine), Luke Erickson (Minnehaha Academy) Louis Gerzin (Ely), Chandler Lindstrand (Wayzata), Kyle McKinzie (Duluth Marshall), Tommy Muck (Eagan), Tyler Nanne (Edina), Derek Olmschenk (Cretin-Derham Hall), Dylan Pigman (Windom Area), Chris Pohlkamp (Brainerd), Ian Scheid (Blaine), Connor Spetz (St. Michael-Albertville), Ryan Swanson (Holy Family Catholic) and Alex Trapp (Duluth East).

Last year, Jake Bischoff of Grand Rapids was named the inaugural winner of the Reed Larson Award.