Jack Peart wins Mr. Hockey Award

NSO – Don Williams

From Bill Baker to the late Scot Kleinendorst to more recent graduate Jake Bischoff, top-end defensemen are a through line in Grand Rapids’ place among the state’s elite hockey programs.

Jack Peart confirmed his place this season, receiving the 37th annual Mr. Hockey Award on Monday.

Peart, who has committed to St. Cloud State, is the first Thunderhawks winner since Avery Peterson in 2014. Peart is the first defenseman chosen since Eden Prairie’s Nick Leddy in 2009.

Peart scored 11 goals and added 24 assists and led Grand Rapids the Class 2A, Section 7 championship game.

He took the spotlight Monday on a stage crowded with exceptional blue line talent. Four additional defensemen were Mr. Hockey finalists — and that doesn’t include Eden Prairie senior Mason Langenbrunner, who was selected in the 2020 NHL Draft.

The other finalists were Carter Batchelder, Eden Prairie’; Cam Boche, Lakeville South; Jackson Hallum, St. Thomas Academy; Star Tribune Metro Player of the Year Kyle Kukkonen, Maple Grove; Luke Levandowski, Rosemount; Luke Mittelstadt, Eden Prairie; Henry Nelson, Maple Grove; Joe Palodichuk, Hill-Murray, and Joey Pierce, Hermantown.